Aftermarket Stereos affect resale of C3 vetts

[LEEJANDZ]

Do whatever makes you happy!!!
Did you buy the car to enjoy it, or to resell it?
Exactly!!!

Do whatever makes you happy!!!

 

[rickfell]

I've been wanting to put in an alpine in dash CD (cut the console). I'll be keeping my 82 for another 20 years so I might as well enjoy it. I'm not sure if I should trust the local Audio Dealer to do a good job and not screw the console up, or take the time and do it myself.

 

[jackofalltrades]

I opted to cut a new square hole and mount something modern. The amp is behind the drivers seat and there's a speaker box and sub in the back. Still room for the T-tops when off.

 

[sac001]

My 80 was already cut out with a broken old Sony pull out, so the decision to upgrade was easy. The tough decision was whether or not to let the Circuit City boys do it.

Well, I let them, and IMHO they did a great job!

Steve

 

[Corvette-Pilot]

Do what makes YOU happy.
If you think you might sell it later then just save the original equipment and either reinstall it or at least have it in a box to give the new owner.

 

[Piet]

I bought my '73 Camaro and it already had an aftermarket stereo in it... I love being able to have great sound... glad I didn't have to make the choice because I love the look of the retro dash...

I now need to make the choice on gauges....

 

[Crickett]

I've gotta have my music when I'm drivin so I've put in a bumpin system. :cool

 

[RodsnRides]

Speakers?

I am planning on installing either the Blaupunkt or Kenwood 'system' that comes with a replacement dash center section, as sold by Mid-America and others. around $450. Check this...http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.5337

My question is-for a '72 coupe-what is the size of the 1) dash and 2) kick panel speakers? Are they both the same? Are they both 4"X6"? I thought I would start with those, and maybe add something in the rear compartment later. That will at least get me some decent tunes over the weak factory setup.

Can someone please advise on the speaker sizes? Thank you.

Rick

 

[kingman]

I still like the orig radio

As far as the radio is concerned l rarely listen to it for more then 5 minutes. Some people play their radio so loud only because they have already hurt their sense of hearing and will only get worse with time.

Some people think that loud music is neat and that it keeps the evil spirits away.

We live in a strange world.

Alan

 

[lnirenberg]

[

QUOTE=RodsnRides]I am planning on installing either the Blaupunkt or Kenwood 'system' that comes with a replacement dash center section, as sold by Mid-America and others. around $450. Check this...http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.5337

My question is-for a '72 coupe-what is the size of the 1) dash and 2) kick panel speakers? Are they both the same? Are they both 4"X6"? I thought I would start with those, and maybe add something in the rear compartment later. That will at least get me some decent tunes over the weak factory setup.

Can someone please advise on the speaker sizes? Thank you.

Rick

I disagree most respectfully Kingman as I need tunes when I am cruising. My car had a stock look alike update which if it was better than the OEM radio I can't even imagined what a POS that must have been. I bought a replacement bezel from Vette Specialties that is pre-cut with a nice plate to fit modern units and it makes for a very presentable installation--not cobbled together looking in the least. I stored the original bezel with all the other parts that I have replaced just in case someone who buys the car off my kids when I am no longer above ground gives a s***.

The dash speakers are 4X6 (as were the OEMs) and the driver's side is a ***** to put in as you have to drop everything to get at it. I think the kicks originally came with speakers but my car had crappy replacement 4X6s. The 4X6s are the biggest that will fit without major surgery. The magnets on the speakers I replaced were covered in rust flakes from the metal cavity behind the kicks so I'm not even sure how they worked at all. I replaced all 4 with 4X6 Infinitys but make sure you clean the kick area thoroughly vacuum etc and treat with rust inhibiting paint otherwise you will be wasting your money. The only problem is 4X6 speakers don't put out any base to speak of and I did't want to fill up what little storage space I have with giant woofer boxes. I did put an amp in the back which doesn't take up a whole lot of space and with the modern wonders of the net search engine I found an Infinity woofer that was low profile. The friend who got me the equipment told this particular woofer isn't up to woofer box standards but will be better than I have. I can't yet comment on this as I won't get the woofer installed until I take the car out of winter hibernation--3 degrees this morning so its not looking good. I have my fingers crossed for a cloudy grounhog day. He also checked out the pre-packaged units/bezels that are available from various sources and didn't feel they were a good value and that you could do a lot better for the money buying a good CD/radio unit. Unless your an absolute gadget freak who needs the latest and greatest, good units are not that expensive. You will, however, need a good amp as you will be competing with the decibels put out by the beautiful music exiting the tailpipes.

