63 vs. 64 AM/FM Radios

[Impalaguru]

For the most part they look the same and fit in either dash, but I was told there are a few cosmetic differences (besides the knobs) between the two. Anybody know about this:dunno
Ross

[Bobaloo]

I think they are pretty much the same. I checked a few places for pictures and they seem to be. Here is a 63 AM-FM.

[Phil Reed]

Ross:
I believe the diffrences were cosmetic. Knobs, of course. The 63 radio had the circle with the triangle inside of it on the dial. That was the Norad station where you were to go to in case of a national emergency. I think that's right. The heat sinks were positioned differently. One had the heat sink attached to the back of the radio while the other was attached to the front speaker. Call Jody...he knows for sure.
Hope this helps.

[Bobaloo]

I forgot about CONELRAD insignia. Back in the cold war days , the government required every radio to have an indication at 640 and 1240 on the AM dial to mark the CONELRAD station frequencies. This was discontinued in late of 1963. I have seen 1964 Pontiac and Chevrolet and even a 64 F*** T Bird radio on Ebay today that have the insignia, so I don't know when they stopped that practice.
I think you are safe swapping years even for a picky judge, unless he crawls under the dash to look at the date code on the output transistor.

[Impalaguru]

Thanks for the help, guys! I knew it was some very small detail. I had an AM/FM in my old 64 SS and I don't remember it having the CONELRAD insignia. The original AM for my 63 does, I believe. A neat piece of trivia/history nonetheless. Thanks!
Ross

[bobs409]

I learned something! :cheers