Period stereo, period chooonze
Discussion
Do you have a period, or period lookalike stereo in your old heap(s)? Do you play period music whilst driving the thing(s) (or awaiting the tow truck)?
A couple of mine came with their original stereos in place. I have been able to obtain period units or replicas for the others, sometimes adapted to receive FM radio or to allow an iPod to be plugged in to them. I have been spending a quid here or there on eBay buying cassettes of stuff that I probably once owned but threw away, or of stuff that I was too young for but is right for the car.
In the 70s, when cars often looked cool, the stereos were often cool also, although, like the cars, they might not work very well. 80s stereos were as dull looking as some of the 80s cars, and had too many buttons, over-complex controls, and manuals bigger than Domesday Book.
P J O'Rourke observed that there are some inventions humankind got right at the first go. These include beer, and radios that you tune by turning a knob.
A couple of mine came with their original stereos in place. I have been able to obtain period units or replicas for the others, sometimes adapted to receive FM radio or to allow an iPod to be plugged in to them. I have been spending a quid here or there on eBay buying cassettes of stuff that I probably once owned but threw away, or of stuff that I was too young for but is right for the car.
In the 70s, when cars often looked cool, the stereos were often cool also, although, like the cars, they might not work very well. 80s stereos were as dull looking as some of the 80s cars, and had too many buttons, over-complex controls, and manuals bigger than Domesday Book.
P J O'Rourke observed that there are some inventions humankind got right at the first go. These include beer, and radios that you tune by turning a knob.
Breadvan72 said:
80s stereos were as dull looking as some of the 80s cars, and had too many buttons, over-complex controls, and manuals bigger than Domesday Book.
In my '88 Quattro I've got the original matt black Blaupunkt Toronto, which fits that description - and my taste - perfectly. It runs on cassettes. I hoard, so I've still got all of my old '80s cassettes to play on it, and when I'm in the car I can create a totally 1988 immersive experience. I'm looking for an authentic 1988 JPS or Peter Stuyvesant fag packet to 'casually' wedge in the ashtray.
I've no radio in the TR6, instead I have a big black clock out of a dive-bomber.
I had this problem with the old French girl. I wanted to keep the period look, didn't fancy an underslung modern radio in addition but desperately wanted to be able to enjoy AC/DC's Back in Black while classic motoring.
I kept the original unit seen here:
And had one of these added behind the dash:
A wire was run behind the dash and into the glove box. It has a simple jack plug on it that goes into your iPod or any other device.
The only down side is that the iPod does not charge while connected. Doing so would have needed more wiring which I didn't have time to do. Still, not too bad and was change from £150 to do.
When the iPod is switched on it is wired inline before the stere so takes precedence. When the iPod is off the radio functions as normal. The unit also has a decent amp in it so the sound quality is excellent.
I kept the original unit seen here:
And had one of these added behind the dash:
A wire was run behind the dash and into the glove box. It has a simple jack plug on it that goes into your iPod or any other device.
The only down side is that the iPod does not charge while connected. Doing so would have needed more wiring which I didn't have time to do. Still, not too bad and was change from £150 to do.
When the iPod is switched on it is wired inline before the stere so takes precedence. When the iPod is off the radio functions as normal. The unit also has a decent amp in it so the sound quality is excellent.
When I had my JPS Europa, I bought a multi-pack of JPS cigs to leave in the glove box (which has no door) as a prop. The individual packs had "Smoking kills you and makes you right smelly, Loserboy!" warnings, whereas real 70s ones would have had "Smoking is way cool and pulls hot chicks, Studmuffin!" plastered all over them. The big multipack was eye catching and had no warnings on it. A pair of Sermoneta gloves completed the set dressing.
I have left posh cigarettes lying around in my Interceptor as well. I add that I am not a smoker, but you have to get the details right.
I have left posh cigarettes lying around in my Interceptor as well. I add that I am not a smoker, but you have to get the details right.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 5th April 10:09
No, I can't stand it. I have tried, and think it a horrid waste of time and money, and a good way to make yourself look old and haggard, have bad teeth, and smell like an ashtray. We all die of something, and my dad is now dying of the fags that he gave up smoking 30 years ago. I don't mind dying, but fag related death is not my preferred exit plan. My fiancee has probably already killed herself through smoking, and she's quite young. At least cars, booze, horses, aeroplanes, and alligator wrestling kill you in an open and honest manner. Smoking is an insidious killer which can get you decades after you have found another hobby.
benjj said:
Have you thought about starting smoking? I did about 20 years ago and I must say it really is a terrific hobby.