 

[RodsnRides]

Thanks

Allrighty then-4" X 6" in the dash and kick panels. Good to know, and thank you. I am interested in your take on the Infinity woofer.

I have been looking at the Polk Audio 4X6's, currently on sale at Crutchfield ($39/pair). I do have their 6X9's in my daily driver and they sound great. I realize the 4X6 is a compromise. I just want some road tunes, nothing exotic, just some noise to keep me occupied on long lonely stretches-like Wyoming, Kansas, eastern Colorado, etc. What is it your friend doesn't like about the systems I sent the link to? I have been leaning towards the Blaupunkt.

Have a great day. Cheers,

Rick

 

[hzl6cm]

The exhaust on my '70 350 / 350hp 4-speed equiped convertible sounds so good I have never bothered fixing the stereo. I really like listening to music while I drive but the exhaust in that car sounds so sweet I don't need the tunes.


Kevin

 

[lnirenberg]

hzl6cm-The pipe music is great on short drives especially on the twistys but after a bit of relatively steady highway pace it starts to sound a bit too monotone, so I require other noise--nothing like good Red Sox talk.

RodsnRides--as to the Blaupunkt and other pre-packaged sound, as best I understand, which is little to none, it has to do with the quality of the parts used in the units. In real life I have no clue, I just trust my bud as he makes no money off me--you should see the setup he has in his Hummer H2 which he uses for mobile audio/video shows: 10 screens, 2 DVD systems, playstation 2, satellite TV and a stereo that can send you to the next state. In any case, he got me a Clarion single disk CD player and, as I record my own disks, its CDRW and MP3 compatible (which I guess means that my disks wouldn't play on non-compatible systems). Its also worth buying the best speakers you can (refer to the difficulty of installing the driver side dash speaker in previous reply) as you only want to do this once. In most cases with speakers you get what you pay for and $39 per pair is not encouraging in my mind. If your going to do the install yourself your propably better off going to Best Buy and find a car audio freak employee to help you as they are not on commission and if knowlegable will give you the striaght. I also gave you a bum steer on the woofer as I don't actually have it in hand. Its a Clarion powered enclosed sub-woofer 13"X2-7/8"X9-1/16", the smallest thinnest I could find--model #CLASRV303. Good luck--I'll post some pics when I awaken the beast--it'll be at least a few months.

 

[Derrick]

personally, I like the look of the orginal radio, however mine doesn't work. I thought about sending it off to be rebuilt with elctronic parts but the cost was too expensive. So I'm stuck with my delimma.
Gary

Ecklers has several factory look radios made by kenwood and some other brands. I don't think you have to do any cutting on the dash to get these to work.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=47751&dept%5Fid=1026&mscssid=UCK3TKCU8F6V9GD9WGFT5HA05F9G0UH9


I'm personally going to install a Kenwood EZ500. It has somewhat of a retro styling with 2 big aluminum knobs, but still plays cds, cdrs, and mp3s.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-VO6OkmEmh12/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=113EZ500&search=kenwood+ez500

 

[RodsnRides]

Thank you

Appreciate the input Inirenberg. I agree about the speakers-you are right, spend the money, do it once and do it right. Over the weekend I did some research and decided I like the power capability, frequency response and the sensitivity (db/w) of the Infinity Kappas. They are also on sale from (I think) $149/pr. to $119/pr. But-this still puts me near $700! Ouch. I need to research a little more, and I do like the idea of-perhaps-running iTunes, iPod or whatever some of the new megabit handheld units are.

