Aftermarket Radios

Status
Not open for further replies.

TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
10,941
19,990
113
Socialist NY
Looking for an aftermarket or "rebuilt" radio for the Cutlass that looks stock but modern internals.

Does anyone upgrade the original GM radios to a more modern type?

Modern turner/higher watts?

Was looking at this Retrosound

Anyone have one?

Newport_Right_Quarter_-_green_07ed70e7-d24c-4d36-b374-797c19ed38d4_large.jpg
 

DRIVEN

Geezer
Apr 25, 2009
8,062
14,479
113
*CENSORED*
Mine was upgraded in 1979 with the finest Sears cassette deck available. Dolby NR and everything!

I haven't used the one you posted but my experience with other "retro" units is that they're really expensive for the lame sound and cheesy looks. Retrosound thinks that one is worth $399 (I know it's way cheaper through other vendors). I guess it all depends on the kind of build you're doing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

200kss

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Apr 17, 2006
28
20
3
Missouri
I have the Retrosound Newport pictured. Yes it's expensive but it fits the build theme of my car and I like it. I'm no audiophile and am not using an amp, just (4) 16 year old speakers that need to be replaced. Honestly wish it had a cd player, showing my age here.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
10,941
19,990
113
Socialist NY

1320John$$$

G-Body Guru
Sep 18, 2019
951
2,043
93
Pennsylvania
I put a stock 1993 Pontiac grand am radio in my 85 Monte Carlo
 

Attachments

  • FD68D3BD-542B-48FE-9DD7-6021DD3CD8FA.jpeg
    FD68D3BD-542B-48FE-9DD7-6021DD3CD8FA.jpeg
    1.2 MB · Views: 171
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

airboatgreg

Comic Book Super Hero
Oct 2, 2016
2,863
3,112
113
I had a mint stock radio given to me. I added nice speakers, amp and blue tooth to listen to pandora
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

AZRegal

Greasemonkey
Aug 20, 2017
178
502
93
Mesa AZ
Looking for an aftermarket or "rebuilt" radio for the Cutlass that looks stock but modern internals.

Does anyone upgrade the original GM radios to a more modern type?

Modern turner/higher watts?

Was looking at this Retrosound

Anyone have one?

Newport_Right_Quarter_-_green_07ed70e7-d24c-4d36-b374-797c19ed38d4_large.jpg

I bought one of these for my Regal. They look the part but the lighting isn't quite right. It is too bright and too vivid to match up to the antique lights in the dash. Even having the dimmer set to low, it still doesn't quite match up. The input jacks on the front look kinda cheap as well. Not quality wise just placement wise. There are a ton of things all the buttons and knobs do but nothing is labeled and it can get confusing. This wouldn't be that big of a deal if the radio was within reach of the driver without having to lean down so far to make adjustments. I didn't drive my car everyday so I forget what most of the buttons would change between trips in the car. Not that i needed to constantly make changes but if you accidentally hold a button too long and activate/deactivate something then good luck trying to figure it out. I don't think a few extra buttons for specific functions like track selection would have killed the look. They could have added buttons that looked like the old ffd rwd and stop bottons like the old cassette players and been just fine. I wouldn't buy it again knowing how it operates. It is not intuitive at all. This is just my opinion. That's all I have to say about that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

Lowdollarbuild

Apprentice
Dec 12, 2018
59
25
18
N E Georgia
I bought one of these for my Regal. They look the part but the lighting isn't quite right. It is too bright and too vivid to match up to the antique lights in the dash. Even having the dimmer set to low, it still doesn't quite match up. The input jacks on the front look kinda cheap as well. Not quality wise just placement wise. There are a ton of things all the buttons and knobs do but nothing is labeled and it can get confusing. This wouldn't be that big of a deal if the radio was within reach of the driver without having to lean down so far to make adjustments. I didn't drive my car everyday so I forget what most of the buttons would change between trips in the car. Not that i needed to constantly make changes but if you accidentally hold a button too long and activate/deactivate something then good luck trying to figure it out. I don't think a few extra buttons for specific functions like track selection would have killed the look. They could have added buttons that looked like the old ffd rwd and stop bottons like the old cassette players and been just fine. I wouldn't buy it again knowing how it operates. It is not intuitive at all. This is just my opinion. That's all I have to say about that.
If you want to dim the display & the radio has a separate wire for display lighting, try different value resistors in series with the lead for illumination. If the unit uses bulbs for illumination you will need higher wattage resistors. Check amperage of lead first.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Lowdollarbuild

Apprentice
Dec 12, 2018
59
25
18
N E Georgia
I bought one of these for my Regal. They look the part but the lighting isn't quite right. It is too bright and too vivid to match up to the antique lights in the dash. Even having the dimmer set to low, it still doesn't quite match up. The input jacks on the front look kinda cheap as well. Not quality wise just placement wise. There are a ton of things all the buttons and knobs do but nothing is labeled and it can get confusing. This wouldn't be that big of a deal if the radio was within reach of the driver without having to lean down so far to make adjustments. I didn't drive my car everyday so I forget what most of the buttons would change between trips in the car. Not that i needed to constantly make changes but if you accidentally hold a button too long and activate/deactivate something then good luck trying to figure it out. I don't think a few extra buttons for specific functions like track selection would have killed the look. They could have added buttons that looked like the old ffd rwd and stop bottons like the old cassette players and been just fine. I wouldn't buy it again knowing how it operates. It is not intuitive at all. This is just my opinion. That's all I have to say about that.
If you want to try dimming your display & have access to a multimeter, I can walk you through this & give you an assortment of resistors. Self addressed enveloped with 2 stamps required.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Status
Not open for further replies.

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor