Rear speaker accessory for an FE

[texmorton]

G'day,

just to clarify something; was the rear speaker available as an accessory for FE's? Not in the NASCO brochure but I have seen a could of pics of them fitted. Possible fitted later on when it was offered for later models? Thanks, Al

[mcl1959]

I’m not 100% sure but I think it came in about EJ?
As you say, quite easy to retro fit.
Ken

[ardiesse]

I'm guessing the rear speaker would have been an accessory judging on the shape of the rear parcel shelf:

http://forum.fefcholden.club/index.php?topic=27423.101

Rob

[mcl1959]

Pic from the FX to EJ parts book



But I agree Rob, the circle is there in the rear shelf

Ken

[Dr_Terry]

Yeah, I believe that the 1st time Nasco offered the rear speaker kit was for the FB series.

The part number for the kit was superseded a few times, but the earliest number I can find is 7406807. This number lines up with many items which were new for the FB in Jan 1960.

I think that engineering was thinking ahead of sales in those days. The are many items that appeared on FE/FC bodies that weren't utilised until the FB, just like the real speaker cut-out.

Have close look at the FC firewall, you can see where the 2 master cylinders & the handbrake for LHD export cars would mount. These weren't used until Mid-1960 FB.

Dr Terry

[texmorton]

Thanks for your your responses, seems to have cleared it up for me. I am restoring an early FE and the rear parcel shelf is a bit different to the later wreck i have on hand. Early shelf is dead flat all the way across, later one has strengthening ribs pressed into it but not sure if it has the cut out for the rear speaker or not as pretty rusty there.

Al

[RET]

The strengthening ribs in the parcel tray were part of a suite of changes made in late '56, after complaints from customers who had back windows fall out. Real early FEs (like mine, and apparently yours) neither have this ribbing, nor the braces that extend from the top of the wheel arch to the parcel shelf. On Specials, the stainless trim around the back window was also modified.

You will also find the rear wheel arch is only a single skin, whereas later cars have a double-skin here. This was also about reducing flex in the body.

cheers
RET

[texmorton]

Thanks RET, still plenty to learn about these cars as never realized that is why things are a bit different between early and late production cars. Al