Antique Auto Radio?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
Antique Auto Radio?
Greetings folks,
My POS KHE radio **** the bed. This is the last time I want to open this dash. I'm looking at the AAR bluetooth unit at ZIP. It's very pricey, but the specs and functions are cool and it looks right. I don't mind spending the bucks but want a quality Unit. Anyone have any experience with these? Thanks!
https://www.zip-corvette.com/72-76-a...oth-radio.html
My POS KHE radio **** the bed. This is the last time I want to open this dash. I'm looking at the AAR bluetooth unit at ZIP. It's very pricey, but the specs and functions are cool and it looks right. I don't mind spending the bucks but want a quality Unit. Anyone have any experience with these? Thanks!
https://www.zip-corvette.com/72-76-a...oth-radio.html
Last edited by CheezMoe; Feb 19, 2020 at 05:41 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 155
Likes: 32
Here's the deal. I have a unit from the manufacturer for a '69... It sounds good, and works well- when it works. The size is perfect, it is easy to hook up and use. However, the pointer on the dial uses a separate 'motor' to move. because it is a digital, and not analog radio, the pointer doesn't really matter. As you turn the tuning ****, the radio tunes to whatever channel is next (or prior- depending on which way you turn the ****). That being said, the 'step motor;' which moves the pointer on the dial sometimes becomes stuck and doesn't move, and it takes a while of trying to reset the unit to get it to move back and forth along the dial. I would call and ask if they have installed a new motor/method on moving the dial, and what it includes. So far, it is the best radio on the market however that is a major flaw. So bad in fact, I am hesitant on buying one for my newly acquired t-bird.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
Thank for that. It's annoying things like that which make you want to choke someone after spending all that money and effort. I probably wouldn't listen to the radio much, but still. I'll be sure to ask about it! Appreciate the reply and info! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
had a earlier unit, pre BT, paid nearly 700$US (approx 1050$ AU today) 6 yrs ago, so quite an expensive outlay from down here.
arrived broken in the box, **** shafts loose, no red dial pointer - was rattling around inside.
was expensive to ship back for repairs and was over a month before i got it back.
aux input eventually failed, it didn't respond mp3 input,
i asked them about replacement circuit boards, but they no longer stock them and the new ones wont work in the unit i have.
but unit is still in the dash for looks.
i went remote Kenwood BTKAC-M1824BT amp mounted up under the dash and haven't looked back.
arrived broken in the box, **** shafts loose, no red dial pointer - was rattling around inside.
was expensive to ship back for repairs and was over a month before i got it back.
aux input eventually failed, it didn't respond mp3 input,
i asked them about replacement circuit boards, but they no longer stock them and the new ones wont work in the unit i have.
but unit is still in the dash for looks.
i went remote Kenwood BTKAC-M1824BT amp mounted up under the dash and haven't looked back.
Last edited by riverracer au; Feb 20, 2020 at 03:47 PM. Reason: spelling
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Here's the deal. I have a unit from the manufacturer for a '69... It sounds good, and works well- when it works. The size is perfect, it is easy to hook up and use. However, the pointer on the dial uses a separate 'motor' to move. because it is a digital, and not analog radio, the pointer doesn't really matter. As you turn the tuning ****, the radio tunes to whatever channel is next (or prior- depending on which way you turn the ****). That being said, the 'step motor;' which moves the pointer on the dial sometimes becomes stuck and doesn't move, and it takes a while of trying to reset the unit to get it to move back and forth along the dial. I would call and ask if they have installed a new motor/method on moving the dial, and what it includes. So far, it is the best radio on the market however that is a major flaw. So bad in fact, I am hesitant on buying one for my newly acquired t-bird.
Not sure what I will be doing next but it won't be putting in that unit.
Thank you for your advice, you saved me a bunch of heartache and money.
