Radio delete plate

[mkmskm]

Is there a radio delete plate available without having to replace the entire console? My '76 came with what looks like a period radio, big crusty speakers behind the seat and enough speaker wire to anchor a barge. Oddly enough, there was no antenna. I removed the speakers and the wire and really have no intention of ever hooking up the radio or drilling an antenna mount. I would just as soon remove the radio and put a plate there if possible.

[TJC]

I, myself, don't know if there was ever a blanking plate available since, from the factory, Spiders were not equipped with radios (it was a dealer-installed item, at least the early ones, I'm told). However, you can probably fab one or, better yet, try to see if Crutchfield or your local car stereo shop has a DIN plate that looks pretty good.

[DUCeditor]

My wife and I were discussing what to do with the never-used radio in our `77. The previous owner put it in and it is a particularly zoogly, early `80s, Honda model. She suggested making some kind of tray for my sunglasses. That's appealing. But since my car does have an antenna plus speakers cut into the door panels perhaps I'll just look for an inexpensive working model that appears period accurate.

The onlu music I need in my Spider comes from the motor, intake and exhaust. Bellisimo!

-don

-don

[mkmskm]

Mine has the speakers in the door panels but I plan to replace those so I can actually use the door pockets. I'm with you, if I want to listen to anything its going to be the sound of the car. I've never actually driven it with the top up. I've put it up to see that it goes up, but exhaust sound is all I need.

[DUCeditor]

Have you priced replacement inner panels? Gads!

Then again, anyone know a reasonably priced source?

-don

[htchevyii]

There was a plate, at least for the early models. I bought one for my '72 from spiderrey.

[BEEK]

fiat did supply a blanking pannel, its very rare, i have one somwhere but i couldnt put my hands on it if i wanted to. it has the same striped pattern as the metal in the speaker pannel, with an aluminum surround, all one piece, mounts using tabs, which fit in the slots in your original console. the 2000 spiders came with a color coordinated snap in blanking plate, plastic and vinal, matching the console color. not as rare as ive seen maybe 20 of those

[NJFIAT1981]

I have one that came with my spider when I purchased it from the original owner. He had everything including the window sticker and advertisements. I will look around and see if I can find it. Apparently Fiats came from Italy without radios. The sound systems were installed at the dealers. My friend Doug said you had 3 options for sound systems back then. AM , Am/Fm or Am/Fm cassette

[DUCeditor]

What? No 8-track?

-don

[BEEK]

8 track players were too big for the console opening.

[majicwrench]

I have the entire radio/speaker assembly out of my spider at the moment, and may leave it that way and mount the hazard switch and light elsewhere. Gives me a lot more room for my coffee cup.
I'm a DJ, and really enjoy radio, but so far have not missed it too bad in my spider. Never been on a long trip though.
Keith

[BEEK]

i dont have a radio in my spider as well, i would love to find an original delete plate, as i said ive only seen one in my life, i think i might have it somewhere but have no idea where. if anyone has another to sell id love to have it. early style

[NJFIAT1981]

Can't find the plate

[BEEK]

I have one that came with my spider when I purchased it from the original owner. He had everything including the window sticker and advertisements. I will look around and see if I can find it. Apparently Fiats came from Italy without radios. The sound systems were installed at the dealers. My friend Doug said you had 3 options for sound systems back then. AM , Am/Fm or Am/Fm cassette

bowman asteronix, was the brand offered by fiat rosevelt motors

[manoa matt]

Here is a picture of an original radio delete plate behind the installed radio.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigtimes_fiat/4887061886/