C3 Radio question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 27
Likes: 9
From: Slippery Rock
C3 Radio question
My am/fm radio convector is bad. Is there a place to get a new one or to get existing one fixed?
If not, can anyone make a good suggestion on radio replacement that looks like the old one and sounds good? I have looked at numerous sighs and most of the ones I’ve seen with two **** don’t look good or seem cheaply made. I have a pretty much unmolested 73 so I don’t want to cut anything up. I searched the forums with no luck. I’m hoping some one else has already gone through this and found something good.
thank you!
If not, can anyone make a good suggestion on radio replacement that looks like the old one and sounds good? I have looked at numerous sighs and most of the ones I’ve seen with two **** don’t look good or seem cheaply made. I have a pretty much unmolested 73 so I don’t want to cut anything up. I searched the forums with no luck. I’m hoping some one else has already gone through this and found something good.
thank you!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
If you're ok with the existing radio, the convector is a simple transistor in a large heatsink, if you can't find a replacement used one (still 50 years old) you should be able to get a NEW transistor (NTE105 is a listed replacement) for about $20-25 and it's pretty simple to replace
Now if you want to upgrade to a different radio with blue tooth or sxm then that's a different thing all together
M
Now if you want to upgrade to a different radio with blue tooth or sxm then that's a different thing all together
M
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,750
Likes: 333
From: Southampton MA
I was looking for a new radio for my '69. Stopped looking for now because...life.
Try these guys. I called them once and they said they had a Slide Bar II coming soon.
This seems like a high price (I was thinking more like <$400) but they seem to have the best modern OE looking ones.
https://www.classiccarstereos.com/19...6adbae574dfbb0
Hope this helps
Try these guys. I called them once and they said they had a Slide Bar II coming soon.
This seems like a high price (I was thinking more like <$400) but they seem to have the best modern OE looking ones.
https://www.classiccarstereos.com/19...6adbae574dfbb0
Hope this helps
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 331
Likes: 123
From: Sandusky, OH
I bought a RetroSound that looks fairly correct, even has black *****. Is Bluetooth accessible, 1/8” plug in, and Sirius XM compatible. Although da hell if I can figure out how to access the options. I’m happy with the FM reception and the sound is ok with the top down. I unhook my battery when I leave the car in storage, so I need to redo station memory every time I cruise.
https://www.retromanufacturing.com/p...41993267544220
Steve O.
https://www.retromanufacturing.com/p...41993267544220
Steve O.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 271
Likes: 120
From: Rock Hill South Carolina
Originally Posted by Motorvation;[url=tel:1605713729
1605713729[/url]
Although da hell if I can figure out how to access the options.
Although da hell if I can figure out how to access the options.
I have grown to hate my Retrosound. Every button and **** seems to have at least two or more functions depending on what mode you’re in. Counterintuitive is putting it mildly.
I have a 1982-ish Delco am-fm stereo on my bench right now, in the process of adding Bluetooth to it. It’ll be simple and straightforward, and will look correct.
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,191
Likes: 950
From: Corpus Christi, TX
This might be pricier than you want, but if you don't want to cut up the dash or put in a not quite stock looking aftermarket radio, this might be an option.
http://garytayman.com/
I did this conversion on my 66 in July. Bought a non working C2 radio on eBay that had all working mechanical parts, and sent that for conversion. My original radio is in storage. Also put in a dual voice coil speaker. Very, very pleased with the result. You can add Bluetooth and/or USB for a bit more. These come with 4 speaker outputs if you want all that in your car.
Funny thing, I moved my car to Maine 5 years ago, but never really used the radio, which was working before. Thought AM had gone bad. Bench tested the new radio in the driveway and didn't get much AM. Bad radio? Nahhh, quick check on line showed the nearest AM station is almost 50 miles away!
http://garytayman.com/
I did this conversion on my 66 in July. Bought a non working C2 radio on eBay that had all working mechanical parts, and sent that for conversion. My original radio is in storage. Also put in a dual voice coil speaker. Very, very pleased with the result. You can add Bluetooth and/or USB for a bit more. These come with 4 speaker outputs if you want all that in your car.
Funny thing, I moved my car to Maine 5 years ago, but never really used the radio, which was working before. Thought AM had gone bad. Bench tested the new radio in the driveway and didn't get much AM. Bad radio? Nahhh, quick check on line showed the nearest AM station is almost 50 miles away!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Mikey, be sure to mention whether you have a mono or stereo radio in your search. The mono convector has one transistor, the stereo has two. 
My '73 still has its original mono radio, but I found a working stereo radio at Carlisle about 10 years ago... just haven't gotten around to installing it yet...
Good luck... GUSTO
My '73 still has its original mono radio, but I found a working stereo radio at Carlisle about 10 years ago... just haven't gotten around to installing it yet...
Good luck... GUSTO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
BTW, the radio from '68 thru '76 will all fit in the stock dash.
In 1977 Chevrolet changed the dash to accommodate the generic GM radio to satisfy the increasing demand for 8-track and cassette radios, without having to make a 'limited production' re: expensive radio, so the '77 - '82 radio doesn't fit the earlier dash.
Good luck... GUSTO
In 1977 Chevrolet changed the dash to accommodate the generic GM radio to satisfy the increasing demand for 8-track and cassette radios, without having to make a 'limited production' re: expensive radio, so the '77 - '82 radio doesn't fit the earlier dash.
Good luck... GUSTO
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 27
Likes: 9
From: Slippery Rock
I did get a new transistor and installed. I still have no sound at all. Not even static. As hard as it is putting the radio back in, I think I’ll just listen to the motor rumble instead of music. I’d like to meet the engineer that designed that system of gauges and radio support…..😡