Wonderbar

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Oct 16, 2010 | 04:46 PM

ktchir

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 796

Likes: 1

From: Georgetown Texas

Wonderbar

Does anyone know if there is a crossover fit for a Wonderbar radio for a 59? (Something that would bolt in to the existing opening, I know the buttons, ***** and display would be different.

Not interested in an aftermarket, just something that would fit and sort of look period correct.

Thanks

Oct 17, 2010 | 09:03 AM

jafranke

Racer

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 380

Likes: 1

From: Harveys Lake Pa

You can actually buy a reproduction that looks like a wonderbar for your 59 and works like a modern radio with FM and input jacks for a CD player, IPOD or anyother device. I have one in my 59 and love it. I replaced my single speaker with one that uses stereo inputs into a single cone. It works well. It looks great and you have to get very, verry close to see that it isn't original. My origninal radio is in my garage boxed up with the original steering wheel and a few other parts that I wanted to keep. The wonderbar "seek" feature even works. Below is a link:

http://www.vintagecarradio.com/store/all_prodcats.php

Good Luck

Jon

Oct 17, 2010 | 09:10 AM

ktchir

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 796

Likes: 1

From: Georgetown Texas

Thanks for the info

Oct 17, 2010 | 09:57 AM

Frankie the Fink

Team Owner

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 58,061

Likes: 7,146

Army

These products are actually made in Florida and here is the manufacturer's web site: http://www.radiosforoldcars.com/newradio0F.htm.

A friend visited the shop and it really is a "Mom and Pop" operation in a small building. I'm tickled with mine (except for the price) but more recent purchasers have had some QA problems.

My original (still working) Wonderbar is in storage with a complete extra set of vacuum tubes.

There are certainly other MUCH cheaper options but they just look like cr@p IMO... The other alternative is to gut your original Wonderbar and upgrade it internally to FM, iPod, etc.. Couldn't bring myself to do that.

Oct 17, 2010 | 10:41 AM

Steve59

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 1,921

Likes: 53

From: Philadelphia Pa

I bought a junk Wonderbar on Ebay and had Mike Hagen put the new stuff in it, looks totally original but now has AM/FM and input jacks in the back for external connections. The only down side was the new set up needs a modern speaker, can't use the old one.

Oct 17, 2010 | 10:48 AM

Frankie the Fink

Team Owner

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 58,061

Likes: 7,146

Army

True...the old speaker has a matching transformer on it so you have to upgrade the speaker along with the Wonderbar internals. The best dash speaker is NOT the dual cone speaker but the Eckler speaker that has all leads to one bass cone: http://www.ecklers.com/corvette-dual...1958-1967.html. Ignore this advice at your own peril...trust me I have some expensive, gently used dual cones in original boxes that distorted like crazy at hi volume if somebody wants to make an offer.

You're delusional if you think you are going to get stereo separation from a single dash speaker anyway...

Oct 17, 2010 | 11:49 AM

mike coletta

Safety Car

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 4,462

Likes: 1,293

From: minneola fl

Ken,
Most of the radios of the 50's, 60's, and into the 70's used a 9" **** spacing. It was then changed to 7", and then what we have today which is a full face. If you find an old radio with the 9" **** spacing, it should be pretty close to a fit. You could also make a stainless or "plate" to fit over the existing holes, and use the 7" spacing (you'll be cutting the existing holes open). With the cost of systems today, I would change it out to newer technology, but make sure that you change your speaker also (the stock "loaded" speaker won't work). Good luck.

Mike Coletta