73 speaker and radio replacement

Hi everyone, I recently purchase new carpet and weather stripping and i am getting ready to work on the car. Last year the heater core failed so I am going to replace that as well. Since I am doing all this, and the speaker(s) or the radio doesn't work worth a darn anymore, I thought I would replace them while i had the car apart. I'd like to keep the original radio look if possible and don't really need an award winning system but would like to at least upgrade once, maybe add a couple rear speakers, and be done. I read most of the older posts on the topic and thought I would try a new post to see if anyone has done anything recently:
1. It appears froom older possts that if careful I can remove the top dash without having to get involved in tearing apart the entire dash and steering column. Can anyone confirm?
2. Any recommendations on speakers for the fron and maybe rear?
3. Anyone purchased one of the stock looking units (i =know there are expensive) and added speakers in the rear?

New to this stuff and anxious to get going but I want to do it once and not have regrets later that I didn't "do it right" the first time.

Thanks!
Ted

Check with Crutchfield on speakers. To remove the top dash pad, you must remove the A-pillar pads, header pad, and the rear overhead trim.  It's been many years since I did that so YMMV.  Best bet is to get a factory service manual and/or assembly manual.

 I found a radio I like on one of the more well known corvette parts websites listed as a "Corvette AM/FM/iPod Stereo, Reproduction, 1968-1976", "Part #25-245687-1" on sale through today. Anyone have any experience with this radio?
Thanks for input.
Ted

What brand is it?

Doesn't give a brand on website. Chat session with customer care wasn't helpful. Apparently no returns on "electrical" items.

$650 for an aftermarket radio?  That's nuts.  Check out RetroSound.  You can probably shop around the internets for a better price.

http://www.retromanufacturing.com/collections/all/1973+chevrolet+corvette

The brand you were looking at is AAR, Antique Auto Radio.


|UPDATED|5/1/2016 9:14:47 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I gave up on the stereo idea and went with the Bose soundlink mini bluetooth speaker for $129