Audio system for a '72 C-3
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 515
Likes: 66
From: Grosse Pte. Mich.
Audio system for a '72 C-3
Has anyone bought the Custom Autosound USA-1 AM/FM Sereo Cassette unit? How does it sound with a good set of speakers?
Are there any other recommendations for a unit that requires no
modifications to the car? Thanks.
Are there any other recommendations for a unit that requires no
modifications to the car? Thanks.
East bound and down...
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 987
Likes: 3
From: Jonesboro Arkansas
If still have your factory radio, you can send it to Gary Tayman and he will put digital guts in it for you. That way it looks like 1972, but sounds like 2005. His conversion is rated at 180 watts RMS. I can hear it over the roar of the 2 chamber Flowmasters that I have on my car. Here's a link:
http://taymanelectrical.samsbiz.com/...tory0.content&
http://taymanelectrical.samsbiz.com/...tory0.content&
Last edited by LS-Five; Aug 31, 2005 at 04:54 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 6
From: 68 427 4.11s Roadster
I think the custom radios are too expensive for what you get. If I had to do again put an Ipod or other in and use amps.
I still have my radio amp and 4x10s and can fade to the amped multispeaker system. Like picures this is a thing that can't be appreciated until you hear it. Radio wattage is way over rated.
If you just want to pop something in and don't mind using only cassettes these modified radios might be right for you. I was/am still disapointed by the sound out of them but you can at least hear it.
I still have my radio amp and 4x10s and can fade to the amped multispeaker system. Like picures this is a thing that can't be appreciated until you hear it. Radio wattage is way over rated.
If you just want to pop something in and don't mind using only cassettes these modified radios might be right for you. I was/am still disapointed by the sound out of them but you can at least hear it.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 0
From: Valencia (near LA) CA
I also had a Custom Autosound radio in my car, it did work, but I thought it was kind of ugly. But it souned really bad, it is a very low end radio that comes at a very high price.
I would either have you stock radio modified (only if it's broken) Or just buy a precut bezel so you don't have to ruin yours. Sometime youo can find a precut bezel at a Corvette junk yard for about $50, that is much cheaper than the new precut bezels.
MY favorite type of radio is the Kind where the face spins around and turns completely black when it's not in use. That sort of looks like a radio delete option.
something like this might look cool:
I would either have you stock radio modified (only if it's broken) Or just buy a precut bezel so you don't have to ruin yours. Sometime youo can find a precut bezel at a Corvette junk yard for about $50, that is much cheaper than the new precut bezels.
MY favorite type of radio is the Kind where the face spins around and turns completely black when it's not in use. That sort of looks like a radio delete option.
something like this might look cool:
Last edited by Jay M; Aug 31, 2005 at 06:04 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
I just bought a second Vette and it came with one of those Autosound radios, it sucks. The car has good speakers but the base level on the Autosound is a whole new matter. I'm now looking for a stock 72 Vette radio and will add a amp system. I did this in my 79 Vette and the sound is great now and I did it without having to changing my bezel. I also added a CD changer that works off my FM so I can play CD's. I wanted to keep the inside stock looking. 
Just my experience and 2 cents worth
Just my experience and 2 cents worth
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
I tried the customautosound with their remote mounted CD changer - mounted in a watertight lexan enclosure where the RH muffler used to be. I had to send it back twice and when it died for the third time I gave up on it.
I run an iPod playing through an amp mounted under the RH dash pad and playing through my car speakers. I have a '74 interior so I have four speakers. That system sounds great and is stone cold reliable.
I run an iPod playing through an amp mounted under the RH dash pad and playing through my car speakers. I have a '74 interior so I have four speakers. That system sounds great and is stone cold reliable.
East bound and down...
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 987
Likes: 3
From: Jonesboro Arkansas
Originally Posted by StickShiftCorvette
I tried the customautosound with their remote mounted CD changer - mounted in a watertight lexan enclosure where the RH muffler used to be. I had to send it back twice and when it died for the third time I gave up on it.
I run an iPod playing through an amp mounted under the RH dash pad and playing through my car speakers. I have a '74 interior so I have four speakers. That system sounds great and is stone cold reliable.
I run an iPod playing through an amp mounted under the RH dash pad and playing through my car speakers. I have a '74 interior so I have four speakers. That system sounds great and is stone cold reliable.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 3
From: belle plaine ks
custom autosound
I have one. I don't like the sound of it though. It is tinny sounding, and has manual tuning. I spent some big bucks this summer and bought a pioneer that plays mp3's on disc and has a lot of power. I also bought a new bezel from vette specialties to put it in. I'm waiting for cooler weather to put it in. I think I will like it a lot better. 
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I wound up buying a Pioneer unit and cutting my dash to make it fit. I used a jig saw and cut the opening slipped the radio in. I only have speakers in my dash right now so it is hard to hear when you are running down the road with the top down. Maybe this winter I will add some rear speakers. My Pioneer will play MP3, WMA, CD, and XM. Pretty handy unit IMO.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Thomasville Ga
I took out the original bezel in my 71 vert and saved it. Bought a new one from Willcox ($90.00?)and cut it...
took 20 minutes at most with a Dremel
I then got a DIN modern stereo (250 watts) that plays CD's, CDRW's, WMA's, MP3's and has an auxiliary input on the front of the stereo to plug in an MP3 player(IPOD or DELL, etc) or a cassette player, etc.
I put 4X6 3 way plate speakers in the foot wells and 6X9 5 way speakers in boxes in the storage area. The boxes can be moved around to accomodate luggage
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member.../586584_24.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...84_49_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...84_47_full.jpg
sound is incredible top up or top down,,.
took 20 minutes at most with a Dremel
I then got a DIN modern stereo (250 watts) that plays CD's, CDRW's, WMA's, MP3's and has an auxiliary input on the front of the stereo to plug in an MP3 player(IPOD or DELL, etc) or a cassette player, etc.
I put 4X6 3 way plate speakers in the foot wells and 6X9 5 way speakers in boxes in the storage area. The boxes can be moved around to accomodate luggage
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member.../586584_24.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...84_49_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...84_47_full.jpg
sound is incredible top up or top down,,.