Re: Miker question about what radio I used - I got the radio from Concours parts. It is their item # B7S-18805-TC on page 10 of their latest catalog. It is a bit spendy at $803 but it looks exactly like the original radio. I like the radio, just not the sound from the speakers. I am used to full surround sound like in my truck or family sedan. I guess I had forgotten how bad a dash only speaker sounds. I am probably going to reconsider door panel speakers. Has anyone done that? If so, how do they sound. Easy to install or a pain in the buttocks?

When Injustice Becomes Law, Resistance Becomes Duty

famdoc3, thanks for the info. I hadn't considered air pressure from closing the trunk damaging the speakers. There are foam enclosures that might prevent that, but they've gotten mixed reviews. I'll have to figure out some kind of attractive enclosure that will protect the speakers from anything moving around inside the trunk, as well as the air pressure. Maybe a drop curtain inside the trunk will work.

I installed an aftermarket radio from one of the T-Bird suppliers and the trunk mounted dual speakers in the drop curtain
location in my '57. I also added a ten cd changer located in the trunk. The sound was just ok with the soft top up and somewhat
muffled with the soft top folded behind the seat, but much better than the dash speaker only. My black '57 Bird has door mounted
speakers as well as the dash mounted speaker, much better sound. This car has a custom interior, so I can not advise as how to
mount door speakers in a stock door panel.
Ernie

tbirddragracer, did you remove/fold up the drop curtain, so it didn't block the rear speakers? Do you know the brand/model of the rear speakers? Thanks.

I have Kenwood 7x10s in another vehicle that I have, and been very happy with them. To get good sound you need a good size amp to drive them, not the amp in the deck. Also to get good sound you need a solid base. Masonite is too thin and will reverberate.  Ideally in a tuned box as mentioned. 

I removed the drop curtain to help the sound quality, sound improved slightly.
Some of my radio components I purchased from Casco Thunderbird Specialists and some came from
Custom Auto Sounds in Fullerton California.
Ernie

This is the trunk in the bird showing the speaker enclosures. They're mounted on 1/4" plywood (thicker than I remembered) and concealed by a second panel. The jack is in place, but the tool roll is out for the winter. They work ok, but the radio isn't the best and the display is failing. So it's on the list to replace. It is noticeably muffled with the top down.



miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Miker, is the trunk carpet custom? Larry's sells a trunk carpet, but I don't think it covers the entire trunk area. I have the cardboard for both sides and had it covered in black vinyl. Although my original rubber mat is in fine shape, carpet has a more finished, upscale look. It is supposed to be a "personal luxury vehicle."

The whole interior came from Larry's, back in 2003 or so, and I've been happy with it. But the green carpet faded out in no time at all. Given I live in Seattle and on any given sunny morning (sometimes as many as 20 days a year) you might come home with the top up and the wipers on, that seemed like excessive fading. Especially the side trim. So I went down to the interior shop I use and we went thru catalogs until we found a modern carpet as close as possible. So we did the whole trunk and I made false panel to hide the speakers and jack. It's just Velcro'd in place and that needs to be redone.

I do have a reduced size spare the right size that goes in the car when I feel the need for it. Otherwise it's AAA.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Thanks, Miker.

I'll try Larry's, but if green fades, I'm sure black will, and I live in the San Joaquin Valley. But if it's too hot, too cold, or raining, the car will stay in the garage. When my 88 5.0 Mustang Convertible was new, I would drive it with the top down in late autumn, but I'm older (and hopefully wiser) now.