I'm looking at the aftermarket panel/w pre-mounted speakers in Larry's 1955-57 Thunderbird catalog. The description states that it is "designed & engineered for 1955-57 Thunderbird to fit with no alterations to your car." The shape of their panel, however, is not exactly the same as the OEM 55 panel. It does curve upwards on the bottom ends/w a notch just above the curve. The top, however, is not rounded on the ends, but has larger notches, probably to allow for the trunk-lid hinges to clear. The bottom curves should be for inner wheel-well clearance. You may have to drill holes for sheet metal attachment screws, along the edges/perimeter of the board. 

If this does not suffice, I suggest you contact the vendor for further instructions.

The 55 panel is mounted on the trunk side. It uses a combination of sheet metal screws and metal tabs, which are an integral part of the body. 55-56 dimensions should be the same, but I don't know if the larger 57 trunk is different. The panel has an upward curve on each end of the bottom of the panel. The top of the panel has rounded corners, but otherwise pretty straight.

Speaking of the trunk divider - does it go on the cabin side, or the trunk side? I bought the speaker set on ebay and I can't quite figure out how the 1/2" board the speakers are mounted on goes it the car. It doesn't seem to want to fit either way. Since the '57 didn't come with the panel, I don't have a template to check the speaker board against. I assume it is supposed to be a jam fit as I don't see any mounting holes or brackets. If anyone has installed one of these boards or one like it, I would like to know how it was done. Thanks!

When Injustice Becomes Law, Resistance Becomes Duty

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.

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

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."

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

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

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. 

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.