Corvette Parts Blog

C4 Corvette Door Speaker Grill

The Corvette Speaker Grill (or speaker cover) on the door of your C4 takes a beating over time.  It gets a jolt each time the door slams and it’s probably taken more than a few direct kicks over the years as you exit the Corvette.  The result: a broken, scuffed or torn speaker grill. It’s one of those Corvette Parts that will eventually need to be replaced due to normal wear and tear.

But there’s a simple fix. New replacement speaker covers from Zip will help give the interior of your 1984-1989 C4 Corvette that new car look once again. These door speaker grills are equipped with an unornamented center bar to save you the cost of replacing the emblem OR if you elect to add the emblem, simply drill two pilot holes and mount the Bose emblem. Speaker cover grills are low gloss black instead of the factory flat black for a show car look. Order a pair for your car today!

View all Corvette Parts Blog Posts specific to C4 Corvettes here.

C3 Corvette CB Microphone

Long before the days of GPS units, smart phones and satellite radio…there was the CB radio. Once a must-have for keeping tabs on road conditions, the CB beckons a simpler era of long road trips and camaraderie among drivers. Although its heyday has long since passed – the last year a CB radio was offered as a Corvette option was 1985 - this piece of Americana still has its place among Corvette restorers and enthusiasts.

If  the radio on your 1978-1982 C3 is equipped with CB functionality, Zip now offers a C3 Corvette Reproduction CB Microphone to complete the unit.  Whether you’re looking to restore your C3 to its original factory condition, or just want to pay tribute the good old days, Zip has the Corvette Parts you need to get the job done.

View all Corvette Parts Blog Posts specific to C3 Corvettes here.

Corvette GM PAL (Personal Audio Link) for 2010-2011 C6

You don’t have to leave your favorite songs at home when you’re driving your C6 Corvette. Plug in your iPod and take the tunes with you!  The Corvette GM PAL (Personal Audio Link) for 2010-2011 C6 allows you to hook up your iPod directly to your 2010 and later C6 Corvette navigation unit. The factory navigation system will control and charge your iPod so the music lasts as long as your road trip!

KHE-100 Series Corvette Radios

The KHE 100-series Corvette Radio is the perfect mix of “old school” looks and modern technology. Forget loose cassettes or CDs – just plug your music in! Zip’s new KHE-100 series shafted radio is the perfect radio for the listener of today. This radio features a chrome face, large chrome push buttons and station dial indicator reminiscent of your Corvette’s original. Behind the pretty face is all new technology, including 100 WATTS (25×4) of power, a front input port specifically designed for your iPod or MP3 player, and a USB drop cable for access to all your music! Plug in to a KHE-100 series Corvette radio and never carry another CD again! Radio features include:

Note: Red station slider is non-functional. For original style looks only. 1963-1967 Corvette stereos are GM licensed and include “Corvette” on aluminum bezel.

Original Corvette Radios carried an impedance load of 10 ohms and their factory equivalent speakers also carried this matching impedance. Most aftermarket radios carry a 4-ohm load, and therefore the majority of aftermarket speakers available also have a matching impedance of 4 ohms. If the radios and speakers are not “matched” in their impedance loads, not only will the radio sound pour, but damage can occur to both the speaker and the radio!

Zip Corvette has just released a new series of original impedance Corvette Speakers. These speakers are specifically designed for 1958-1976 Corvettes and are available in the correct sizes depending on the application. These speakers are Made in USA using a high energy NEO magnet, which performs better than OEM Delco or a re-cone of your original speaker. These speakers include a custom wound load coil that exactly matches the electrical characteristics of the original Delco load coils.

All 1958-1967 Corvettes used a 6×9 speaker in the center dash, while 1968-1969 Corvettes featured a 4×10 in the kick panel. The original 68-69 Corvette 4×10 speakers included a stamped bracket riveted to the speaker for mounting, this bracket will need to be reused to complete installation of a new speaker. 1970-1976 Corvette speakers are 4×6 and are originally held in place with an aluminum retainer which can be reused.

With improved bass and treble response and the ability to achieve higher volume levels than your original speaker, Zip Corvette’s reproduction speakers will make your original Corvette radio sound better than new.

