80's Imperials

[Dennis Dana <56safari@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I did my radio conversion in 1987. I do recall having to run new wires for the 
radio to perform properly. My original 1981 radio had the wiring where you 
basically grounded each speaker and it worked. On the quartz lock  radio I 
installed,according to the 82 service manual,I ran new wires to the front and 
rear because one terminal on the speaker ran to the other speaker creating a 
tie in between them. The same went for the front.Surely,new wiring didn't have 
to be ran if one just decided to cut and relocate the original wires,I decided 
to do it this way in case I ever decided to reinstall the original radio again. 
        rom: Dick Benjamin <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>
Also, I have a complete 40 channel c.b. combo and the antenna mast is 
exceptionally long, and not retractable.Sent: Feb 3, 2004 8:15 AM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: 80's  Imperials

I too have done this conversion (installing an 82 Quartz Lock tuning radio
in an 81), but it was about 5 years ago and I no longer remember the
details.  I do not recall having to make any modifications to the speaker
wiring, but a check in the factory service manual will show what is
necessary in any case.

Dick Benjamin
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dennis Dana" <56safari@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2004 10:43 PM
Subject: Re: IML: 80's Imperials


> The problem with installing the quartz lock 82-83 radios in the 81 is that
the speaker wiring is completely different.You will need to run new wires to
each speaker because the quartz radio speakers ground to each other instead
of the analog radios in the 81's simple set up. The best thing to do is
consult a wiring diagram for each radio.That is what I did when I made this
conversion.Good luck.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dick Benjamin <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Feb 1, 2004 5:58 PM
> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: IML: 80's  Imperials
>
> The AM-FM-CB radio was one of the 3 "optional at no extra cost" radios
> offered in 1981.  They also offered an AM-FM stereo with cassette, and an
> AM-FM Stereo with 8 track-"your choice no extra cost!".  \
>
> Unfortunately, the cassette player type radio in 81 was the old fashioned
> analog tune type, not a quartz lock phase lock digital tune type like
modern
> folks enjoy.  This was a big disappointment, and a mistake that was
> corrected in 1982.
>
> So, what you want to find is an original radio out of an 82 or 83 EFI
coupe,
> called the "quartz lock with cassette player".   These are superb radios.
> By the way, I use my AM-FM-Stereo with CB on all our trips, as we often
tour
> with other old car groups and the CB is very useful to us.  Unfortunately,
> the special antenna that was required for this model radio was long gone
> from my car, so I am reduced to using an aftermarket CB antenna on my car
> when I want to use the CB.  If you are going to remove this setup from
your
> car in  order to put a cassette player in it, let us know, you'll find a
lot
> of takers for your antenna, if it is the original!
>
> Dick Benjamin
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <MARKJREALTOR@xxxxxxx>
> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2004 2:31 PM
> Subject: Re: IML: 80's Imperials
>
>
> > Upon my first reading the email I was going to write that I must truly
be
> > crazy for loving the 80's Imperials but now I see there are many others
as
> well.
> > I absolutely love these cars, and just got back from picking an 81 up in
> > Nebraska that I bought off ebay.  I also had an 82 once before back in
85
> which I
> > loved, so I am excited to have one once again.  I heard from a cadillac
> > collector one time that the 81-83 Imperial was said to be the only car
> that would
> > become a classic out of the 80's and I believe that to be true.
> >
> > I just drove this car from Nebraska to San Francisco stopping off in
> Denver
> > and Salt Lake City,  and then down home to Long Beach(south of LA) and
had
> no
> > trouble whatsoever.  The car is in bad need of a paint job, it is
> currently
> > very dull grey, and I know it won't be original but I am going to paint
it
> a
> > "candyapple red", it may match the red crystlas in the tires.  I
actually
> had a
> > dream a while back that I had one in that color so I guess I am going to
> be
> > making a dream come true at least.  I think with those sleek lines and
> front and
> > back it will look fantastic that color.  The interior is near perfect,
> just
> > needs some new leather in the drivers seat which is getting done first.
I
> am
> > just so glad to actually have a start to my Imperial collection.  It
will
> be nice
> > to be able to show up at a show with a car now  rather than just
looking.
> I
> > still want a 74 and 61 Crown 4-door.  On the one I just bought, does
> anyone
> > have any advice on changing out the am/fm/CB  to a stereo like I had in
my
> other
> > one that instead had a casette?  The CB was probably a cool idea at the
> time,
> > but not as practical today.
> >
> > By the way- did anyone else notice that the nice 74 on ebay sold for
> $6850.00
> > yesterday?
> > Quite a high price for that car.
> >
> > Thanks to everyone for all your inspiration!
> >
> > Mark
> > 81 Imperial
> > 65 T-Bird
> > 89 Town Car
> > 01 Excursion
> >
>
>
>
>