Hi all, first post here. Recently acquired a '73 E-Type. I acquired this car from the buyer in this auction: 1973 Jaguar XKE Roadster for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $41,500 on August 6, 2020 (Lot #34,820) | Bring a Trailer

I thought I would start on the radio as my first little project. The radio was not working. After disassembling it I discovered that the it was installed but not connected to anything. I removed it, connected it to a 12 volt power supply and a coat-hanger antenna and voila! It worked. Based on the labeling on the radio, it appears to be original. I subsequently discovered it has a built-in 8-track player behind the radio dial. So I bought some 8-track tapes on Ebay, and the player also works. Cool retro (but pretty poor sound quality).

The thing is, the car's speakers are missing. So I want to install speakers in the original mounts (behind the seats on either side - photo below). I measured the diameter between the mounting holes. 6 Inches. So I ordered "6 inch speakers" on Amazon. But they don't fit. Then did a little more research to discover that "6 inches" is really only a general category for speakers, not a specific size. Sigh.

So the question is: does anyone know a specific speaker that will fit the original unmodified mounting holes?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

Rick

Speaker mounting hole for 1973 E-Type OTS

 

I looked through the BAT photos and could not see where this speaker opening is. I have a Series 2 and had good success with these PYLE speakers, 5.25 inch. They are Marine speakers (good for an OTS) and have a low profile. They come with a substantial amount of speaker wire. I'm also attaching some of the photos of the install, in case this would help, or give you some ideas on yours. I had to Dremel out a bit of the speaker surround to accommodate the original speaker grille's bolts.

 

Congratulations on your purchase!

The Series 3 has speakers in the panels behind the seats so is different than the Series 1 and 2. I replaced the speakers in my '73 years ago with speakers I got from Crutchfield. Give them the dimensions of the attachment points and depth of the opening and they should be able to find something that will fit. As I recall my replacements were a slight bit too large but I was able to make them work.

Note that Jaguar never offered a tape player option in 1973, only a rather pathetic AM/FM unit made by Bendix but with a Leyland logo. Yours may well be original but was likely dealer installed as lots of these cars came without a factory radio. FYI, I've attached a photo of the only factory radio option, as well as the full list of factory all the other options offered for MY 1973. This is from a Jaguar brochure specifically for the '73 V12 E-Type so may differ for earlier or later years. If you have any option on your '73 other than what's on this list it didn't come from the factory, it was likely after market or dealer installed.

 

 

Thanks both for the info - very helpful!
Valerie:

• Good thought on the marine speakers for OTS application.
• I won't need speaker wire - the factory wiring and connectors are still in place and test ok.
• I'm attaching a photo that should give you a good idea as to where the speakers are located (behind the seats as irgridley mentions).

irgridley:

• Thanks for the Crutchfield suggestion. I see now that they've got an online speaker configurator of sorts; I will give it a try.
• Thanks also for the brochure - very helpful to have original documentation!
• I'm also attaching some photos of the radio/8-track player unit. It may have been installed by the dealer, but it does carry a British Leyland part number and serial number. Searching online I found the following, which suggests it's late 1974. Maybe it was installed a year after the car was purchased. Or maybe the car wasn't purchased until 1974 and the dealer added it before sale (original sale info isn't available). ORIGINAL BRITISH LEYLAND AM FM 8 Track Radio Triumph Jaguar MG BLM105041 - $96.00 | PicClick

Best,

Rick

Location of 73 E-Type speaker behind the seat

Front of radio/8-track unit

radio/8-track unit with tape inserted

bottom of radio/8-track unit

back of radio/8-track unit with British Leyland part number and serial number

 

thank you for the follow up and photos. If you do decide to go with that particular set of marine speakers, their male spade connectors are the really tiny ones. If you end up needing the matching female ones, let me know. I bought a box of assorted M/F of all sizes, the ones that you fold over and crimp yourself, not the ones with the colored ends that you stuff the wire in and then smash. Can also include the rubber/vinyl 'jackets' that slip over them. Hope it all works out for you! keep us apprised of the progress.

 

Rhvh2000, I have a ‘74 SIII OTS that I am reassembling after a paint refresh. For the rear speakers behind the seats, she has Alpine SPS-170A speakers. They fit perfectly with no alterations needed.

 

midpac, thanks so much for that info.
I spoke the other day with Crutchfield (super helpful by the way) and found a couple of candidates.
I had measured the openings, so the rep was able to direct me to a few speakers that (almost) fit.
At that point I decided to go with a pair of inexpensive speakers I had already acquired: SoundXtreme 6" in 3-Way speakers.
My thinking was that the sound quality of the 1973 radio/8-track deck would not benefit from high-end speakers anyway.
I was able to fit the speakers without any modifications to the car, although I did have to bend the outer flanges of the speakers a little to conform to the contours of the car.
Much to my surprise the sound quality is at least listenable.
A win!
Thanks all for sharing your helpful insights and experience.
Best,
Rick