1958 1959 Speaker Screen

[Richard M.]

I'm replacing a dashpad on a late March built 1959. The 1959 AIM shows the later flat screen with the bezel. I know there is no bezel on the 1958 & most 1959's.

I have installed the 4 Tee bolts in the dash, attached with resin to keep them in place for the speaker to attach from under the dash. The 58/59 screen has four holes. I am under the understanding that the screen sits on TOP of the dash and protrudes through the dashpad so that it sits basically flush with the dashpad on top......correct? Reference thread with photos.....https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...071#post467071

Can someone show the page in the 1958 AIM which clearly shows the proper screen installation?

It's also a bit confusing why the screen would have four holes in it, when nothing will go through them if it's installed between the dash top and the pad. If I place the screen UNDER the dash, up through the 4 Tee bolts, it sits very low under the pad. This thread says that's the way the screen mounts but?????

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?79954-1958-Corvette-Speaker-Question

Rich

[Roger W.]

Re: 1958 1959 Speaker Screen

When the bezel and screen are used, the tee bolts are not used because the bezel studs hold the speaker. The bezel goes on top of the dash. Attached is a copy of the Radio Receiver and Speaker Fig. 2.C1 Radio Speaker.jpg

[Stephen R.]

Re: 1958 1959 Speaker Screen

Richard:

A little OT but my car is a late March 59 build (3/26/59 serial #5823), what's yours?

[Richard M.]

Re: 1958 1959 Speaker Screen

It is owned by a friend....#5906(3/27/59). I also own a '59....#5504(3/17/59). Mine has the screen with no bezel. Picture in this post from above link.

Rich
p.s. still curious what the '58 AIM shows for the screen installation details.

[Stephen R.]

Re: 1958 1959 Speaker Screen

Thanks

Steve

[Loren L.]

Re: 1958 1959 Speaker Screen

If you had to install the "Tee" bolts in the dash AND there was no sign that they had been removed by some prior owner, I would use that as an "indicator" that the car was built with a sreen and bezel. In cars without a bezel, the 4 "tees" were part of the dash. At one time the replacement dash pads were too thick in this area and the only way to level the screen with the pad was to remove the "tees", mount the screen on top of the dash and drop a screw from the top. This would level the pad.
You may be close to revealing the time of the running change, between your 55XX car and your friends 59XX car.

I'm replacing a dashpad on a late March built 1959. The 1959 AIM shows the later flat screen with the bezel. I know there is no bezel on the 1958 & most 1959's.

I have installed the 4 Tee bolts in the dash, attached with resin to keep them in place for the speaker to attach from under the dash. The 58/59 screen has four holes. I am under the understanding that the screen sits on TOP of the dash and protrudes through the dashpad so that it sits basically flush with the dashpad on top......correct? Reference thread with photos.....https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...071#post467071

Can someone show the page in the 1958 AIM which clearly shows the proper screen installation?

It's also a bit confusing why the screen would have four holes in it, when nothing will go through them if it's installed between the dash top and the pad. If I place the screen UNDER the dash, up through the 4 Tee bolts, it sits very low under the pad. This thread says that's the way the screen mounts but?????

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?79954-1958-Corvette-Speaker-Question

Rich

[Barry A.]

Re: 1958 1959 Speaker Screen

I am restoring my almost completely original 59, #6026, March 31st. (2nd owner, purchased 1970). I will be replacing the dash pad at some point. This car never had the bezel although I purchased one from GM back in the 70's. At that time I had planned to install it because as I remember the pad around the speaker even then was lifting a bit and just didn't look right. Of course I never got around to it. Now, as I try to decide just how "correct" I want to be (no plans for judging) I have to think about whether or not I should install the bezel. Leaning toward not at the moment. I have seen a lot of 59's that have the bezel, many were probably added for the same lifting pad reason that I observed. BTW, I love finding cars close to mine in assembly date. Have been in contact with the guy who owns #6020. He restored it with his dad years ago, sent me pics and it is a beautiful driver.

[Mike E.]

Re: 1958 1959 Speaker Screen

#6640, two-owner, original dash pad still installed, has no bezel.