Since all this is coming via my Income Tax refund, I have some time to do the research. Maybe I can find some guru that will give me more specifics to my application and desires that I seek. I will post here. Your friends Hummer certainly sounds, um, entertaining.;squint:

I shudder to think the cost of all those toys. Perhaps a worn C3 or C4 would have been more my direction. To each his own, I suppose. Nothing against his choices, I guess I'm saying they would not be a priority for me. Thanks again. Best,

Rick

 

[lnirenberg]

Appreciate the input Inirenberg. I agree about the speakers-you are right, spend the money, do it once and do it right. Over the weekend I did some research and decided I like the power capability, frequency response and the sensitivity (db/w) of the Infinity Kappas. They are also on sale from (I think) $149/pr. to $119/pr. But-this still puts me near $700! Ouch. I need to research a little more, and I do like the idea of-perhaps-running iTunes, iPod or whatever some of the new megabit handheld units are.

Since all this is coming via my Income Tax refund, I have some time to do the research. Maybe I can find some guru that will give me more specifics to my application and desires that I seek. I will post here. Your friends Hummer certainly sounds, um, entertaining.;squint:

I shudder to think the cost of all those toys. Perhaps a worn C3 or C4 would have been more my direction. To each his own, I suppose. Nothing against his choices, I guess I'm saying they would not be a priority for me. Thanks again. Best,

Rick

I agree re.: Hummer, not my thing either. He does all the audio visual install for the local dealer so they gave him a great deal and he uses his install to promote his company at shows. They actually have audio meets where people compete for the smokinest install.--I think clarity and decibels? He's up against mostly rice rockets, a lot of who's systems he's installed. They're puttin' maybe $5-10,000 into their systems. They fill the trunks with subwoofers and amps. On another planet from getting some decent tunes in an old 'vette--I just don't get it.

I went on Best Buys web site and they have MP3 compatible CD/recievers for $150 and 4X6 pioneers for $49 pr. Amps are a different story because I think you need to use a 4 channel amp if you want to drive 4 speakers (underline I think). They run a few $$$.

 

[JJS]

The exhaust on my '70 350 / 350hp 4-speed equiped convertible sounds so good I have never bothered fixing the stereo. I really like listening to music while I drive but the exhaust in that car sounds so sweet I don't need the tunes.


Kevin

I feel exactly the same way about my LT-1. My radio works, but I hardly ever turn it on! The car sounds so sweet, I don't need tunes. Now in my daily driver, I think I'd go nuts without a stereo!

-John

 

[bari]

personally, I like the look of the orginal radio, however mine doesn't work. I thought about sending it off to be rebuilt with elctronic parts but the cost was too expensive. So I'm stuck with my delimma.
Gary

I just replaced my stock AM/FM Stereo from my 75. Let me know if you're interested. Send me an email at bari_landas@hotmail.com...

 

[waterboy1976]

Stereo.............who need music????? My music is my 350....425 hp coming through Flowmaster 40s......now that music.............

 

[1980corvettegibson]

About 4 years ago, I put in an after market Pioneer CD player and Rockford Amp, Rockford 10" subs and 2 6X9s and i loved them. I tried to keep the car original, but the speakers that came with it and the radio just wasnt good. Acually the back speakers werent even in the car, they were just laying back there. SO i think putting it in there made it worth alittle more. I kept the radio and nobs though. I think they just lately came out with replacement dashes that have CD player holes in them..i would have probly got one back then. My speakers and amp got stolen, so the only thing i had left was the CD player and front dash speakers, but a couple of months ago i put back in a rockford 900 watt amp and 2 rockford 12" subs in a ported box. The guy placed the speakers forward, and they look and sound great. I thought about turnin them around though and see if they were louder, but i cant seem to get myself to do that, cause of how kewl they look when you look into the car. I also put on a new mahogony steering wheel, cause the original was worn out, and i didnt have enough to pay to have it restored. well i have to agree, that it depends on who is buying the car. I for one am going to try and keep my car for along time cause it was my first car.