1958-1967 Corvette Speaker – 6×9

1968-1969 Corvette Speaker – 4×10

1970-1976 Corvette Speaker – 4×6

By Bobby Norris – Zip Sales Representative

Corvette Delco Bose Radio Face Kits

If you have been asking “How do I replace my C4 Corvette Bose Radio?” because it looks bad, then worry no longer. We now carry Corvette Bose Radio face kits & knobs for C4 1984-1989 to make your old radio look like new again. If you have had this problem then you may have tried to buy a new Bose radio from GM or another Corvette parts supplier like us; problem with this is that the factory GM Delco radios have not be available for many years. Since they have not been available new, many people have turned to have their old C4 Corvette Delco radios rebuilt entirely! This is great if your radio does not work properly, but if you just want an affordable and fast fix for the looks of your Corvette’s radio; our new Corvette radio face kit is just the solution. You will be amazed how something so small can alter the looks of the entire interior of your Corvette.

C4 Corvette Radio Knobs

Our new Corvette Delco Bose radio face kits do not include the radio push buttons, but these reproduction kits include a new GM licensed face, new lens and a new cassette door. These high quality Delco radio faces can have your Corvette’s interior looking better than ever. An excellent compliment to a new radio face is a new set of our Corvette Radio Knobs for C4. We have the balance/fader knob bezel and the volume/tuner radio knob, both of which will help your Bose radio look like it did when your car rolled off the GM assembly line.

We have added three new capacitors to our inventory that are designed to work on 1955-1962 Corvettes. Each capacitor is a new reproduction of the original and includes the correct wiring connection, mount bracket and  stamped part number. It is essential to use these 1955-1962 Corvette Capacitors because ignition systems, charging systems, and electrical devices used on C1 Corvettes create magnetic pulses that are of the same frequency range as AM radio. The result of not using the correct capacitors will cause radio interference or noise. These capacitors divert this noise to the ground so it is not heard through the radio speakers as an annoying buzz or whine.

This weeks Corvette Question comes from Scott who owns a 1972 Corvette.

How do you remove the original radio from a 1972 Corvette?

The procedure for removing a 1972 Corvette Radio is the same for all 1968-1976 C3 Corvettes. You will need to start by removing your Corvette’s RH Side Dash Pad. There are seven phillips screws that hold the dash pad in place; two in the door jamb, three on top where it connects to the top dash pad and the final two are on the side of the gauge console. Once the RH dash pad is removed you will gain access to the radio and gauge console.  Remove both radio side panels on the forward console, they sit under the radio and are held in with one screw. Once this is done, you will need to loosen the nuts on the bottom of the gauge console, they can be difficult to get to, but you should note that you will only have to loosen them not remove them. You can see these nuts by the radio side panels. After the nuts are loose, you can remove the two screws on the left side and then remove the upper screws that hold the wiper switch in place. Once all of the screws are removed, remove the radio knobs and the retaining nuts. The console will now pull out, but use caution because you still have wires and your oil line hooked up. If you can gain enough clearance to remove the radio leave these connected, if not then disconnect the wires and oil line and remove the console. The radio will now slide out so that you can disconnect the antenna cable and wiring harness.

For the best Corvette gifts for Corvette enthusiasts consider one or more of these five great Christmas gift ideas below. It is no secret that Corvette owners love their car and rightfully so. Surprise them this Christmas with an excellent present under the tree that will make their Corvette cruising more joyful. Corvette emblems, speakers, fuel rail covers, Lloyd mats, & license plate frames are just the beginning. Head over to CorvetteGifts.com to view more Corvette gift ideas including apparel, accessories, and books for all Corvette owners.

This week we are featuring five more popular Christmas gift ideas for Corvette owners:

C3 Corvette Emblems

An excellent Christmas present for 1968-1982 Corvette owners is a set of brand new Corvette emblems. We have emblems for all 1968-1982 Corvettes. Though replacing the emblems may seem like a small upgrade you will be surprised at the impact they can have once installed. Surprise an enthusiast close to your with a new nose emblem, side script, gas door emblem, or rear emblem today.

