68 Camaro multiplex

[Mark_C]

The box is the control head for the multiplex, has the volume, balance, tone and front-rear fader controls. The unit in the picture should have a label plate underneath it with the control names on it.

[Mark_C]

Heres the whole deal:

[SQUID]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mark_C</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Heres the whole deal:
</div></div>

These components are similar to the '68 Camaro's RPO U79 <span style="font-style: italic">Radio Stereo Multiplex - with console controls</span>, although there are some differences when compared to the '66 Caprice / Imapala version.

'68 Camaro's console control assembly does not unplug inside the console compartment, as it's wired directly to the wire harness.

The round plug on the '68 version that plugs into the bottom of the AM/FM radio has 9 pins and a center plastic alignment feature ('68 and later ), while '67 &amp; prior has 11 pins and no center alignment feature - which is another way to dermine the year of a '67 / '68 AM/FM Radio which is missing the PN tag.

Another detail to look for is the funky angled bracket ( attached by screws / not welded to Adaper Assembly ) &amp; mounting wedge ( PN 3943635 ) that mounts the multiplex unit up under the dash, to the left of the steering column.

To the best of my knowledge, the '68 multiplex with console controls could only be ordered in combination with RPO U17 Console Gauges / Console Instument Cluster.

I'm not certain that this was also true for RPO U57 console mounted Stereo Tape Player, as I don't very often see this option.
Here's a few pics of '68 AM/FM multiplex components with the console control assembly :

'68 control head

'68 multiplex unit

'68 multiplex with console controls

[bertfam]

Pete,

I think you hit upon the anomoly in your second post.

[ QUOTE ]
He said when he took delivery of the car he was not happy about this council mounted multiplex

[/ QUOTE ]

If he was unhappy with the control unit taking up all the room on the console door (as a lot of people were), the dealer may have done something like mount an Underdash unit (bottom picture) on top of the console instead.

And for the record, I agree with your original owner. The console mounted controls were absurd and it took up most of the room in the console, making it virtually useless! In addition to Mark's picture above, I've included a few pictures for you to look at. You can see the control unit under the console door and how much room it takes up. If the dealer installed an underdash unit on top of the console door (as it appears yours is), that would explain everything. As you can see by the last picture (AM/FM with the underdash multiplex), it looks just like yours. I'm also assuming that the dealer probably covered it with the same type of cover that was used on the 8 Track player (probably from another model), to make it look nicer than just a metal box sitting on top of the console.

At least that's my theory...

Ed