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History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
I have always been curious about which radio came with the ERS? My 82 Z28 does not have the ERS logo on the dash. It has the plain Jane AM/FM radio with no digital display at all, and no tape deck. Was the ERS only with the digital display radio? There is no indication that an ERS logo was ever on the dash, so it's not like it fell off.
My father ordered a 1982 Berlinetta with what was the top-of-the-line radio that year: AM/FM radio with stereo cassette, extended range sound (ERS) system.
In 1982, all the Camaro radios had analog tuning. I definitely remember the ERS logo on the dashboard.
I've had close to 40 third gens, and I think all of my Camaro's had the ERS logo....but I dont think I ever had one that came with the radio without the clock. My radio just has a silver DELCO emblem where the digital clock would be. Here's a better pic...
According to the 1982 dealer ordering guide, for the AM/FM radio (without 8-track or cassette), both the digital clock and ERS were optional.
It seems your car has neither option.
On the other hand, if one ordered AM/FM with 8-track or AM/FM with cassette, both digital clock and ERS were automatically included.
Our 1982 Berlinetta had the AM/FM stereo with cassette, and it certainly had the digital clock and ERS (including logo on dash).
The tuning was analog dial, though.
Hmmmm.....that's good to know. Thank you for the info!
I simply thought it had the radio with no clock because it has the big clock in the center console.
So, next question......what did they do different for the ERS? Do the different radios have more power? Are the speakers different? My radio sounds like complete garbage lol
I think it's the other way around. Cars with digital clocks were not allowed to have the analog clock in the center console.
So if one ordered the AM/FM stereo with cassette (which included digital clock), one could not order analog clock.
Of course, it was also possible to order no clock at all (analog clock was an option too).
If I look at dealer order form, it seems rear speakers are optional if one has AM/FM without ERS.
Does your car have rear speakers?
I've had close to 40 third gens, and I think all of my Camaro's had the ERS logo....but I dont think I ever had one that came with the radio without the clock. My radio just has a silver DELCO emblem where the digital clock would be. Here's a better pic...
That sure gives a 3rd gen a vintage look! I'm not sure I ever saw one of those radios, or maybe I just wasn't paying very good attention.
Kinda cool to see something different!
one sees that there are radio options "AM/FM radio" and "AM/FM stereo radio with ERS".
I wonder if the radio without ERS is mono? I vaguely remember that our 1982 AM/FM stereo radio had an
amber stereo light. Does that radio have that? It also doesn't seem to have a L/R balance
adjustment.
In fact, I just noticed on that same page, the brochure mentions that rear speakers are "available" with AM or AM/FM monaural radios. So it sounds like your car has the AM/FM monaural radio with the optional rear speakers upgrade. (Rear speakers are listed as not available for the ERS radios since they are then included as standard).
There is no stereo light, nor does it say stereo anywhere on it. I wonder if it is mono.... It wouldn't surprise me with the way it sounds lol
After looking over the brochure. I'm convinced that you are right. Mono it is.
I have to say that must be a pretty rare (though not especially desirable) option. In the 1980s, I had several friends with third gen Camaros and Firebirds, and I never saw the mono AM/FM setup -- particularly with four speakers (which seems a strange combo).
I think it's the other way around. Cars with digital clocks were not allowed to have the analog clock in the center console.
So if one ordered the AM/FM stereo with cassette (which included digital clock), one could not order analog clock.
Of course, it was also possible to order no clock at all (analog clock was an option too).
If I look at dealer order form, it seems rear speakers are optional if one has AM/FM without ERS.
Does your car have rear speakers?
The Z28s all came with the analog clock in the console...if you ordered a radio with the digital clock, the analog was omitted. However.....All the wiring harnesses had the analog clock plug. So in the case of my 82 and 85, when they came down the line, we mounted it up under the spot where it gies, but I had to cut the hole (3in) out of the panel when I got it home, so the inspector wouldnt mark the car for repair. So If you have a Z28 or IROC 82-85. You could put a clock in it if you can find one. I have a templete I made at the factory for where to cut the console panel. The clock plug will be there. Pretty neat.
That interior picture is spectacular. All the talk about the clocks made me think about those lick & stick digital LCD clocks that came to market many decades ago. Seemed like you could buy them at every store. Remember those? I was going to say at every checkout, but I think those even predate all the garbage that is for sale in all the checkout lanes. might have been about the same time the under dash FM radio converters where available. I installed one of those in my oldest sisters car when I was 14. She was the first one in our family to have FM in her car. I think we had 3 or 4 FM stations at the time. Good Memories
Take out your factory radio and hit up a parts yard or e-bay and get ya one of these factory cd/am-fm units. Easy install!
My factory am-fm/cass. crapped out and I had one of these on the shelf.
Thanks for posting the picture of your interior. I agree that the analog console clock looks very neat.
Back in the day (when my father bought a new 1982 Berlinetta), digital clocks still seemed like amazing new technology, so few of us regretted the deletion of the analog clock.
Now, of course, the analog console clock is far more interesting.
12-23-2018, 08:54 PM
might have been about the same time the under dash FM radio converters where available. I installed one of those in my oldest sisters car when I was 14. She was the first one in our family to have FM in her car. I think we had 3 or 4 FM stations at the time. Good Memories 
