1978 Silver Anniversary Radio Options

[Chuck G.]

Asking for a friend.

He has a 78 Silver Anniversary Corvette. Had an aftermarket radio in it, which he wants to replace with a factory "stock" radio. He tells me that an AM/FM/Cassette was available. He actually bought one at a swap meet, and was told it came from a 78 Corvette. However, it won't fit..

Looking in the Black Book, I see 4 radio options:

UM2 AM/FM stereo with 8 track tape
UP6 AM/FM stereo with CB
U58 AM/FM stereo
U69 AM/FM radio

I do not see a cassette option listed in 1978.

Need guidance.

Not familiar with these late C3's. Is there a 'tank sticker' or an option sheet affixed somewhere?

[Edward J.]

Re: 1978 Silver Anniversary Radio Options

Chuck, there is a tank sticker on top of fuel tank, sometimes if you look up over top of muffler you may see it. Also take a look in the strut rod bracket under rear diff. I found one on a 79 rolled up and tucked in there.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1978 Silver Anniversary Radio Options

Chuck, there is a tank sticker on top of fuel tank, sometimes if you look up over top of muffler you may see it. Also take a look in the strut rod bracket under rear diff. I found one on a 79 rolled up and tucked in there.

We can look at the strut rod bracket area. He has no intention of dropping the tank This is a really nice Anniversary car. Doesn't need much "restoration"..

In further looking at the Black Book, I see that a cassette radio was offered in 79, 80, 81, and 82. My buddy tells me he cannot get this swap meet radio to fit behind the console where it's supposed to be. Is the console area "different"

Does anyone know if there is a size difference among radios in 73-82 cars?

This radio he bought cannot be correct for this car as a cassette option was not offered in 78.

My buddy and I are solid axle guys and midyear guys. I know 68 and 69's too, but these "new fangled" later C3's are not in our wheelhouse.

[Jack M.]

Re: 1978 Silver Anniversary Radio Options

Is there a 'tank sticker' or an option sheet affixed somewhere?

Can't help you with the radio, but for $50, they can order an invoice: CLICK HERE

[Brad Hillhouse (37766)]

Re: 1978 Silver Anniversary Radio Options

Chuck -

The metal radio case (not including the plastic face extension) for late C3's is 7 3/4 x 6 3/4 x 3 1/4 with radio knobs 5 7/8 apart. Someone has said that passenger car radios that look the same have different knob spacing but I dont have any non corvette radios to measure to compare.

C3 Corvettes use a bolt/stud that protrudes from the passenger side that goes through a bolt on metal plate that supports the weight of the back of the radio so that it does not just lay on the transmission tunnel. Maybe check the measurements and see if the radio he has matches and you will at least you know if you have a Corvette radio or not.

Brad Hillhouse

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[Mark H.]

Re: 1978 Silver Anniversary Radio Options

1976 was the last year for the Corvette unique radio. From '77 on Corvette got the same generic (for lack of a better term) radio that went in all GM products.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1978 Silver Anniversary Radio Options

Thanks to all for the information. Sometime this weekend, I'll head over to his house and look over his radio more closely. I'll also check the dimensions. We'll figure out what we have.

He claims that he cannot find (or someone removed) any rear support for the radio, i.e. the radio would "hang" attached only by the volume and tuner knobs.. We will see, and I will report back.

[Tom E.]

Re: 1978 Silver Anniversary Radio Options

There is a 78 Radio on eBay with a number of photos. You may be able to use this photos for comparison. Don’t know if it’s the real deal or not but it has the original GM tag with part number on it for verification.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-78-1979-79-1980-Chevy-Chevrolet-Corvette-GM-Delco-Cassette-Radio-Aux-Input-/294521047847?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1978 Silver Anniversary Radio Options

There is a 78 Radio on eBay with a number of photos. You may be able to use this photos for comparison. Don’t know if it’s the real deal or not but it has the original GM tag with part number on it for verification.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-78-197...-127632-2357-0

Thank you for that link.

[Brad Hillhouse (37766)]

Re: 1978 Silver Anniversary Radio Options

He claims that he cannot find (or someone removed) any rear support for the radio, i.e. the radio would "hang" attached only by the volume and tuner knobs.. We will see, and I will report back.

Chuck, this is the radio support that is needed to keep the radio from pulling the plastic gauge bezel down and breaking it. This bolts to the passenger side of the radio and to a bracket that is part of the transmission tunnel and holds the radio up off the tunnel. The support arm is usually thrown away when an aftermarket radio is installed since it is much smaller and lighter than the stock unit.

Brad

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[David H.]

Re: 1978 Silver Anniversary Radio Options

Can't help you with the radio, but for $50, they can order an invoice: CLICK HERE

Chuck

Jack's link is to GM Archives. You don't have to guess what original radio. GM will send you a photo copy of that particular VIN's Dealer, Shipping Date, RPOs, etc. "Shipper Document for 1977 and forward Corvette"

Dave

[Brad Hillhouse (37766)]

Re: 1978 Silver Anniversary Radio Options

Chuck

Jack's link is to GM Archives. You don't have to guess what original radio. GM will send you a photo copy of that particular VIN's Dealer, Shipping Date, RPOs, etc. "Shipper Document for 1977 and forward Corvette"

Dave

No one is spending $50 on a 77-82 Corvette option report. That doubles your investment!

brad

[David H.]

Re: 1978 Silver Anniversary Radio Options

No one is spending $50 on a 77-82 Corvette option report. That doubles your investment!

brad

Brad

LOL! Now you're just being bitter!

Looking for a RPO YUN5 AM/FM Stereo Radio with Stereo Cassette Tape for my 1980. No joy on eBay with anything that doesn't look like a disaster.

Dave

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1978 Silver Anniversary Radio Options

I don't think my buddy will spring for the option report. I haven't mentioned it to him yet..........

BUT, I have information and photos.

First of all, this was the first time I've seen the radio closely, and this was the first time that I peered into the console area.

I "think" I see the issue. There looks like there was an intact "U" bracket screwed to the top of the transmission tunnel. The outer leg of the U is intact, and the side vinyl console bolts to it. It appears that the inner leg of the U has been either broken off or cut off. You can see the sharp edge where it used to be.

It appears that the radio support bracket would bolt to that part of the U bracket, then attach to the radio.




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Also, I checked the SN of the radio From what I can see, it came from a 1/2 ton pickup, a Tahoe, a Suburban, etc.

So, my buddy is going to try some Corvette salvage places to see if he can find a bracket. If not, he can "cobble up" something.

[Mike D.]

Re: 1978 Silver Anniversary Radio Options

IMG_5623.jpgfirst cassette player in 1979 according to the ncrs option list also. Here is a picture of one from my 1980. That first picture has to be newer with more bells and whistles on the cassette player.