Question from Clay (1967):
There was mention of rear speaker/ reverb/amp. Were they exclusive to the FM radio? Mine has an AM radio with rear speaker. To my knowledge there is no reverb but how could I find out?
Reply from Chris:
The brochure does not make any association between the AM-FM radio and the reverberator, though the reverb only came with the amp and rear speaker. If you have the reverb, you turn it on by pulling the rear speaker knob (in the lower left corner of the radio well) out, like a light switch. You'll hear it if you've got it (and it works).
The reverb is really little more than a spring in the speaker wiring which vibrates and causes a delay between the front and rear speakers, for a concert-hall stereo effect from monaural output. I find that it sounds boomy when the car is still but cool on the freeway, especially if the windows are down. Not sure why: the front speaker, me and the rear speaker are all still going the same relative speed! The reverb unit in 1967 models is under the rear seat cushion.
As for radio system availability, I think these were the choices:
1. AM radio with speaker in dash. (Standard. Everything listed below was optional.)
2. Golden Touch AM-FM monaural radio with foot-button station changer and speaker in dash.
3. Item #2 above, plus rear speaker.
4. Item #2 above, plus rear speaker with rear amp and reverberator (amp and reverb were not offered as separate options).
5. Golden Touch AM-FM multiplex radio (available very late in model year), equipped as in Item #3 but stereo.
6. Golden Touch AM-FM multiplex radio (available very late in model year), equipped as in Item #4 but stereo.
7. Finally, I would never count out that someone out there might have a factory-radio-delete 1967 (purchased by a deaf millionaire or something)!
Also, I believe the stereo radio replaced the mono AM-FM unit on the options list once it became available. A really late 1967 might have both the stereo radio and automatic temperature control (climate control), both of which were technically 1968 features.
Tip from Ken:
The instructions for operating the reverberator unit were on a 5" X 8" card. I have copied them below complete with Chrysler's capitalization and punctuation. Here it is:
IMPORTANT
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR REAR SEAT RADIO SPEAKER EQUIPPED WITH REVERBERATOR
Your new automobile is equipped with a factory installed combination Rear Seat Speaker and Reverberator unit which produces outstanding sound reproduction.
How it Works: To simulate "music hall" acoustical effects, audio waves are delayed by an Electromechanical delay line and reamplified after 20 to 30 thousandths of a second. The final output is unique and of distinctive quality.
Reverberator Control: The Reverberator is controlled by a push-pull knob located near the radio. To turn the Reverberator "ON", pull the knob out. To turn the Reverberator "OFF", push the knob in. With the control knob in the "OFF" position, normal speaker performance is obtained without reverberation. Adjustment of the volume "mix" between the front and rear speaker is obtained by rotating the control knob. With this built-in fader control feature, the rear speaker control ring, located behind the right radio knob, is no longer used for mixing between speakers.
NOTE: The radio and the Reverberator are separately operated power units. When the radio is turned "OFF", the Reverberator should also be turned "OFF" by pushing the control knob in.
INSERT THESE INSTRUCTIONS IN YOUR OPERATING INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Part Number: 2497388 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Tip from Dick:
The "reverb" accessory was a completely different kettle of fish, and could be added to any radio. It basically puts an audio delay into the system to create a sort of echo effect, which was thought to simulate a concert hall type sound.
Follow-up question from Gregg:
Does that mean I can add reverb to my FM mono in my '70 Imperial?
Reply from Dick:
Indeed you can. It may not have been available in '70, I don't know, but if you get a unit from another car, it would certainly work OK. Once Stereo became more or less common in cars, the "reverb" systems faded away.
Reply from Roger:
I have a dealer added '66 reverb on my '66 "lesser make" MoPar, it is interesting to say the least. The radio is a '66 Chrysler factory AM/FM [mono] which I installed but have been told was a dealer option on the Plymouth. Fits right in. If I were shopping for a reverb, I'd look for one with the variable delay, not the fixed type factory ones. But where do you shop for a reverb unit?