If you had to install the "Tee" bolts in the dash AND there was no sign that they had been removed by some prior owner, I would use that as an "indicator" that the car was built with a sreen and bezel. In cars without a bezel, the 4 "tees" were part of the dash. At one time the replacement dash pads were too thick in this area and the only way to level the screen with the pad was to remove the "tees", mount the screen on top of the dash and drop a screw from the top. This would level the pad.
You may be close to revealing the time of the running change, between your 55XX car and your friends 59XX car.

[Edward L.]

Re: 1958 1959 Speaker Screen

I owned 1959 #965x (Last day of production). The car had its original dash pad. No bezel.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1958 1959 Speaker Screen

Thanks for the info guys.......

Loren, yes that would have been possible but not in this case. The dashpad on this car was replaced once before back in the late 80's, and my friend who owns it had the bezel installed then. He said when he got the car in the 70's, it had it's original dashpad, screen with no bezel. Now he wants it back to the original "no-bezel" screen setup. There was evidence of the Tee bolts previously there as it showed impressions of the Tee bolts in old resin. Obviously they removed them when the dashpad was changed before.

Again, still curious what the '58 AIM shows for the screen installation details, confirming that the screen sits between the top of the dash and the bottom of the dashpad.

Thanks,
Rich

[Barry A.]

Re: 1958 1959 Speaker Screen

My understanding has been (from reading threads and other resources) that none of the 59s had the bezel, as Edward's comment seems to confirm. I tend to use the bezel as one of the quick visual tests when I see a 59 or 60 to identify it; Bezel, rib pattern of seats, and wheel color. Thanks to Mike... looks like mine is only a little more than 2 weeks older than yours! Not sure why exactly but I think its cool to find cars made within days of each other. Also, my daughter and I created a blog for our progress on our car. On her urging to do a father-daughter project we started last year, winter put on hold but will post update soon. Visit at vette59.com. Warning, we are NOT experts (or selling anything), just having fun and trying to be thoughtful about what we do.

[Bill M.]

Re: 1958 1959 Speaker Screen

Again, still curious what the '58 AIM shows for the screen installation details, confirming that the screen sits between the top of the dash and the bottom of the dashpad.Rich

The screen sits under the dash from St. Louis. I removed mine and installed the bezel design because the pad edge was curling; looked awful.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1958 1959 Speaker Screen

The screen sits under the dash from St. Louis. I removed mine and installed the bezel design because the pad edge was curling; looked awful.

Bill, I just checked my own '59. The screen is above the dash, under the dashpad. On the other '59, I just installed the screen under the dash(see 1st 2 photos). From the base of the forward 2 Tee nut depressions, it measures 5/8" to the top of the dash. From the base of the rearward 2 Tee nut depressions, it measures 3/8" to the top of the dash.

The screen, however, is only 3/8" high. If installed under the dash, the screen will be 1/4" below the dashpad at the front. Also, I can see the dash peeking through the space between the oval in the pad and the screen. This doesn't seem right.

I then placed the screen between the dash and dashpad. See 4th photo.

Rich
ps still would like to see that 58 AIM page.

[Mike E.]

Re: 1958 1959 Speaker Screen

Terminology seems to be important: under the PAD, above the DASH is where it should be.

[Bill M.]

Re: 1958 1959 Speaker Screen

Terminology seems to be important: under the PAD, above the DASH is where it should be.

Rich and Mike:

Not on my non-radio '59.

I couldn't have gotten the original screen out if it were installed on top of the dash. I removed the original screen and installed the bezel design without disturbing the original pad (except for punching holes for the bezel studs).

The t-bolts are supposed to fit in the recesses of the dash.



If the screen were installed on top of the dash, with the t-bolts on top of the screen, the screen would be deformed into the dash recesses.



My original screen shows no such deformation.



I suppose the screen could be installed without fasteners going through the holes, but why are there holes? edit: And why would my non-radio car have t-bolts installed?

However, I would install mine on top of the dash if that's how it fit best. I'll probably use the bezel design and avoid the issue.

Bill