marley

On my 70, I want to install a new CD player into the location where the stock radio sits. I see they make a repo bezel that is moulded to fit the new DIN radios, but they want 225 bucks. A normal repo bezel is only 75 bucks.
Who has cut the stock bezel to install a CD?
How can I trim the hole to make it look nice?
Any experience in this conversion is appreciated.

NC C3

the Dremel is your friend......

kona

Go to any car stereo shop and they can sell you a trim piece that will give it that finished look. Less than $5.00

Kona

GaryS

Whatever you do, cut a repro unit and not your original. Original center bezels require a mortgage and your first born male child as collateral. So many of them are butchered by folks trying to add aftermarket radios or break during removal that they are scarce. If you ever want to restore your car to original, you will be happy that you have the original and unmolested center piece.

Just my $.02.

Gary

djgrelli

with GaryS. Don't cut the original. I've had my Vette since 1995 and it still has the original 8 track unit in it. The radio works fine but the 8track is just there for looks. I think I can count on one hand how many times I've turned on the radio. Couldn't hear it if I wanted to.

Corz

right click/properties to find out the site..

thats where I got mine

Buckman62

I bought a new bezel for my 80 and enlarged the hole to fit a new Sony CD player. The front fascia of the player was slightly larger than the main body of the unit therefore once fitted the rough edges were hidden by the fascia........looks the business.

AlwaysWave

AlwaysWave

This is a reprod bezel. I cut out the gauge and radio surface and molded in a sized/fitted sheet of aluminum. Even had the opportunity to add a 6th gauge.

fotyfobravo

Go to www.millionbuy.com They sell a nice bezel for what you are looking to do.

Part # FP-306

Jay M

At one point in time I wanted to install a modern head unit in my '68. I didn't want to cut origional bezel. I called a Corvette junk yard and they had a used bezel that was already cut for $50

~Jay

jdmick

As far as buying a new one to cut or cutting your old one is up to you. I didn't have any reservations about cutting the bezel in my 75. I figure it's about as likely someone would want the old AM/FM as someone would want to put bias ply tires back on.
Anyway the job really isn't too tough. I bought the $10 adaptor bracket from millionbuy and traced around the square so I knew where to cut. Then I used my $20 4 1/2" angle grinder with a cutting blade to do most of the cutting. I finished cutting the corners with a dremel and a file. Everything fits and works great. I did all this with the bezel still hooked up to the guages. (You have to remove the bezel from the console though). The whole job to a little over an hour and was one of the best things I've done so far. I believe Redwingvette has done something similar.

fjetb

I did my 71...but, like what's been mentioned above I bought a repro and saved the original.
Here's the trim piece you need to buy:

Here's the back of it:

Here's the bezel cut with a dremel:

Here's the cut bezel with the stereo(minus the faceplate) mounted in the trim piece:

Here's the trim, stereo, and bezel from the side:
[/IMG]http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/586000-586999/586584_23_full.jpg[/IMG]
Here's the final product:

rosslato

this is the above part, fits perfect

i used a dremel and a file for the final fit

PhotoVette1

Fairly easy really.

redwingvette

I used my air grinder and a cut-off wheel. It cuts through easy. The trim plaet from above is the ticket for trimming it out.CD player install

Al77Vette

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Very Nice

What is the gauge for under the steering wheel?

kevin1979

on a similar note, I've been trying to hunt down an original radio for my 79. When they sell on ebay they always end up over $100. Any other places I should be looking to get it back to the original look? (I never turn on the cheap sony aftermarket anyway)

sly vette

Kevin
For just a few more bucks try Corvette central. They have new replacements at good prices. Of course it all depends on what you want.

Jims79

I cut my bezel by hand it came out perfect. Here's what you need a razor (box cutter type) a new hack saw blade and tape (painters tape blue works best).

First tape off the area where the new CD player will go. Put the new trim piece on the bezel over the tape and draw w/a sharpie inside the trim. Next take away the trim piece and use the razor to cut into the line on the tape. Make sure before you cut the the opening is level & square. After you cut along the line w/the razor take the new saw blade (glove is required) and cut slowly along the line.

Remove tape and install. Send me a PM w/your e-mail address & I'll send you a pic of how my turned out.