Rear Seat Speaker option

[xs29bb1]

I had a few questions regarding the rear seat speaker option - specifically as it pertains to a '68 R/T

I'm assuming it was simply an additional speaker or two to upgrade your sound system.  According to the manufacturer's suggested retail price guide it was only a $14.70 option.
However, I've looked at many 68 R/Ts and many fender tags and it seems that very few cars came w/ this option. 

So the first question is - if it's an upgrade to the sound system that's relatively cheap (hell shoulder belts were almost double the price) why didn't more guys get this option?
Secondly, does anyone know what percentage of 68 R/Ts came w/ this option or where I can find that info?

I've been able to find (a lot of times on this site) some % info on other options like power windows, disc brakes, etc, but I can't seem to find any % info on this option.

Any help and/or info on this option greatly appreciated - thanks.

[HeavyFuel]

I was able to dig up a little info and also have a 68 R/t with rear speaker.

Code 351 Radio Group, which I have, contains the items listed below.  The rear speaker might be part of that group, but it doesn't say....it's shown as an option in the chart.      

My logic says that the rear speaker would be part of the group, because of the name of the group..."Radio".....and all of the other stuff in that group has nothing to do with a radio.  So you would think that something, like a rear speaker, woud be part of that group to justify calling it a "Radio" group.  (sorry, that was a ramble)   

Galen decoded my car back in 1992, and at that time he said that the 351 Radio Group was an option in 18% of the R/Ts.

Hope that helps a little.

[xs29bb1]

Thanks.  I didn't consider that it could be part of that group because the group is so oddly named.  Like you say, it's the "radio group" but it has things like wheel covers, 3-speed wipers, power brakes, power steering, etc..... things that have nothing to do w/ a radio at all     

It could be there, but if it was, I wonder why they wouldn't list it as part of that group.

On the Fender Tag, it's N=6 

Do you have it on your fender tag? 

I have the AM Radio w/ 8-track which I guess is not the Music Master - and w/ the three radio choices costing anywhere from $61 - $196, it seems strange that the $14 rear seat speaker option even has its
own place on the fender tag. 

[xs29bb1]

Forgot to ask - do you know exactly how the RSS differs from the standard speaker configuration?

[69CoronetRT]

The rear speaker was an additional option (code 426) and not part of the radio group.

The option can be found in about 0.8% of the /6 XP cars, 20% of the XP v8s and 33% of the XS R/Ts.

[xs29bb1]

Hey thanks - much appreciated!

[HeavyFuel]

There ya go......so much for my logic.

I checked my Broadcast, and yes, the 426 speaker block is filled in.


The Music Master is just an AM radio, all transistor, with tone control, automatic volume control, and ......(gasp)....2 watts of power.

[Alaskan_TA]

426 option info for 1968 Coronet & Charger at http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/dealerships/FleetBook/1968/68%20Fleet%20Buyers%20guide_Page_078.jpg

[VegasCharger]

426 option info for 1968 Coronet & Charger at http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/dealerships/FleetBook/1968/68%20Fleet%20Buyers%20guide_Page_078.jpg

So you could've order cruise control on a '68 Charger according to that data sheet. I didn't think that cc wasn't available until 1969 on the Chargers

[rarefish]

Thanks.  I didn't consider that it could be part of that group because the group is so oddly named.  Like you say, it's the "radio group" but it has things like wheel covers, 3-speed wipers, power brakes, power steering, etc..... things that have nothing to do w/ a radio at all     

It could be there, but if it was, I wonder why they wouldn't list it as part of that group.

On the Fender Tag, it's N=6 

Do you have it on your fender tag? 

I have the AM Radio w/ 8-track which I guess is not the Music Master - and w/ the three radio choices costing anywhere from $61 - $196, it seems strange that the $14 rear seat speaker option even has its
own place on the fender tag. 

I believe that the rear speaker code on the fender tag in 1968 is a 6 under the letter "P" and not under the letter "N".  According to this site:   http://www.jimshine.com/tag%20info/68tagdecode.htm

[Brock Lee]

I don't think it was often ordered because the purpose was a little different than today. These were mono (except 8 track), low power radios. The rear speaker was so the person in the back seat could hear the radio. If you didn't plan on having many passengers in the back seat, the option was not seen as necessary.

[Lord Warlock]

I've got one with the light group, and the AM/FM radio with front rear fader, the weird thing was that there was only one rear speaker not two.  The fader knob is below the ignition switch.  replaced the dash speaker in the 70s, as well as the rear speaker, radio still works fine after all this time. 

[68 RT]

My 68 R/T has rear seat speaker.

[Troy]

I don't think it was often ordered because the purpose was a little different than today. These were mono (except 8 track), low power radios. The rear speaker was so the person in the back seat could hear the radio. If you didn't plan on having many passengers in the back seat, the option was not seen as necessary.

Exactly! Without the 8-track (stereo and very expensive) the front only had a single speaker any way. The radio was what, 2 watts? It wasn't anything like the 9 speaker Dolby surround sound systems we have today.

My R/T has all sorts of expensive options but doesn't have a passenger side mirror or remote drivers side mirror (both very cheap). On "sold" cars people ordered whatever made them happy. My black/white 68 had A/C but ordered with clear windows.

Troy