Hi,
I have been trying to locate an original AM/eight track radio for my '69 Cougar XR7 convertible. I’m not really sure what the radio is supposed to look like, so any pictures of one installed in a car would be a big help. I need to know what years use the same radio/eight track. I was given one from my brother who has a 1970 Mustang convertible, only this radio has a 1972 (D2ZA-19A242) part number. This radio has five push buttons on top for the tuner selection, but doesn’t fit a standard Cougar radio bezel. Did the eight track radios used in Cougars have a different radio bezel? Make sense that they would have to have a larger hole. Did the Cougar radio/eight tracks have anything written on them, like the make (Philco?) or the word Cougar on the eight track door? Any help would be very much appreciated as I have checked all kinds of forums and have found nothing. If the D2ZA radio/eight track I have is the same, I only have two of the five push buttons on the top and require some if any one has a parts radio. I would also need the radio bezel used for AM/eight tracks. Thanks again for any help!
As I recall, the 1969 and 1970 are close to the same but not quite. The 70 has COUGAR on the tape door. the 69 does not. Each year got there own radios and they are part numbered as such. For the most part you can mix and match units and nearly no one will know. I know the 71 and up AM/FMs work in 69/70 standard radio bezels. But have never looked at the 8 tracks.
Unfortunately “Out of Stock” at WCCC
Last Spring I converted a 72 AM/8 track to fit my 70 XR7. Radios look exactly the same. Same size bezel opening as I recall but you need to alter the knob shafts. 72’s are longer. Since such soft metal you can shorten them and file a flat spot on the shaft for the knob to fit. Pretty simple task just don’t be too aggressive while shortening the tone and balance part of the shaft. . You can PM me and I can get you pics. I think I saved them of the process.
Thanks for the input on the eight track question. I have successfully scored a '69 Cougar AM/eight track for my XR7 convertible. And yes, they use the same face plate as the non eight track radios. “Badcatt” was correct, the 1970 model eight tracks had the Cougar script on the eight track door whereas the 1969 didn’t. The 1971 and newer eight tracks have the push buttons higher on the face of the radio, at least they did on the 1972 (D2ZA-19A242) eight track I had did, and my stock '69 face plate wouldn’t fit over this radio’s buttons. Thanks for this great forum site!