What are you early car guys doing about the dash speaker?

[daepp]

That is just such an awesome car and great color combo. I can't remember, is it the original paint?

[pwd72s]

Mostly original paint...I had the front bumperettes removed shortly after I bought the car in 1974. I preferred the "euro look" of no bumperettes. So, the front bumper has been resprayed. They still used the acrylic enamel when that was done. One fun moment was had some 5-6 years ago, @ the PIR historics. A guy asked me who did my paint. I replied "The factory". He then came back with: "Gee, it must have cost a bundle to ship the car over there and back."

[randywebb]

I was lucky enough to see it in person - it glows.

[svandamme]

i just finished installing a blaupunkt frankfurt radio
got all giddy about finally having tunes in the car , went for a drive
and realized that i can't hear the bugger over the engine...

or rather, i can hear it if i turn it on max volume, but then i can just hear it , when i shift.

i doubt that any modern radio will out scream the 2.4S screamer in teh back of my car, at least not with any sane setup that looks right in my early interior...

[pwd72s]

Bump & update. Just finished installing the two speaker set-up from the ebay source. Minor problem in the wiring...but easily solved. I had to file down a pair of male spade connectors from radio shack so they'd fit into the female ends of the factory speaker wires. I also shortened the "2 into one" leads supplied by Woody's custom shop. I then taped the connection to make sure they'd stay put. I'd say the sound quality is quite good. Certainly better than the original spreaker ever gave. Definitely NOT multi speaker stereo quality, but that's not what I was after. These are rated for 60W...I somehow doubt my original blaupunkt can blow 'em out... Bottom line? I'm a more than satisfied customer. For those who want their sounds to come from the original speaker location, this set-up is good.

[daepp]

I concur wholeheartedly!

[EarlyPorsche]

Ok on the early dashes like mine I think you have to take the whole dash top off to get to the speaker. Is that correct? If so how do I do this without destroying my perfect uncracked dash!? My current speaker is dead, it won't make any noise and I can't figure out how to get the old one out. Any help or tips would be great I am going to tackle this tomorrow.

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by EarlyPorsche
Ok on the early dashes like mine I think you have to take the whole dash top off to get to the speaker. Is that correct? If so how do I do this without destroying my perfect uncracked dash!? My current speaker is dead, it won't make any noise and I can't figure out how to get the old one out. Any help or tips would be great I am going to tackle this tomorrow.

No, do NOT remove the dash. The way to remove the dash is to remove the windshield first. The way the early speakers were changed was by removing the speaker by working from under the dash. (pre 1969 cars) I understand it's a PITA, but easier than pulling the windshield, then the dash in order to change a speaker. Because speaker changes were such a pain, Porsche finally made the dash with the speaker cut-out beginning in the 1969 models. Hope you got my PM saying essentially the same thing. I don't know what type of speaker fasteners you'll run into
when working on your back. Maybe somebody else here has experience with this? You might make a post calling for Grady Clay's attention. I'm betting he's done the swap many times when he had his shop. I'm guessing a 1/4" drive set and a LONG extension will be neeeded.

[911pcars]

I'd think one would have to be pretty rabid to remove the front glass and IP just to replace the speaker. However, if you're a period-correct type of guy, there's no other way.

BTW, I hear they've got this device called an IPOD. Provide one for each occupant and there's zero risk in cracking glass or the IP or introducing a water leak to work its magic on old sheet metal.

Sherwood

[EarlyPorsche]

Well I can easily reach the back side of the fasteners from inside the trunk, there is no access to it from inside the cabin. I will take a better look and post pics if I cant figure this out soon.

[dd74]

Dash speaker - Hmmm...might make a nice humidor...

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by dd74
Dash speaker - Hmmm...might make a nice humidor...

Right...I'm going to chop up my door pockets & remove the factory radio in order to get better sound? When pigs fly! Maybe you'd better educate yourself on the value of original longnose cars before making such a statement. I wouldn't hesitate to chop away if I had a '74-77. Guys, I bought my car in '74...the radio has never sounded as good as it sounds now. Early? Like I said, I'm not sure of the speaker replacement procedure on the'65-68 cars. Maybe through the trunk is the way. If you can see the four fasteners, there should be a way to get to 'em.

