ICE in a classic car
Discussion
Hi all, I'm hoping there is someone here who can give me some insight.
I've bought a 1950 Bentley and I'm trying to work out what to do about the "wireless". It comes with the very latest LW mono wireless set with 4 preset buttons. It is of course valve powered and the car is of course positive earth.
The radio is incorporated into a walnut faced panel, so all you see through the wood is the on/off/volume knob, the preset buttons, tuning knob and frequency tell tale screen.
My thoughts are to find a way to gut the existing unit (not DIN sized, think mini fridge) and fit something Bluetooth controlled with radio and USB, leaving the existing fascia in place and find somewhere hidden to put stereo speakers (possibly the seat bases) Positive earth might be a pain .
Has anyone any experience of doing something like this?
TIA
Editted to add: I'm no audiophile, I just want to be able to get FM or DAB radio and play USB or streaming. I don't want to change the fascia if at all possible.
I've bought a 1950 Bentley and I'm trying to work out what to do about the "wireless". It comes with the very latest LW mono wireless set with 4 preset buttons. It is of course valve powered and the car is of course positive earth.
The radio is incorporated into a walnut faced panel, so all you see through the wood is the on/off/volume knob, the preset buttons, tuning knob and frequency tell tale screen.
My thoughts are to find a way to gut the existing unit (not DIN sized, think mini fridge) and fit something Bluetooth controlled with radio and USB, leaving the existing fascia in place and find somewhere hidden to put stereo speakers (possibly the seat bases) Positive earth might be a pain .
Has anyone any experience of doing something like this?
TIA
Editted to add: I'm no audiophile, I just want to be able to get FM or DAB radio and play USB or streaming. I don't want to change the fascia if at all possible.
Edited by Konrod on Saturday 7th December 17:31
Have a look at Radio Rescue: https://www.radiorescue.co.uk/fm-and-dab-upgrades/
or Agenta: https://agentaaudio.com/upgrade-your-classic-car-r...
or Agenta: https://agentaaudio.com/upgrade-your-classic-car-r...
I have been there and done it. Forget it.
Buy a wireless USB chargeable bluetooth speaker, connect it to your phone and place it under the seat.
Job done.
They can have up to 20 hours battery life these days and kick out huge volumes.
You can move it to any other cars you own too!
These ones are good.
https://www.marshall.com/gb/en/product/kilburn-ii?...
Buy a wireless USB chargeable bluetooth speaker, connect it to your phone and place it under the seat.
Job done.
They can have up to 20 hours battery life these days and kick out huge volumes.
You can move it to any other cars you own too!
These ones are good.
https://www.marshall.com/gb/en/product/kilburn-ii?...
Riley Blue said:
Have a look at Radio Rescue: https://www.radiorescue.co.uk/fm-and-dab-upgrades/
or Agenta: https://agentaaudio.com/upgrade-your-classic-car-r...
Thanks RB - I'd seen radio rescue, but not agenta audio. Worth a call.or Agenta: https://agentaaudio.com/upgrade-your-classic-car-r...
politeperson said:
I have been there and done it. Forget it.
Buy a wireless USB chargeable bluetooth speaker, connect it to your phone and place it under the seat.
Job done.
They can have up to 20 hours battery life these days and kick out huge volumes.
You can move it to any other cars you own too!
These ones are good.
https://www.marshall.com/gb/en/product/kilburn-ii?...
Thanks for the response Politeperson - sounds like you have some scars. Could you elaborate a little - what were the problems that its seems you couldn't get over. If I speak the companies above it would be good to know what questions to ask.Buy a wireless USB chargeable bluetooth speaker, connect it to your phone and place it under the seat.
Job done.
They can have up to 20 hours battery life these days and kick out huge volumes.
You can move it to any other cars you own too!
These ones are good.
https://www.marshall.com/gb/en/product/kilburn-ii?...
Not really scars, its just technology has moved on so much with the Bluetooth speakers.
If you change a nice period looking radio in an old car the replacement will always date.
I have had old cases re engineered to contain blue tooth amplifiers in a couple of E types.
The sound was nothing like as good as a single Marshall speaker.
You also has issues with speaker selection and placement.
Then you had to do the wiring.
Then it can be knicked when you leave the car parked!
Seems so much easier to hide a Bluetooth speaker to me!
I use mine in an XK120, Citroen SM and a few ithers. I like leaving them original.
If you change a nice period looking radio in an old car the replacement will always date.
I have had old cases re engineered to contain blue tooth amplifiers in a couple of E types.
The sound was nothing like as good as a single Marshall speaker.
You also has issues with speaker selection and placement.
Then you had to do the wiring.
Then it can be knicked when you leave the car parked!
Seems so much easier to hide a Bluetooth speaker to me!
I use mine in an XK120, Citroen SM and a few ithers. I like leaving them original.
The positive earth wont be an issue, your wiring loom for the stereo will be so basic that its incompatible anyway.
A decent mechanic will take around a day to strip out the interior and dash bits, locate the +ve power and fit a relay for switched +ve power. Run a fused -ve line from the battery and then run 4 speaker wires. Under the dash is popular as is the parcel shelf behind the headrests (velcro for a classic so it can be removed) every car is different regarding placement but anyone with half a brain will figure out good placement.
There are classic looking stereos available on ebay etc. But they're pretty poor, maybe just buy a plain used one from the 90s that isnt covered in flashing leds.
A joiner (or yourself) will make up a dash panel to replace the original, or an add in piece to fill around the gaps left.
A decent mechanic will take around a day to strip out the interior and dash bits, locate the +ve power and fit a relay for switched +ve power. Run a fused -ve line from the battery and then run 4 speaker wires. Under the dash is popular as is the parcel shelf behind the headrests (velcro for a classic so it can be removed) every car is different regarding placement but anyone with half a brain will figure out good placement.
There are classic looking stereos available on ebay etc. But they're pretty poor, maybe just buy a plain used one from the 90s that isnt covered in flashing leds.
A joiner (or yourself) will make up a dash panel to replace the original, or an add in piece to fill around the gaps left.
I had an original Motorola radio converted by this chap, https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=classic%20ca...
Very quick turnround and a doddle to set up.
SD.
Very quick turnround and a doddle to set up.
SD.
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