Topic: OEM '65 Radio?

[drummingrocks]

Hi guys, I was just checking out Mustangs on eBay, and I ran across this 6-cyl '65 coupe.  The radio caught my eye.  It appears to be a factory radio, but has the words "All Transistor" stamped on the face.  I'd never seen a radio like this.  Is this a factory radio?

Here's a pic of the radio:


And a link to the complete auction:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-Ford-Mustang-Coup-Project-Car-/121514352877?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

[CharlesTurner]

It's an aftermarket radio that dealers would install.  Guess it saved a couple bucks to order a car without a radio and then install the aftermarket kit.  They are period-correct, but just not factory-correct.

Seen original cars with these have different style antennas than factory style also.

[drummingrocks]

It's an aftermarket radio that dealers would install.  Guess it saved a couple bucks to order a car without a radio and then install the aftermarket kit.  They are period-correct, but just not factory-correct.

Ok, that makes sense.  At a glance, that radio is a dead ringer for an OEM radio.  It's probably the closest aftermarket radio I've seen.

[jwc66k]

It's an aftermarket radio that dealers would install.

I ordered my first five Fords (1964 thru 79) without radios and bought the radio from an electronics store.

Guess it saved a couple bucks to order a car without a radio and then install the aftermarket kit. 

The prices were usually half of the factory radio price, $24.95, an antenna was about $5.

They are period-correct, but just not factory-correct.

The radios I bought were Philco or Motorola without any visible identification.
There was an instruction sheet and as "do-it-myself" type, installation was a breeze. I wished I held on to the radio delete panel.
Jim
 

[JKWilson]

I ordered my first five Fords (1964 thru 79) without radios and bought the radio from an electronics store.The prices were usually half of the factory radio price, $24.95, an antenna was about $5.The radios I bought were Philco or Motorola without any visible identification.
There was an instruction sheet and as "do-it-myself" type, installation was a breeze. I wished I held on to the radio delete panel.
Jim

Did the same thing when I ordered my '86 GT. It was ordered in Oct '85 so the salesman wasn't even sure of the the availability of some  things I wanted. He thought I was crazy when I checked off the radio delete. I put twice the stereo in it for less than half of the credit I got. Even though the radio and antenna locations had block off plates, they still installed all of the speakers!

[J_Speegle]

Seen allot of those over the years installed in 65-66

Many of the period aftermarkets were pretty to very close looking when compared to the factory ones as mentioned

Here is an ad from 68 with just what one company offered