[EarlyPorsche]

PWD you are not reading what I write carefully enough. The fasteners are coming DOWN into the speaker from the TOP. Yes I can get to them from the TOP. Does this make more sense?

[dd74]

Hey PWD, I think you need to settle down and realize not everyone wants to just sit and admire their 911 in its stock form. You've always been the great proponent of leaving it stock (which I'm not certain your car entirely is). Yet, while you have a point, some choose to enhance and modify their cars in their own manner, and there is nothing wrong with that.

And no, I don't need an education concerning longhoods and their perceived value. I don't particularly like the look of pre-'74 cars, so they're of no great aesthetic value to me.

In fact, I like the longhoods so much less than the short hoods, if I were given the choice between a car like yours and another '74 (or '75-'77), I'd rip your model year apart much sooner.

[EarlyPorsche]

No mine is staying stock, except for the way higher than horsepower engine but I'm not cutting for speakers.

[pwd72s]

Look dd...throughout this thread, I said that this replacement is a good move for those who wish to keep their radio & speaker looking original. Why did you feel the need to butt in and push for an aftermarket stereo? It's your thing and your car...do what you want to do.

Early Porsche, I'll email a link to this thread to Grady. If anybody knows a way to change a '65-68 speaker without lifting the dash, he will. (edit) If it is a dash removal thing? I'd sure suggest some mods here...like fasteners that can be removed from below.

[dd74]

You need to re-read my post, old man; I didn't once "push" an aftermarket stereo. I quipped about a humidor. Do you know what a humidor is?

As is, I don't subscribe to stereos in these cars. I think the engine noise is sonorous enough.

As is, unless you didn't know, mid-years had dash speakers as well. Discerning from this thread's title that it involves only early cars is a short-sighted pretense on your part.

As is, your remark about mid-year cars, intended toward me, renders the fact that we disagree which is the more appreciated 911. Thus my remark that I'd hack a car like yours apart before hacking apart one like mine.

[pwd72s]

dd, I apologize for getting the wrong impression on your "humidore" post. Let's just write it off to the printed word not translating the voice impression. I should have known you were trying to crack a joke.

Early Porsche? I was wrong...the pre '69 dash CAN be easily removed without pulling the windshield. I just got the word during a phone conversation with a friend who has a beautiful '67.
So, I'm sending him a link...he'll post about the process. Once it's in there, I hope you enjoy the improved twin speaker set-up.

[sithot]

1) Open hood
2) Look for (2) 7 or 8mm nuts in the center section coming through the dash area bulkhead. You will have to look for these as they will not "jump out" and can easily be missed.
3) Remove them carefully because if dropped you may never see them again.
4) Open the drivers side door.
5) Pull on the dash. The trick is to get the two studs that you removed the nuts from to clear the bulkhead. The rest of the dash is held in place with spring clips.

The speaker will now be easily visible. You will likely find another piece of dash material laying under it on the drivers side. Under that you'll find your car's serial number in crayon. (Isn't this fun?)

When you've finished with the speaker, re-install the dash by aligning the studs on the front in the holes in the bulkhead and work it back into place finally pushing your clips back into place.
Tighten these nuts first because the dash will have a tendency (especially if you decide to re-cover it) to want to back out. These will hold it in its approximate correct position until you can push the spring clips in from the driver/passenger area.

If you want to re-cover the dash now is a good time. It's reasonable and turn around is no more than a 2 weeks.

Good luck,

Tom

Paul: I shall whip you with a "Cat- 0'- Nine" when I see you again.
Go to your room.

[c911s]

related issue regarding speakers....
PO removed door speakers and all wiring on my 73 targa.....
where exactly are the speaker wires supposed to go from doors into front underdash?
I have 2 - 73 911 targas. 1 is orignal (minus the speakers and wiring), the dash speaker insert has 4 treaded inserts for fixing down; mine did not have a speaker under the speaker insert or any nuts on the tie downs - tends to float out of the dash at over 90 mph....
the other 73 does not have a dsah speaker either, however the speaker insert is secured with 4 clips.
the 2 speaker inserts are not the same size.......
So I assume that the clip insert and dash may have been a replacement from another model year......
any thoughts?????????