davat

Hi.
How can i improve the sound and reception on my original '73 radio?

David.

Derrick Reynolds

I'm not an expert on this, but if we are talking original radios from 1973, there is little you can do to improve the sound. When you say radio, I assume that means that you don't have stereo, so you have one hand tied behind your back to start with. Modern speakers will give a "better" sound, but I wouldn't expect them to work wonders. If the thing really sounds like crap, there are guys who will work on them for you, but again, unless you are going to go to non-original inards, it will never sound better than it did in 1973. Reception is the same way, if your antenna is working and the radio is working, you got what you got.

If you are really interested in better sound, you can get a stereo that looks like the original radio but is modern on the inside, and install modern speakers and greatly improve the sound. I know that is kind of a general answer, but it was kind of a general question. If you have a specific goal in mind, I am sure there are folks here who will help you get there.

emccomas

Replace it with something more modern.

Seriously, those old radios, even if they are working right, don't sound that great.

What kind of shape are your speakers in? That would be a good starting point, since you can't see them once they are installed.

Is your 73 radio mono or stereo? Stereo might help a bit, but not much.

OK, here is a plan (may not be a good plan)
1. Upgrade the speakers to some top quality 6x9s (I think that is the correct size). Anyway, whatever fits properly.
2. If you want to keep the original look, get a 73 style stereo (not mono) radio and have it completely rebuild by someone who knows what they are doing.

You can also have modern internals put into an original radio. Won't be totally original, but will sound much better.

Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

rajsid

If you are not into complete originality, Ecklers sells a modern radio with MP3 player that looks exactly like the stock radio. I have been thinking about putting it in my car.

vettebuyer6369

Eckler's does? I replaced the original Wonderbar radio in my '58 with a dead-on repro but with all modern insides and I love it.

However, I have yet to see a replacement/repro radio for the early C3s that look remotely like original. All the ones I see are .

OK, EDIT- I went to the Eckler site and looked... couldnt find it listed on 26 pages of search (uccch, USA-1, others) but after clicking on something, it did show a "reproduction" radio for about $350 with modern guts off in the right column..

Problem is it was advertised as looking "just like GM" but the 1 and only picture was tilted down a bit and does not show it properly. Any other pictures??

rajsid

Here's a bigger picture.

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...&dept_id=1028#

I agree.. I could not search and find this radio either, but showed up on the right side when I clicked on something.

First time I saw this was in an email ad that Ecklers sent out.

vettebuyer6369

yep, thats the same bigger picture of the small tilted down pic I saw. Its a start, but I need a lot more detail.

Easy Mike

You can trim the antenna for somewhat better reception. New cars came with a tag on the radio telling how to make the adjustment. The how-to might be in the chassis service manual.

Check to ensure the antenna ground plate has a good, clean, ground.

Original speakers are probably dying these days, so you could go with newer replacements.

You have to remember, the stock unit is a far cry from Bose.

Buddy1980

I used this method on my 73 factory stereo radio. I installed new speakers, then installed a small amp/equalizer under the passenger dash panel. This boosted the power level of the radio and it sounded pretty good. Very easy to do a not a lot of money. Not a Bose quality, but heck, the cars are usually so loud anyway who cares.

vettebuyer6369

I think this is it raj, at Corvette Central:

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G

Id like to see it without the digital display showing...




I dunno if its close enough...

BKarol

This is out of my 78 chasis manual on trimming:

Ganey

New speakers in the kick panel location. About 5 3/4" H X 4" W X 2 1/4" D so 4X6 fit easily & maybe 5X7. Some 5.25 can be fitted to kick panel location. If the tweeters are separate or adjustable, tilt up & back towards the center. A mounting plate must be used to separate the front from back sound waves to prevent cancellation for better bass.

leadfoot4

If you don't want to get too carried away with replacing the radio, there's an article in the November 2009 issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine about "hopping up" your factory radio.

According to the article, a man by the name of Robert Pacini operates a shop called "Precision Stereo Repair", in New Hartford NY (315-797-5219) and he adds a few capacitors and "tunes" the radio to perform better. Granted, it's not like installing a 2009, state of the art, 200W stereo, but it's good for the "purist"....

rajsid

Why why?
Why did they have to make it with a digital display?

Explains why Ecklers have a tilted down picture

srs244

if you wish to remain "stock" and original, trim and speakers are your options assuming that your antenna is properly grounded and functioning properly. as mentioned in one of the earlier posts, there are firms that will rebuild your original radio with all modern circuitry leaving the appearance "original". their work is worth the money if you are planning on spending any time in the car and the sound system is important to you. many advertise in places like hemmings motor news, etc. i'm sure a google search would be helpful also.

vettebuyer6369

The 1958-62 repro Wonderbars are dead-on, without the silly digitals. You have to look PAST the stock-looking station numbers to see the modern tuning behind.

This one simply gives up on the lettering, doesnt use the "Delco" (apparently didnt pay for licensing) and even the "FM" graphic is a weak copy. This should have been easy. They would have sold a bunch of them if they looked right.

turbojet

http://vintageautoradio.com/
Send them your original radio or store yours and buy one on ebay.
I can send you a pic but it's no different than yours. They can build
it to your specs, I got mine with sub outputs an I pod outputs.
I put my amp in the battery compartment and the sub in the jack
you see nothing. Then the 6.5 in the kick panels sounds great and looks original.

vettebuyer6369

Is the amp and sub necessary?
They say the conversion is 180 Amp
Stereo necessary?
Does your amp/sub get in the way of the jack / battery?
6.5 fit in kick panel?

I was disappointed that they did not have a repro, but I guess a conversion will do.

Frogday

This looks interesting, might be worth checking out. I think it says 180 watts RMS. I don't want to have to mount an amp anywhere, so if it is all self-contained, I'll probably find a core and give it a shot.

Ganey

FYI guys, when I was a kid I had an old at the time 57 Chevy w/ Wonderbar radio. I put 5 1/4s in the doors & made a dramatic day & night difference.

I realize you guys are not likely to put speakers in the doors.