Replacement radio

[YELLOWOPELINNH]

I have searched the archives and can't find the information i was hoping for. I want to replace the original AM radio with something newer that is at least an AM/FM model. I contacted Crutchfield and the only offering they had was for a radio that he thought "might" fit. I don't want to modify the original dash panel. Any and all guidance would be appreciated.

[BQS4]

I don't think there's anything "new" that's going to fit without cutting, but, if you search Ebay for the old "shaft" type radios, you can even score a AM/FM cassette for very little money and it will most likely fit without cutting. Then, if you want to run an MP3, then Ebay also has cassette adaptors that allow you to run your MP3 through the cassette slot. Just an idea.

[tomking]

There is a company that sells old style radios with new electronics in them. I forget their name but you could search on the net and find them. Classic looking radios but the latest in modern electronics; that way you have the best of both.

[traytodd]

Crutchfield had a Kenwood shaft style AM/FM Cassette that nearly fits. You do need to slot the shaft holes a little wider. I modified the face plate that comes with it so that it looks reasonable in the dash. If you need to play MP3 or CDs, you can get a cassette adapter and plug it in through the tape heads.

Terry

[Dennis Texas]

Originally Posted by YELLOWOPELINNH I have searched the archives and can't find the information i was hoping for. I want to replace the original AM radio with something newer that is at least an AM/FM model. I contacted Crutchfield and the only offering they had was for a radio that he thought "might" fit. i don't want to modify the original dash panel. any and all guidance would be appreicated.

I'm sure you must be wanting to keep the radio in the same place. I have seen cars with the original radio in the dash and a newer one with a remote control and the speakers were also mounted on either side of the radio mounted on the flat spot between the rear wheel wells under the spare tire shelf.

[Bill Hoffmann]

[QUOTE=YELLOWOPELINNH;163209]I have searched the archives and can't find the information i was hoping for. I want to replace the original AM radio with something newer that is at least an AM/FM model.QUOTE]

In my opinion the newer radios with their busy displays look out of place on most Opels (highly customized cars excepted). I second the idea of finding a nice older AM/FM cassette and using a cassette or FM adapter for an MP3 player. A rare find is a shaft mount radio with auxiliary input. Whatever it is, you should make sure it has enough built-in power or (my preference) preamp outputs for an external amplifier. The added benefit of using an older head unit is that you don't have to worry so much about theft.

Bill

p.s. Besides eBay, you could look in wrecking yards. Many have a stack of radios pulled from cars on the shelf to choose from.

[YELLOWOPELINNH]

The car is driven by my wife. We would like to keep the radio in the original location. The link for the model Crutchfield sells is Retrosound Model One Digital media receiver at Crutchfield.com
Ideally I'd like to read that someone else has successfully installed this radio or perhaps some other without having to modify the original dash at all. The responses are appreciated.

[Bill Hoffmann]

Originally Posted by YELLOWOPELINNH Ideally I'd like to read that someone else has successfully installed this radio or perhaps some other without having to modify the original dash at all. The responses are appreciated.

Thanks for sending the link! I've been waiting for some manufacturer to step up to the plate with a product like this. You should have no trouble getting this in your dash. If you go with this one, please report back the results.

Bill

[David McCollam]

Try these guys, too:
Jack Berg Sales - Search Our Site

The radios are new with all of the installation parts and instructions. I've purchased several of there radios. I also have some radios I've saved from past projects. Give Jack Berg a look or let me know and I will see if I have something.

Dave

[GTRoy]

I have been considering Retrosound Model One for my 69 gt 1.1, Retrosound website has 2 good videos describing radio & instalation, looks like it should fit (dont want to cut dash)plenty of roon behind dash, original tube radio is big. Dont know anything about RS or their products but have bought from Crutchfield several times & dont think they carry junk, I would also like to hear others experience with this product. I have original radio but have am from 1980 olds omega installed, lots of GM radios of that era used that size, shafts, knobs & all. BTW yellowopelinnh, the first GT I ever sat in was at Buick dealer in Concord NH, still wish I had taken it for test drive.

[trailblazer2727]

Have you considered an FM converter and letting the original radio there. You can find FM converters on Ebay as low as 5 to 10 bucks

[GTRoy]

good idea,thanks. I had forgotten such a thing existed. how would I know a good one?? never bought from ebay.

[trailblazer2727]

Here's a web site that has new units that allow you to play your ipod etc. thru your AM radio. HTTP://WWW.REDISCOVERADIO.COM. They're listing them for $129.

[Gordy]

I have a Realistic (Radio Shack brand) AM/FM that fits perfectly in my GT's dash. I still have the original box (I bought the radio new in 1979) and the model number to search E Bay for is Realistic radio model #12-1840. It has am and fm presets and the tuning knob and dial. The best source of old radios I think are the hundreds of dash boards people have pulled from GT's (radios included) and have sitting in their parts stashes. I have a cassette/am/fm in my 2nd GT that was in a spare dash in my basement for 15 years. I had to replace the drive belt for the cassette but it works fine now and fit the dash with no cutting at all. You may want to reach Todd at Opels Unlimited, because if anyone would have a stock pile of old dashes and radios, it should be him.

