dcaggiani

Purists please do not continue to read....

I had a Retrosound in my 64 for the last 3 years and it was fine, it fit in the original location but was a bit weak and was quirky.
In the past 2 years I combed the Internet to find a replacement and I did just that, a Rockford Fosgate unit. It is designed for marine use and the dimensions are perfect for a C2 installation.

This unit has a color 2.7 screen to display your music from USB, AUX, Bluetooth, built in Pandora (your phone links to it automatically), AM/FM/WB, on board control of the subwoofer and so on....

Needless to say, I am happy with the results. Here is a shot of my interior with the new unit installed as well as a picture of the dimensions of the unit.

59vetteman

Man, I love the seats and center arm rest. I could sleep comfortably in there!!!

mrg

dc ..
Nice looking unit with a lot of features. This may be over the top, but too bad it didn't also have GPS. Id find a place to put it if it did. Thanks for posting.
John

warrenmj

That looks cool. I also have the Retrosound and although it works, I also think it's weak and works kind of "quirky". What is the model number of the Rockford Fosgate unit you bought?

dcaggiani

It is model PMX-2

00fxd

I have the same Retrosound unit in my Convertible. It does everything I want it to except I can NOT see or read the the screen in any sort of light with the top down or even on bright days with the top up. I have to reply on seek etc. For that reason alone I can not recommend it. I will look into the R/F unit tho. Thanks dcaggiani.

roadking40

Nice. Looks great. That is a great product btw...What did you do for speakers?

PaulUptime

I've seen other marine radio units installed to a C2, but none that look as good as that R-F unit.

For my own application (done like 15 years ago) I decided I wanted the choice, quality, accessibility and flexibility of a standard DIN sized radio so the only choice was to notch the dash. To hide the remaining unused dash holes from the old radio, a stainless panel was custom cut and bent, then clear-coated to match the glove box door.

Visually I do like how the panel separates the driver/passenger cove, and the DIN radio choices (3 over the years) have worked out well too. Kenwood was the only radio that played CD's vertically, but don't use discs any more as the aux (phone) and USB plugs are simple and convenient. All the controls are at my fingertips and the remote is a nice option when I'm working outside the car.

I run two amps - the rear one powers a rear tube sub plus two 6x9 3-way in a custom mdf rear shelf (hinged to open for storage, and locks.) The second is a small R-F amp in the front dash and powers front kickpanel speakers and a 6x9 mid-sub I put in the original center location for fuller mid-lows with the top down.



Here's a pic I found online that someone took of it at Carlisle.

dcaggiani

I am using the Custom Autosound front speaker that handles 135 watts with a couple of 6x9 in the back panel along with a 5-channel Pioneer Amp and Bazooka 6" subwoofer.

Roger O'Dell

I really like it, and I'm not an ncrs type. I like the comfy and driveable. I put a retro sound in a 59 Impala , with a small amp and love it. I've got a 63 at paint shop, and putting a 525 ls3 with auto, and all 67 brakeing sys. So I'm not adverse to change. But all that could be easily reversed when I croak. BUT I'm going to think long and hard before I cut to fit that unit. AND you have me thinking.

dcaggiani

Roger:
The unit requires a 3" diameter cut to fit. Fortunately, the original rectangular shape is almost completely covered by the R/F unit once installed with a small 1/8" gap at the bottom that is easy to patch.

Yes - I did need to widen the opening on both sides with a file to allow it to fit and yes - if I ever had to go stock (which I will never do) it will require some work to fiberglass it back to shape...... but oh well....

Good luck with the 63 - look forward to seeing pictures of it in a new thread...

Dan

Roger O'Dell

OH I doubt that I would ever put the stock stuff back either. I just keep the stuff. My wife would never do it either. She has a fit if I ever try to sell a car. The cars I build are only if ever sold, and the only to very close friends that's why I have 30. But some day I"ll be gone, then years after she will pass . It's the owners after that who may want to convert (but won't be my problem)

dcaggiani

Here is another shot outside during daylight hours for a better view:

warrenmj

Dan, are the stock looking volume and tuning ***** just for original looks and to fill the holes?

dcaggiani

Great eye!
This is part one of a bigger future project. For now, the ***** are from the old Retrosound radio to keep the look and fill the holes. In the future, I plan to have the dash redone to re-position the radio just a little bit higher (after filling in holes and the like) and re-covering with leather. Obviously, that is a bigger job for another time.
For now, pure driving enjoyment!!!!


Dan

warrenmj

How did you attach the ***** to the dash?

dcaggiani

The Retrosound radio is modular so I was able to disconnect the actual *****/stems from the radio unit and simply re -attach them back to the car with a dangling unconnected plug that no one will ever see. It is a quick solution that looks better than having open holes.

warrenmj

I think I see one of these in my future!

dcaggiani

You have to love social media - an amazing thing.......
Someone from Rockford contacted me after seeing this post and requested further pictures of my 64 RestoMod with the Rockford Fosgate installation. They used the pictures on their Facebook page.... super cool.

https://www.facebook.com/rockfordfosgate

Take a look

Railroadman

REAL men don't need a GPS! We just instinctively know where to go!