I've got a 65 F85, as I've mentioned in my major build post back in early december.

I am planning on keeping the regular AM radio it has in the dash, but would like to put an AM/FM/AUX/CD player down below the dash in the middle as well as put some speakers in the doors.

I DO NOT however want to be too intrusive to the car. While I am not planning on ever reselling this car, I do want to keep her as original looking as possible, with a mostly hidden modern stereo system.

Does anyone know any brands or model door speakers and/or in-dash MP3/CD/Receivers that won't break the bank, require too much modification to the car, and maintain a decent look?

Really appreciate any help with this as the car will be roadworthy for spring (assuming I don't hit any major snags), which means I will want to hit the road and play some country!

Thanks!

 

I put speakers in my doors, 6" rounds. The grills are going to show no matter what brand. I used 6x9's in the rear package tray, again grills show. As far as head units go I've got an inexpensive Kenwood that has been in there for 5 years and I use a scandisk MP3 player with it.

You can put your unit in the glove box as others have in the past. My Kenwood uses a remote control.

 

Yep, remote control allows you to install/mount just about anywhere. As for brands; I, and my customers, had very good luck with Pioneer, Kenwood, Polk, and Alpine (I own/oped an auto electric shop for ~ 5 yrs). Just keep in mind that, like anything else, you 'get what you pay for' when it comes to car audio (even the top brands sell low budget units that aren't always such a great deal).

 

With the advance of stereo systems lately you can get a contained speaker system that is about the size of a roll of Ritz crackers and it is rechargeable and is bluetooth. you can put it anywhere and use your phone and nothing cut or altered in the car. Pretty amazing what you can do now a days.

 

Why not have your current AM radio updated to FM sterio/ MP3. I had mine done. It looks no differant then it did before but the guts have all been removed and new system installed. I replaced front single speaker with a two speaker combo. It fits perfectly in the original location. I then put a similiar speaker in the back. I have now a four speaker sterio with all the bells and lights and you would never know it by looking at my dash.

 

I ran into this sooo many times as a stereo installer. Customers would bring in their prized vehicle and want a custom sound system but have it look factory stock. There are only four options. Leave it stock. Install a limited and lousy sounding system that looks almost stock. Install a visible system that sounds great. Install a custom interior to hide a fantastic system.

The only place you can install speakers in a factory location is in the single dash opening which came from the factory with a 4X10 speaker. A pair of 3 1/2 or 4 inch speakers can be creatively installed without modifying anything. As mentioned above, the factory radio can be modified with modern components so it fits the unmodified dash. Looks original, sounds like a clock radio.

A pair of 6X9 speakers can be installed in the rear dash but that means the interior is modified. You can replace the factory rear dash cover with a newer one so it can be restored if ever needed. This adds a huge dimension to the stereo sound and audio image. Amplifiers and signal processors can be added to improve the sound quality.

Next level is to install any combination of speakers in the doors, rear side panels, and rear dash panel, and trunk. Amplifiers, DSPs, crossovers, modify the dash to accept a modern DIN head unit. Separate woofer, midrange and tweeter speakers. Upgraded charging system. A full-on custom sound system.

The last level is to do all of the above with a custom interior to hide it.

There are many different combinations of the four different levels but those are the options.

 

Thanks for the help everyone, many have given me some good ideas which I will take advantage of once I get to this stage of the process. I like the glove box idea.
I like the glove box idea, I am not worried about putting visible modern speakers in the doors or rear dash I suppose.
I have no plans on selling the car and I personally do not mind having the modern touch as long as it does not involve cutting into the dash, which the glove box idea takes care of.

Thanks All

 

Here's an idea for speaker placement: In my '69 442 convertible I used custom kickpanels (from Custom Auto Audio, I think was the name of the place) which can support 6.5 inch speakers of nearly any make. You are somewhat limited due to depth restrictions, but many speakers will fit.

Admittedly, the SQ isn't optimal (not a lot of bottom end and the panels will buzz if not reinforced) but the installation is totally non-invasive and best of all, you can replace the original kicks and go back to 100% factory in minutes.

Something to think about.

 

Yep, Custom AutoSound kick panel speakers work great and can be swapped out for the original kick panels very easily.

You can get them for AC and non-AC applications:

http://www.classiccarstereos.com/cat...ck-Panels.html

 

I have not used turnswitch.com, but they make correct form factor and impedance
speakers that sound better. If you just want working, and slightly better than OEM,
maybe try them.