original radio
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
Likes: 22
From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
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.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
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.
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,986
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
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??
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; Oct 28, 2009 at 04:23 PM. Reason: went looking
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
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??
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??
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.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
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.
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.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 297
Likes: 3
73 radio
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.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,986
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
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...
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G
Id like to see it without the digital display showing...
I dunno if its close enough...
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; Oct 30, 2009 at 01:58 AM. Reason: add original pic
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
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.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
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"....
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"....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
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...
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G
Id like to see it without the digital display showing...
Why did they have to make it with a digital display?
Explains why Ecklers have a tilted down picture
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,062
Likes: 103
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
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.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,986
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 809
Likes: 8
From: brewster NY
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.
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.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,986
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
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.
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.
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.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 3
From: Woodinville WA
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.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Originally Posted by Vettebuyer5869
...Wonderbar radio in my '58 ...
I realize you guys are not likely to put speakers in the doors.