Can anyone recommend a radio that will fit in the place of the original dash radio? Repop radios are expensive...would like to play MP3's and perhaps some CDs. Not concerned that much about looks but would rather not butcher the dash. Thanks, Steve
Why not retube and recap the original, then wire an 1/8 input jack into the line stage of the radio? You get to keep the cool nostalgic look, and simply mount the 1/8 jack or drill the dash somewhere and mount. Even if you're not good around electronics / tube gear, there's places that re-do DC tube radios for a decent price, and I'm sure wiring in the 1/8 jack will be very easy for them. This is the route I'm going to go, but I'll DIY the work.
I did exactly that, and I'm loving it. Instead of a jack, I have a 1/8 male lead that I ran into the area of the ashtray and the ashtry serves as an iPhone/iPod stand.
There is a gadget that allows you to play your MP3, CD player etc thru your original AM radio, by broadcasting to it on the AM band. Sorry I don't have any other details.
This is more practical, but AM/FM modulators put out a very compressed signal, and with AM, it would be horrifically compressed (as AM is anyways). By wiring directly into the line stage, you are getting a full hifi sound and with good tubes and a little capacitor rolling, you could actually get a pretty darn good sound. If you pulled out the old Alnico speaker in the radio and swapped into something that was coax that actually had a tweeter in it, holy hell...it would be AM radio audio nirvana! lol.
I installed my Stock radio then put a new unit with a remote controller in the trunk. I then installed a Fiber Optic cable from under the dash to the unit in the trunk. I use my stock On Off knob to turn it on and off, The remote just changes stations, CD, mP3. I only wish I could make the volumn work with the stock knob also. I put pockets in the front edge of the seat upholstery for my remotes so they aren't just laying around in the car. Works for me. The Wizzard
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