Best regards,
David Howard
AllVettes4Me
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Greetings folks,
My POS KHE radio **** the bed. This is the last time I want to open this dash. I'm looking at the AAR bluetooth unit at ZIP. It's very pricey, but the specs and functions are cool and it looks right. I don't mind spending the bucks but want a quality Unit. Anyone have any experience with these? Thanks!
https://www.zip-corvette.com/72-76-a...oth-radio.html
My POS KHE radio **** the bed. This is the last time I want to open this dash. I'm looking at the AAR bluetooth unit at ZIP. It's very pricey, but the specs and functions are cool and it looks right. I don't mind spending the bucks but want a quality Unit. Anyone have any experience with these? Thanks!
https://www.zip-corvette.com/72-76-a...oth-radio.html
I am now subscribed to your thread because I am looking for a new stereo setup and my interior is currently out of the car. I will be putting it all back together in April so now is the time to find a new stereo that will work for me. I have the stock stereo which works, but technology has advanced so far that, well, time for me to catch up.
I was going to post a thread about what to use, I will watch this one and not interfere with yours but learn from you and others.
Thank you for letting me tag along.
Best regards,
David Howard
AllVettes4Me
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,850
Likes: 142
From: Tampa, Fl.
Hey, I get the, 'Gotta have the better sound,' thing. But, you know what, my old stock mono radio sounds pretty good, especially since I put in a new pair of those 10 ohm Electro-Tech speakers.
As for updating to a new, latest-and-greatest sound system, maybe later. Right now, I've got other stuff that needs fixin' on my '71.
As for updating to a new, latest-and-greatest sound system, maybe later. Right now, I've got other stuff that needs fixin' on my '71.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
It's amazing, but many of the other generation Corvettes are even today, still encountering similar issues with their cars. All the way to the C6's. One popular solution and one that seems to work reasonably well is the Bluetooth audios that transmit through an (unused) FM frequency to your radio. These are very simple to install and use, with virtually no modifications and are extremely inexpensive. Until a more reliable solution arrives, and there have been many over the years most of which fail to meet our expectations or keep up with the latest technology, these devices can provide an excellent bridge to the future.
Check out some of the topics in the Audio/Electronics Forum within General Corvette Topics.
Here is just one discussion to possible solutions for a C2 Forum member, https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...0-s-radio.html
Good luck... GUSTO
Check out some of the topics in the Audio/Electronics Forum within General Corvette Topics.
Here is just one discussion to possible solutions for a C2 Forum member, https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...0-s-radio.html
Good luck... GUSTO
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Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I installed the Vintage radio in my 62 and love it.
Now the newer ones are bluetooth capable which I wish I had since I keep most of my music on my cell now days. I really like the radio but I've not upgraded my speaker in the radio is limited.... but still it's better to me than the original radio. I carry these and if you do decide to get one give Tommy a call.
On the 65 we restored we also used that same style radio but we had to upgrade the dash speaker and installed a rear sound bar for the customer that we custom made.
There is a company around that will convert your old radio to a newer style radio and maintain the exact original case, I've not used them but I have heard good things about the product.
IMHO,
Willcox
Now the newer ones are bluetooth capable which I wish I had since I keep most of my music on my cell now days. I really like the radio but I've not upgraded my speaker in the radio is limited.... but still it's better to me than the original radio. I carry these and if you do decide to get one give Tommy a call.
On the 65 we restored we also used that same style radio but we had to upgrade the dash speaker and installed a rear sound bar for the customer that we custom made.
There is a company around that will convert your old radio to a newer style radio and maintain the exact original case, I've not used them but I have heard good things about the product.
IMHO,
Willcox
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
for my radio, I have a cassette that converts the digital output of my cellphone to a the analog format the old radios know. It was a $10 purchase and works great. Its basically a cassette with a wire stickign out the back of it that hangs out of the slot and goes to your phone or any other device that has an audio jack. Not 100% sure how it works as there is no tap to read, but it does.
Here is an example. I don't have this one, but its what it looks like.
Here is an example. I don't have this one, but its what it looks like.
