Here is some information from Ford on this subject.
From a 1967 owners manual
Rear Seat Speaker (page 24)
A rear seat speaker is an optional accessory for all models with either the AM radio or the AM-FM radio.
A fader control tab for the accessory rear seat speaker is located behind the manual tuning knob. Rotate this tab fully in one direction to operate the front speaker. Rotating the knob in the other direction operates the rear speaker. At a point midway between the rotaion of full front or rear operation, both speakers will operate with an equal output.
Studio Sonic Rear Seat Speaker (page 25)
The optional Studio Sonic Rear Seat Speaker is operated by the radio fader control (small tab located behind the station selector knob) and a foot switch located near the headlight dimmer switch. To operate, turn the radio on and tune in a station, adjust the radio fader control for the desired balance between the front and rear speakers, then depress the foot switch.
From a 1967 Cougar Accessories and Optional Equipment brochure.
Studio Sonic Rear Seat Speakers
Reverberator system for concert hall Fidelity. (N/A with stereo tape systems.)
Dealer installed
Basic part No 18875
From a 1968 owners manual.
Speaker Fader Control (page 23)
The front to rear fader control is located to the right of the steering column on the lower area of the instrument panel. It balances the front and rear speakers for the most pleasing sound effect.
Rear Seat Speakers (page 24)
A fader control for the accessory rear seat speaker for the AM radio is located behind the manual tuning knob. Rotate ring type knob fully in one direction to operate the front speaker. Rotating the control in the other direction operates the rear speaker. At a point midway between the rotation for full front or rear operation, both speakers will operate with an equal output.
Although I very much appreciate all the responses, my question has yet to be answered.
If you ordered a 68 with an AM/FM Stereo, without a fader, where were the speakers mounted? Anyone have a pic?
Attached is a picture of the speakers that mounted behind kick panels. They went in cutouts in the cowl and the plastic pod was exposed behind the front fender. it’s my understanding these were on 8 track and AM/FM stereo cars. Pic is from a set I got from a parts car-if somebody needs them PM me.
Phillip,
Those are the correct factory speakers and perforated kick panel. You should be able to look between the open door and fender and see the plastic boxes that protect the speakers. The radio looks different then other AM/FMs I’ve seen for 68. Usually next to the word STEREO would be AM and FM. The sliding knob would make sense as a fader or balance between left/right. But I thought the right outer knob usually is the balance control (left/right). I’ll have to look at the owners manual to see if this radio is shown.
Thanks Jim - when you slide the “Stereo” bar to the right or left it reveals “FM” or “AM” silkscreened onto the clear plastic face in white like the rest of the numbers. The camera flash in my photo makes the “FM” hard to see.
It does look different from any radio pictured in the '68 Cougar owner’s manual.
Phillip, I think you have a 71 and up AM/FM radio. They look very similar to the 68, so if you don’t mind it then keep it in place. I was looking for a proper 69 AM/FM for Heather’s 69 XR-7 convertible to allow her to get a special collector vehicle qualification (and much cheaper insurance rate). The 69 specific radios were pretty expensive so we went with a 71+ version as they are very similar visually (and that is all that was required to get the status).
Actually the triangular connector under the dash is to allow factory installation of the optional rear defogger. Ditto the package shelf end of the harness.
I’ve looked at this and have not found any way to get rear speakers from the factory.
The only way that would happen plausibly were if you had the factory option for the (68 only) AM-FM stereo. Then the customer would have the dealer install the optional stand alone 8 track player, which would necessitate installing separate rear speakers to avoid backfeeding the AM- FM stereo.
You could get the optional reverberation unit in either '67 or '68 which worked only with the AM radio. This would install a single rear speaker, along with the mono fader control shown in one of the photos in this thread. There was not a stereo fader control, and there was no option that provided any way to hook up four speakers…
Thanks to all. The 68’s had the kick panel cans when the stereo was ordered. Had no correlation with the Fader option. My original question was answered with the pictures. FYI, same as the Fairlane/Torino line.
