Hi Edouard, I am installing a custom autosound 230 into my 64 skylark, with a 65 dash bezel, like yours. Did you have to cut the original opening in the dash plate for you new radio to fit? I am finding that the bezel from custom autosound won't fit thought the rectangular opening in my dash plate, and as a result the shafts of the radio don't come through enough to get a nut on them. Any help would be great. Thanks,
I had no trouble. (Re: FYI: Custom Autosound mods) Dear Beau and V-8 Buick audiophiles, Sorry to report that I had no such problems. Did you order your Custom Autosound specifically for your 64 'Lark? I ordered mine for a Skylark (even if my wagon is Special! ) I had no problems getting everything to fit. It has been a long time since I fussed with this, but I could go back and check my photos. As far as I can remember, the fit was a tiny bit small and you need to align the masks correctly to make sure the gap doesn't show. That's all I remember. Hope you can figure out what's wrong. Cheers, Edouard :beer
Thanks for the reply, Edouard. Yes, I did order mine specifically for the 64 'lark. I'll have to give them a call and find out what's up. I am going to get the dimensions off of the factory radio opening and post them to see if there is a discrepancy here. Cheers!
I spoke with Custom Autosound today and they are willing to send me a new bezel, based on my dimensions. The bezel I received originally that does not fit my opening is 4 1/4" wide x 2" tall. The width is good, but the height is too large by about 5/16". Edouard, would you happen to know what height your radio bezel is to fit through the stock radio opening? Thank you.
Trusty wagon stereo dimensions. (Re: FYI: Custom Autosound mods) Hi Beau, Hmm, something doesn't add up here. Of course it would have been much smarter to have taken these dimension while I had the dash apart, but since everything fit . . . . I didn't. Taking the dimensions off the installed stereo on the car, I get a width of 4-1/8" by a height of 1-5/8". The stereo is a smidge narrower than the openning, so okay, I'll buy your 4-1/4" for the width. However, I don't have 2" for the height by a long shot. I thought the 1964 radios and 65 radios were interchangeable. However, I sure don't have 2" of height. Could somebody have enlarged the space? Sorry, that's all the info I have here. Perhaps you should start another thread if you have more questions. You may need some help from the 64 guys specifically. Cheers, Edouard :beer
Beau, I am sure I have the original radio and bezel in my car. I measured the bezel in my '64, it measures 4-5/16" x 1-3/4" opening. The original am radio measures 4-1/4" x 1-11/16" face. I measured a spare bezel I have, and it has the same dimensions. I suspect CAS may have sent your stereo with incorrect face on it. I think they use the same chassis for several applications and supply them to customers with face for their vehicle. I'm not sure if it makes a difference between '64 and '65 since the bezel is flat on '64 an slanted on '65, but I noticed you have a '65 bezel in your '64. I had thought the two years used the same radio though. Hope this helps. BTW, nice car you have!!
Hi Edouard and Michael, Thanks for the replies! To clarify, my opening isn't 2", the bezel that was sent with the radio is. They will be shipping me a smaller radio bezel, the same dimensions as the opening that you guys have listed. I am all good! Good catch Michael on the '65 dash insert in my '64; I also have the original '64 that came with the car loose; a previous owner installed one from a '65 at some point, so I have left it as is. I actually also have a spare radio delete insert too - I received many spare parts when I bought the car. Cheers! Beau
Glad it worked out! (Re: FYI: Custom Autosound mods) Hi Beau and mid-60s V-8 Buick fans, A bit strange that the Custom Autosound guys goofed like that. However, as long as they send you the correct bezel - you'll be back into audiophile heaven soon! Cheers, Edouard :beer
...thanks for re-posting, had original bookmarked, but link failed after new board software. I'm surprised Custom Autosound doesn't offer "Sonomatic" as alternative to "BUICK" logo, I know Delco Sonomatic has been around since 1940 (had one). Looks like I'll have to make my own...
Dear John and V-8 Buick audiophiles, Unfortunately, it seems that Custom Autosound is trying to appeal to the broadest mass market they can manage. The 740 stereo has plain vanilla chrome buttons that would be harder to modify to look like a mid-60s Buick stereo. One of these days I will see if they can modify it at the factory with black buttons. If not, I might have to see if I can hack that stereo for myself! Cheers, Edouard