Last edited by ~Stingray; Feb 20, 2020 at 12:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
Thanks for all the responses guy's. I'm currently not desperate for tunes. I have a PYLE amp in one of the storage bins and good speakers in the Kick panels one of those speaker bars in the back. I use a bluetooth adapter and sync my Iphone to it. It all actually sounds pretty good. But I have no radio and the KHE unit in the dash is completely broken. All it does is fill the hole. I'm planning to take the dash apart in the next few weeks to replace all the gauge lighting so I figured that while it's apart I would replace the radio unit. Based on these reply's I'm rethinking that plan and may just leave it like it is.
I'm going to call ZIP and grille them about this one. I might order one and bench test it and then decide whether to send it back or not. Having something that looks original and picks up radio is attractive to me though. I'll keep ya'll posted!
I'm going to call ZIP and grille them about this one. I might order one and bench test it and then decide whether to send it back or not. Having something that looks original and picks up radio is attractive to me though. I'll keep ya'll posted!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 155
Likes: 32
I can give you the number directly to the manufacturer. I’d call them and ask them, not Zip who is only the middleman. Actually you can purchase directly through the company also. Like I said, I got mine through Eckler’s on eBay. Like I said, it’s a good radio and small and looks original, but the motor for the pointer on the dial drives me nuts. There are a few other options out there.
I would look into the idea of sending you current one out and having the internals updated. I’ve heard good things about that as well.
I would look into the idea of sending you current one out and having the internals updated. I’ve heard good things about that as well.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,996
Likes: 6,213
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
This issue was an ongoing problem that I had the entire time I owned my ‘69. I hated all the replacement radios, all of them were ugly. I didn’t want to add speakers or other non OEM equipment. The fact the ‘69 doesn’t have dash speakers doesn’t help at all. After many tries, I had my stock ‘69 stereo radio converted to new “guts” . The results were, meh, although the iPod jack made me able to use my phone for music. I eventually relented to kick panel speakers and an amp tucked in the back. Hated the look on both. Improved somewhat, but not great.
Not a fan of the upgrade options to the terrible early C3 sounds, and I’m not even a stereo guy.
Not a fan of the upgrade options to the terrible early C3 sounds, and I’m not even a stereo guy.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
Greetings folks,
My POS KHE radio **** the bed. This is the last time I want to open this dash. I'm looking at the AAR bluetooth unit at ZIP. It's very pricey, but the specs and functions are cool and it looks right. I don't mind spending the bucks but want a quality Unit. Anyone have any experience with these? Thanks!
https://www.zip-corvette.com/72-76-a...oth-radio.html
My POS KHE radio **** the bed. This is the last time I want to open this dash. I'm looking at the AAR bluetooth unit at ZIP. It's very pricey, but the specs and functions are cool and it looks right. I don't mind spending the bucks but want a quality Unit. Anyone have any experience with these? Thanks!
https://www.zip-corvette.com/72-76-a...oth-radio.html
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Anybody just bite the bullet and install a DIN style radio and said 
to the old style?
You all have been great and I appreciate allowing me to piggyback on this one, amazing information.
I ordered a gauge plate with standard radio from Willcox and now I am thinking I should have ordered a DIN style.
Have to give Tommy a call.
Thanks to you all.
David Howard
AllVettes4Me
to the old style? You all have been great and I appreciate allowing me to piggyback on this one, amazing information.
I ordered a gauge plate with standard radio from Willcox and now I am thinking I should have ordered a DIN style.
Have to give Tommy a call.
Thanks to you all.
David Howard
AllVettes4Me
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 750
Likes: 180
From: Springfield Missouri
I have an Alpine radio and an Alpine 6 disc player behind the drivers seat in my 76. I updated the dash speakers and added 6x9's in the corners under the rear window. I make my own CD's mostly 50's and 60's and a bit of old country as I'm not into hip hop rap or much of the garbage out today. If I can't whistle it it ain't music.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20