I normally smoke Marlboros but when I travel I do like to tuck into the local snouts.
Anyway, give it a try some time, you might like it.
I can't afford petrol and cigarets! I normally smoke Marlboros but when I travel I do like to tuck into the local snouts.
Anyway, give it a try some time, you might like it.
Breadvan72 said:
real 70s ones would have had "Smoking is way cool and pulls hot chicks, Studmuffin!" plastered all over them... you have to get the details right.
Exactly so. Have you tried obtaining a genuine 1980's fag packet though? I've found it impossible.benjj said:
Have you thought about starting smoking? It looks pretty cool...
Yes, and yes it does. We have a Califiornian ex-model intern here in the office who is trying to persuade me to take up the habit so I can be her "smoking buddy". On the basis that I'm in my late 40's, and following Breadvan's warning about it killing you in the long-term, I'm quite tempted to give it a go. It's become much more tempting now that it's more or less illegal. Don't like smoke in my lungs though, so would probably just wave it around for visual effect.
Yertis said:
Breadvan72 said:
real 70s ones would have had "Smoking is way cool and pulls hot chicks, Studmuffin!" plastered all over them... you have to get the details right.
Exactly so. Have you tried obtaining a genuine 1980's fag packet though? I've found it impossible.benjj said:
Have you thought about starting smoking? It looks pretty cool...
Yes, and yes it does. We have a Califiornian ex-model intern here in the office who is trying to persuade me to take up the habit so I can be her "smoking buddy". On the basis that I'm in my late 40's, and following Breadvan's warning about it killing you in the long-term, I'm quite tempted to give it a go. It's become much more tempting now that it's more or less illegal. Don't like smoke in my lungs though, so would probably just wave it around for visual effect.
Yertis said:
Yes, and yes it does. We have a Califiornian ex-model intern here in the office who is trying to persuade me to take up the habit so I can be her "smoking buddy". On the basis that I'm in my late 40's, and following Breadvan's warning about it killing you in the long-term, I'm quite tempted to give it a go. It's become much more tempting now that it's more or less illegal.
Don't like smoke in my lungs though, so would probably just wave it around for visual effect.
Wave what around for visual effect?? Don't like smoke in my lungs though, so would probably just wave it around for visual effect.
Would this be a better idea to keep the Califiornian ex-model intern happy?? We want pics of the Califiornian ex-model intern...not the waiving around activity 
My Californian intern, way back in the day, was not an ex model, but she was one of the hottest, cleverest, pleasantest and most interesting women that I have ever met. We spent a very fine weekend together borrowing her friend's very swanky apartment in New York, but I have no photos, and am too much of a (fake) gent to tell you the details. Nowadays she is married with two children and lives near SF. We had a couple of Martinis at the RAC in London last autumn when she was over here on business. Age has not withered her, and I can still feel her hand on my knee, but I am a good boy these days, and married myself.
Breadvan72 said:
My Californian intern, way back in the day, was not an ex model, but she was one of the hottest, cleverest, pleasantest and most interesting women that I have ever met. We spent a very fine weekend together borrowing her friend's very swanky apartment in New York, but I have no photos, and am too much of a (fake) gent to tell you the details. Nowadays she is married with two children and lives near SF. We had a couple of Martinis at the RAC in London last autumn when she was over here on business. Age has not withered her, and I can still feel her hand on my knee, but I am a good boy these days, and married myself.
As I am not a good boy can I have her number?No, because (a) I am not that good a boy, really; and (b) I would be embarrassed if she knew the sort of sad-ass petrolheads that I hang out with on the internet.
PS: Remind me, please, what are the rules? Do exes not count, or do they count double? I had better not ask my beloved spouse for her views on this.
PS: Remind me, please, what are the rules? Do exes not count, or do they count double? I had better not ask my beloved spouse for her views on this.
Breadvan72 said:
No, because (a) I am not that good a boy, really; and (b) I would be embarrassed if she knew the sort of sad-ass petrolheads that I hang out with on the internet.
PS: Remind me, please, what are the rules? Do exes not count, or do they count double? I had better not ask my beloved spouse for her views on this.
Good question. I believe it works as follows:PS: Remind me, please, what are the rules? Do exes not count, or do they count double? I had better not ask my beloved spouse for her views on this.
Men can have anything up to and including full sex with any woman he has previously had a relationship with that lasted for more than 5 minutes. He does not need to inform any current spouse about this, in fact it is probably best to keep it from such a delicate flower. She'll soon understand when you move onto the next one and start having sex with her again.
Women have to do whatever their current husband tells them to.
I think that just about covers it.
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