63 AM / FM Radio VIN

[Tim S.]

How early is your 63 AM / FM radio car. I have purchased 3532 and is equiped with an AM/ FM radio. According to Noland Adams this car is way too early for an AM / FM radio. I just wanted to ask before I start looking for the correct AM unit.

Thanks,

Tim

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 AM / FM Radio VIN

11750 is the approximate cross over from AM to AM/FM.

[Michael B.]

Re: 63 AM / FM Radio VIN

My '63 (11363) is AM/FM.

[Michael B.]

Re: 63 AM / FM Radio VIN

My '63 (11363) is AM/FM.

[Norm B.]

Re: 63 AM / FM Radio VIN

Tim,

I have 2507 and when I bought it in '83 it had an AM/FM in it. Like yours, my car is way to early to have an AM/FM. I managed to find a working AM Wonderbar at Carlisle many years ago but it is sitting on the shelf with the AM/FM as I put in an aftermarket unit for driving around.

These are easy swaps and I think it was a common thing to do back in the day in order to get FM reception. The AM/FM was probably relatively easy to get at the time as well.

Just try and find a good working AM Wonderbar today, although I did see a couple at Carlisle this year. They are still out there but you just may have to arrange a second mortgage to buy one.

Norm

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 AM / FM Radio VIN

Here is my logic.

1963 AM/FM radios have a paper sticker id tag. The sequence started at 86FMA-0001 to 86FMA-9999. Then cycled to 86FMB-0001 to 86FMB-9999. this was follow by FMC, etc.

1963 VIN 11768 has a radio id sticker of 86FMA-0006. My car VIN 133XX has a radio id sticker of 86FMA-1594.

Subtract 1594 from 133XX and your around 11750.

You never know what gets pulled in what order but this is why I suggested VIN 11750 as the crossover point.

ALSO.......The radio side panels in 63 changed from two aft screws to one aft screw (the upper screw). On 99% percent of the cars I have observed over the years, if the car has an AM/FM radio it also has a radio side panel with one aft screw. The panel does not have the hole for the lower screw.