Anyone using a vintage look but modern radio

[tdskip]

My DPO tossed the original radio for my 1974 and I am thinking about putting in a MP3/iPod compatible unit that looks correct for an earlier middie.

Anyone done this? Pictures? Sound quality of your unit?

Thanks

[Canada Kev]

If you're handy with electronic type stuff, you could mod an old radio to work with the mp3 or iPod devices. There are also other products that will work without the radio so you could use an original type radio. Its name has slipped my mind for the moment, though IIRC it was named after some type of bird or something. There's a guy here on Pelican who used it in his build of a beautiful orange ST tribute, again I can't even remember HIS name. Must be getting old with the memory thing failing...

[prebordao]

I think syzygy is talking about "Parrot" - they make bluetooth stuff for cars

[sm70911]

Southwest stereo (something like that). I think they mod some of the OEM units for Ipods / MP3 play. IIRC not cheap though.

[Ray_G]

I am thinking of going with this:
Vintage 70's Style AM FM Car Stereo Radio w/iPOD & USB Inputs MP3 & CD Player | eBay

[Porchcar guy]

I bought a current Kenwood model that is very simple looking. no green lights, red lights, body is gray and black so suits the interior, detachable face, blue tooth with mike, ipod cord in glove box and it has a really cute feature. the clock digits look analog and rotate down so the new number pushes the old number from the screen. Simple pleasures :=). ILiked it so much I put it in my Camaro too.

[Joe Bob]

Woody' Stereo makes a vintage look with modern guts and an IPOD jack. Worked well on my 6v 356. They sell online and eBay.

[pplkook]

Originally Posted by Porchcar guy

I bought a current Kenwood model that is very simple looking. no green lights, red lights, body is gray and black so suits the interior, detachable face, blue tooth with mike, ipod cord in glove box and it has a really cute feature. the clock digits look analog and rotate down so the new number pushes the old number from the screen. Simple pleasures :=). ILiked it so much I put it in my Camaro too.

Care to share the model number? Will it do audio via bluetooth i.e. get pandora running on the iPhone and stream it without the cord?

-Jack

[blucille]

google parrot asteroid

[privatepang]

I just use a cassette with mono cable attachment..

its stuck in my tape deck now ;(

[lupin..the..3rd]

I've never used it, but heard good things about the RetroSound:

RetroSoundUSA.com - Classic Radio Systems, Speakers, and Accessories

[tdskip]

What is this "cassette" thing you speak of? Grin.

[1985RedTarga]

CAR CASSETTE TAPE ADAPTER FOR CD MP3 IPOD TOUCH IPHONE | eBay


I think this is what he's talking about. I used one for my ipod and it did just fine. But buy a good one, not like the link. I bought my at Radio Shack for about 15 bucks. The cheaper ones like this one are, well, cheap.

[oh snap]

Originally Posted by sonett43

google parrot asteroid

Thats awesome. Exactly what Ive been looking for. Not exactly an OEM look but its at least subtly styled and not neon and chrome.

[dave 911]

Originally Posted by 1985RedTarga

CAR CASSETTE TAPE ADAPTER FOR CD MP3 IPOD TOUCH IPHONE | eBay


I think this is what he's talking about. I used one for my ipod and it did just fine. But buy a good one, not like the link. I bought my at Radio Shack for about 15 bucks. The cheaper ones like this one are, well, cheap.

That's what I do also - my vintage stereo is still installed and in use in my vintage 911 . The cheap solution .

And if I really feel like going old school, I put in my Hotel California cassette.

[mystro]

Yea, I am using one for my Ipod touch. Get the Sony one on Ebay. It works great.

Originally Posted by 1985RedTarga

CAR CASSETTE TAPE ADAPTER FOR CD MP3 IPOD TOUCH IPHONE | eBay


I think this is what he's talking about. I used one for my ipod and it did just fine. But buy a good one, not like the link. I bought my at Radio Shack for about 15 bucks. The cheaper ones like this one are, well, cheap.

[ddubois]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Woody' Stereo makes a vintage look with modern guts and an IPOD jack. Worked well on my 6v 356. They sell online and eBay.

Here's the Woody unit in my 71. No cutting or modification of the dash required. The unit is pricy for the quality, but no cutting was important for me. When I received the unit one of the rotary/push buttons didn't work and I had to contact the distributor directly. They promptly sent me a switch which I had to install. Kind of irritating for the price/quality, but whatever, it works now. The Aux input connects to the iPod via the headphone jack.

[RWebb]

an adapter that uses the tape head in the cassette well is indeed the cheap solution, but sound quality suffers greatly - it is the low end for sound quality

.. several options will be intermediate in sound quality (and likely cost)

the highest quality solution would be something that reads uncompressed digital files and then uses a low jitter way to do the D > A conversion (I dunno if there is anything like this for car stereo; Ian may know)

[blucille]

I just put this in my '73 and am very impressed....Parrot asteroid, $350....lots of cool features, and available apps coming....has some internet capability, if you have a phone with networking built in....

nice clean look, works well, feels like it is well made....

[oh snap]

Originally Posted by sonett43

I just put this in my '73 and am very impressed....Parrot asteroid, $350....lots of cool features, and available apps coming....has some internet capability, if you have a phone with networking built in....

nice clean look, works well, feels like it is well made....

[img]http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads19/IMG_0372+2+1320864082.jpg[mg]

I'm very impressed with this product. After reading about itwhen it was posted earlier in this thread it seeems like the ideal head unit for an older car. Looks quite OEM. Some nice features and though the screen is small, it beats running a cord from you cigarette lighter to a garmin on your dash.

I need to find someone who sells it here. Where did you buy? Any issues so far? How smooth is the interface?