[Rubenvdb]

Hi,

Here is another link: 1960-1983 Universal Radio Kit (CS-1 model w/ Cassette & MP3/ input . I recently bought this CS1 model myself (I haven't installed it yet, but it looks like it will fit without big modifications) and it is a bit cheaper than that retro sound model.

[YELLOWOPELINNH]

Glad to see this thread is still around. I never did make the purchase. With the holiday season coming up I'm going to do this for x-mas. I still need to check out the links that were posted and decide which one to go with. If anyone has any new information on a sucessful install it certainly would be appreciated.

[YELLOWOPELINNH]

I decided to buy the retro-sounds radio from Crutchfield. I tried to order from their website(retrosounds) but it was actually less expensive to order through Crutchfield(free shipping). I was tempted by some older radios on E-bay......actually still thinking about one that the seller says will fit. It came out of a Mercedes from the same era. I was undecided to go for the new electronics or to try to find one that would have been stock in a European model. Since the car was for my wife I went with the newer radio as I think that is what she would like. It's wrapped for x-mas. When I do the install I'll take some pictures and report back on how it worked .

[hrcollinsjr]

To me there is just something wrong with a DIGITAL display radio in an older car! Plus the redundacy of having two clocks in the dash. I know you can fix that by replacing the clock with the new volt/eng. oil temp gauge from OGTS.

Harold

[Bill Hoffmann]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr To me there is just something wrong with a DIGITAL display radio in an older car! Plus the redundacy of having two clocks in the dash. I know you can fix that by replacing the clock with the new volt/eng. oil temp gauge from OGTS. Harold

To some extent, I agree with you - most of today's head units have such garish displays they look way out of place. For me, though, the Retrosound's relatively simple digital display is period correct because when I started driving Opels in the mid-80s, most radios had seven-segment digital displays of some kind.

In my mind, the important feature of this radio is the AUX input. Yes, you can use an FM transmitter or cassette adapter with an old analog dial head unit, but they compromise sound quality. It's not easy to find any shaft mount unit with an AUX input and I doubt there are any analog dial units like that. If you're a purist, you can leave the factory radio intact, mount the Retrosound radio out of sight, and control it with the IR remote.

Bill

[hrcollinsjr]

Bill,

If a decent stereo system is important then this may be the best compromise between keeping it as original as possible and a custom system where loudness is the most important goal. Sound quality doesn't seem to be important, just how hard it hits. I guess I'm getting old but I see no need for the systems that can cause (rapid) permanent hearing loss and the idiots that insist on "sharing" their music with everyone around whether we like their brand of music or not. Please SOMEBODY kick the soapbox out from under me.

Harold

[newman27]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr ...Please SOMEBODY kick the soapbox out from under me. Harold

Harold...Harold...Harold...you don't enjoy having the suspension bolts of your car rattled loose by the bass emanating from the car next to you?!? What's wrong with you?!? . I get the point about the retro look stereo, but if I had to drive around without satellite radio I would go insane. Having scores of commercial free, continuous music that stays tuned in on the same station number from coast to coast can't be beat. If you really hate the digital radio look in the dash, I would go with Bill's suggestion and mount the modern radio out of site. Finally, once you've cruised around in your '70's car listening to "XM '70s on 7" you'll never go back...

Matt

[scodari]

Me and my son purchased a Dual XC4100 last year; it went in perfect with no modifications necessary. Its not a great radio , only 30 watts and no push buttons but it is an am/fm cassette with an input for an MP3 player. As a result of the small cockpit, the sound is pretty darn good. It's cheap too, $30.80 from Amazon.com Amazon.com: Dual XC4100 2 Shaft Cassette Player with AM/FM Receiver: Electronics

[DennisGardiner]

Saw a few vendors at SEMA in Vegas last month that specialized in modern radios (iPod, CD controller, MP3, Satellite etc.) for classic cars that both do not break the budget and require no cutting.
Vintage Car Radio .com
Custom Autosound Radio Models

And... If cost is no issue, this company will take the stock original radio you have (send it in to them) and they will convert your radio using the existing controls and push-buttons.
Vintage Auto Radio Services

And,... for those of you who want to keep the original radio 'as-is' with no upgrades, but want to have them work properly (no crackling volume button) and actually 'find' and tune-in an AM station.
Vintage Radio Restorations

[Engine-Ear]

I agree with Harold.

regarding trailblazer2727's suggestion, they have a demo video on youtube...

here is the link: YouTube - A must-have for the classic car guy.

...the video is low-buck and the fist 10 or so seconds has the sound muted, but WATCH IT... It is UNLIKE anything else out there and you get complete flexibility using your ORIGINAL radio.

[Bill Hoffmann]

Originally Posted by Engine-Ear It is UNLIKE anything else out there and you get complete flexibility using your ORIGINAL radio.

True, it's a good solution for a purist's car equipped with the original AM radio, but it's not what you would call high fidelity since it's coming through a limited bandwidth monaural system.

Our first Opel, a '73 1900 wagon with dealer installed A/C had an FM converter that played through the original radio, and sounded like you would expect - similar to comparing a home stereo system to a clock radio.