C1 Radio Console Restoration

[Mark P.]

The radio console in my 1960 was modified at some point in its life to accept a standard modern car radio which is a rectangle of 2 1/8" X 7 1/8".

What is the recommended way to restore this for an original radio ?

Should I buy a new console cover which I think requires bonding strips and is then fiberglassed in, or should I use fiberglass to patch the hole to make the opening smaller ?

If I patch rather than replace the console will the weight of a Wonderbar likely crack the repair ?

[Mike B.]

Re: C1 Radio Console Restoration

That console was never designed to be removed and replaced so no matter what you do, you will be messing with some amount of bonding cement or fiberglass. Note that the operative word is "mess"!

There is usually a backstrap mounted from the radio rear to the top of the dash to help bear the weight of the radio. Make sure that you have that in place regardless of the repair option selected.

If you are in pursuit of perfection, the only "perfect" recourse is to replace the console. But if you are really good at fiberglassing, a decent patch can be put in but you'll have to the glass the entire front and sides of the console with a new skim layer otherwise there will be inevitable "ghosting" along the lines of the patch, even if it doesn't crack.

I am sure that others will weigh in with advice, especially the, "been there, done that" crowd!

Mike

[Joe M.]

Re: C1 Radio Console Restoration

I opted to replace the console on my 1960 several years ago. It was a time consuming and detail oriented project, but not extremely difficult. I primered and painted the new console after masking off large sections of the interior. The new console turned out nice and I believe I took several photos of the process. Don't recall if I have the electronic files, but could scan the photos in color and e-mail them to you.