C2 Corvette Speakers

If you or someone you know has just upgraded the radio in a Midyear Corvette you can take advantage of the new power by adding these replacement kick panels and speakers. Each kick panel, which looks like a factory option, includes a pre-mounted 4″ Pioneer 2-way speaker capable of handling 100 watts. The ABS plastic panels can be painted to match the Corvette’s interior color for ultimate perfection. $139.95

C6 Corvette Fuel Rail Covers

If you are gift shopping for a C6 Corvette owner then chances are you are shopping for a person who loves their car. One great Corvette gift for C6 Corvette owners is a new pair of fuel rail covers. Fuel rail covers are the ultimate in engine dress for C6 Corvettes. All GM fuel rail covers are painted in your choice of color and include the LS2, LS3, & LS7 logo. $209.95 & Up

C1 Corvette License Frame

License plate frames make great Corvette gifts because you can display them on your Corvette, on another car, you can hang them in a room, or collect them. This license plate frame includes the C1 Corvette script with the C1 Corvette cross flag emblem on each side. This license plate frame is made of chrome plated brass and comes with chrome plated screw caps $29.95

C5 Corvette Lloyd Mats

Lloyd Corvette Floor & Cargo Mats are the most popular aftermarket floor mats added to the interior of a C5 Corvette. Surprise that C5 Corvette owner on your Christmas list with a fresh new set of embroidered mats. With multiple embroidery options for the C5 and C5 Z06 Corvette, Lloyd Floor & Cargo Mats will make an excellent Corvette Gift under the tree. $109.95 & Up

The holiday season is approaching fast. With most people already into their Christmas shopping don’t create more of a hassle for yourself by waiting until the last minute when items are sold out or on backorder. Instead, do yourself a favor and begin shopping right now so you don’t have to worry about purchasing items that aren’t in stock. Choose from one of these five great Christmas gifts or head over to Corvette Gifts.com to view hundreds of great Corvette gift ideas.

The KHE series radios have become a popular alternative in 1958-1982 Corvettes. The combination of their old school looks and modern technology has proven to be a deciding factor among Corvette enthusiasts looking for both originality and performance. Zip Corvette stocks most of these KHE Series Corvette Radios for that very reason.

77-82 KHE 100 Series Corvette Radio

Each KHE Series Radio is designed to fit directly into your Corvette’s Dash Bezel without making any modifications. Because of their excellent fit and throwback look you can now enjoy your favorite tunes in your favorite car.

The KHE 100 Corvette Radio is designed to allow you to be able to listen to your music while not paying an unreasonable amount of money. This radio is perfect for someone who would like to have quality sounding music but does not have to have the absolute best. The features of this radio include the choice of a chrome or black face, AM/FM cassette with digital tuning, auto-reverse, locking FF & RW, separate bass & treble, 4-way fader, 20 presets (15FM/5AM) manual tuning, seek auto tune, preset scan, RCA pre-outs, clock, auto stereo – mono, auto antenna lead, auxiliary line for MP3 player or iPod, LCD with green illumination, 100 watts of power (25 x 4) for KHE 100, & 200 watts of power (50×4) for the KHE 200.

58-62 KHE 200 Series Corvette Radio

The KHE 200 Corvette Radio is the same as the KHE 100, only with a little more juice. All features are the exact same except the KHE 200 is backed by 200 watts of power; as opposed to 100 watts in the KHE 100. The added watts in the 200 series radio makes this model more popular for owners that may be interested in beefing up their Corvette’s sound system.

The KHE 300 Corvette Radio is the best radio to choose from when it comes to the combination of looks and modern technology. With the elimination of the cassette player you will be able to plug your iPod or MP3 Player directly into the face of the radio, ultimately removing cassette tapes and/or cd’s from your dash or floorboard. The 300 series radio includes 200 watts of power and only comes with a chrome face. The extra large buttons add the finishing touches that make this radio an excellent choice for 1958-1962 Corvette owners.

68-76 KHE 300 Series Corvette Radio

Features of the KHE 300 radio include: aux input – front & rear (iPod, MP3, etc.), 4AM/12FM presets, manual up & down tuning, seek auto tune, auto stereo & mono, preset scan & auto store, front & rear fader control, on & off volume control, separate bass & treble control, left & right balance control, clock time & frequency selector, custom design to fit your Corvette’s dash, auto antenna power lead, LCD display with green back lighting, & 200 watts of power output (50×4).

With the latest addition of the KHE 300 radio for 1958-1962 Corvettes, Zip now has all three series available for all 1958-1982 Corvettes. Their genuine looks and outstanding performance make the KHE brand superior to its competition.