Hello,

I'm getting ready to install a new (Restored) radio.

However upon taking out my old one I see that there is actually an exterior (not inside radio) speaker mounted to the dash. I at first thought that this was an aftermarket fix, however I think I see a date of 1948 on a sticker of the speaker.

The original radio I pulled out is a Motorola. I see no mention of Motorola radios from research I have performed.

Were there several radio applications back then?

My new restored radio has an internal speaker, which the service manual confirms correct...??

 

It was probably not a factory installed radio. It could be an aftermarket installed by the dealer or somebody like Western Auto. Way back then a lot of radios and heaters were aftermarket.

 

Original GM factory radios were always Delco but as said, a lot of aftermarket were installed as they were way less expensive than the Delco. Read: lotta dealer profit on Delcos.

Motorola radios were and are fine sets. They were the first purpose-built car radios, after all.

 

In the good ole days, prior to '63, accessories radios, heaters etc were generally dealer installed, a hold over from the pre-radio/heater days of the 1930'a/40/50's. The dealers did not want to pay the freight on accessories, in some cases that even included bumpers and hub caps.
In many cases the dealers could mark the accessories up as much as they wanted. Wm.