aftermarker Radio

[johnrem46]

I have a 74 Vette with an aftermarket radio with a cassette. I would like to upgrade and put in a CD player.. Can I go to any Circiut city or Best buy for this. What do I need to look for? Is it difficult to replace the radio???

 

[kiwi vet]

Hey johnrem46
No its not a difficult job, but you will have to cut up the console or buy a new console made for the newer units.
Most (if not all!) CD players need a fully open DIN sized hole, where-as older cassette tape units had a central rectangular hole (radiused corners) and a couple of round holes each side (for control knobs), like most C3 vettes came with originally.

Another idea! (which I believe is much better), as CD's are a pain in a car anyway (where to store them without scratching, sports car suspension & CD's dont usually mix that well etc), so why not just buy an iPod, with the optional ariel attachment, tune it into a radio station frequency and your away.

The benefits, no moving parts, a huge selection of music (obviously depends on iPod size) and you can use it your house, work or computer as well.
And finally, you dont have to cut up the dash or alter the originality of the car (if thats important!).

Just my $0.02 worth

 

[lnirenberg]

There are a number of sources for modified bezels. I got mine from www.vettespecialties.com There are also sources for cd head units already installed in a modified bezel but it depends how fanatical you are re.: the upgrade as the head units sold this way are not the best bang for your buck. It is very important that you upgrade the speakers and I would think '74 isn't much changed from my '71. You can fit 4"X6" in the dash and also the kicks. The hardest part is drivers side dash as you have to take that side apart w/ gauges and steering crap to get at the mounting point. You should also investigate whether the unit you have in the car now can run a remote cd changer. Also, running a head unit old or new through an amp makes a big difference and they are pretty flat and can be instaaled in the area behind the seats. What about bass? There are smaller powered subwoofers available although they don't have the kick of a big boxed unit. Mine is a Clarion unit that is less than 3" thick. With the ttops off and speed extra legal I have no problem hearing my tunes, its all a matter of personal desire and allocation of $$$.

 

[Andy]

I ran into this problem when I changed the radio in my '76. Check the major aftermarket guys. They do have radios/cd players that look just like the originals and fit into the ORIGINAL bezel area in your dash. Mine initially had an aftermarket, the bezel was cutup, so instead of just putting in a new radio, first I had to put in the bezel, then the radio fell in..A simple job turned out to be less than quick......

Hey johnrem46
No its not a difficult job, but you will have to cut up the console or buy a new console made for the newer units.
Most (if not all!) CD players need a fully open DIN sized hole, where-as older cassette tape units had a central rectangular hole (radiused corners) and a couple of round holes each side (for control knobs), like most C3 vettes came with originally.

Another idea! (which I believe is much better), as CD's are a pain in a car anyway (where to store them without scratching, sports car suspension & CD's dont usually mix that well etc), so why not just buy an iPod, with the optional ariel attachment, tune it into a radio station frequency and your away.

The benefits, no moving parts, a huge selection of music (obviously depends on iPod size) and you can use it your house, work or computer as well.
And finally, you dont have to cut up the dash or alter the originality of the car (if thats important!).

Just my $0.02 worth

 

[goertz]

seems rediculous to me to spend $500.00 on one of those radios that fit in the stock opening, so that you can spare cutting up a $150.00 part. Corvette Specialties, is actually Rocky Mountain Corvette, and they have the mounting kit for $60.00. I've used them, and it really looks like a stock part of the car. well worth the $$$. you can spend $60.00 on the adapter, and go to Best Buy and get a decent Pioneer head unit for $100.00, and some speakers for $40.00, and be done for $200.00. Now if you want the killer sound, then yes, you'll need amps and speakers just like was posted earlier.