Anybody have recommendations for radio repair/resto? Preferably near the East coast. Im looking to have my radio gone through to make sure its working the way it should and maybe fix if needed?

 

I used Retro Radio 717-367-1428 Mike was a pleasure to work with. I have a 2 piece am/ fm stereo in my Rallye 350

 

scrappie,
I had my radio & 8 Track done by Instrument Specialties in North Kingston, RI., their work is impeccable. Ask for Tim.

https://www.instrument-specialties.com/

 

Thanks guys

 

There was a member here advertising he rebuilds radios etc maybe 10 months back? Not sure who it was.

 

X2. I had them do the original AM/FM for my 67 Delta. They do both restorations and internal upgrades to modern components if you prefer. I chose the latter. Externally the unit looks brand new.

 

Retro radio: very nice lady I spoke to today. Back log of work 6 mos minimum.

 

Par for the course these days. There’s a general lack of initiative and desire to work or learn a trade to earn a living. If the vendor is reputable, you’ll likely be money ahead to vest the time. If you think that timeline is painful, try ordering from SMS! It’s very difficult to find instant gratification in the proper restoration of vehicles.

 

I may try them for stock restoring. Like clean, fix, cosmetic restore, and electronic replacement at the component level, like capacitors. I know car radios sound bleh compared to home stereo, but I extend the same sort of mentality to repair of them.

 

Or you could go the repro route with a completely new stereo unit from Antique Automobile Radio

• Small size, BIG features, rare option!
  
• Looks original but offers
  today's technology!
  
• Quality chrome-plated
  faceplate and ***** exactly match original radio!
  
• AM/FM 'Roll-over' dial scale looks and works like original!
  

Click to see larger picture

• AM or FM band selected with slide-bar like original!
  
• Maximum power = 180 watts RMS (45 watts x 4 speakers 4Ω, 14.4V, 1kHz)
  
• Do not use original speakers
  
• Uses original antenna
  
• Analog controls look and feel like the original radio!
  
• All controls easily accessible. Volume, bass, treble, balance, fader and tuning from original looking controls!
  
• 7/16" shafts for mounting exactly match original radio
  
• LED dial lights will never need replacing!
  
• Digitally tuned AM/FM Stereo front end provides stable, high quality reception!
  
• You deserve the best - don't settle for less!
  
• 3 RCA jacks for left channel, right channel and sub-woofer line outs
  
• 3.5 mm phone jack for input from iPod, MP3 player, or Bluetooth
  
• Switch selectable for 1,2,3 or 4 speakers
  
• Switch selectable for North America or Europe mode
  
• Includes a 6 foot 3.5mm male-to-male auxiliary cable with every radio
  
• Bluetooth 3.0 EDR compliant
  
• Built in microphone for HFP (hands-free profile)
  
• HSP, A2DP, AVRCP profiles supported
  
• Programmable audio equalizer
  
• Place/answer calls or stream your favorite programs while maintaining original appearance!
  

 

That seems like a better option given a 6 month turn around time for restoring the radio. There are other manufacturers that provide vintage style radios with modern workings. Here's one option:

https://www.retromanufacturing.com/

 

 

Very true

I have the RetroSound Long Beach model in my '72 ragtop - added an Alpine KT445U amp installed in the glove box and it's awesome!

 

I have found that you really one get one any more.

 

Yeah, and it ain't "Good"

 

I’ve seen these and they are real nice. They really look like the original. I already have new replacement OEM speakers and just looking to restore not upgrade in this case otherwise I would consider.

 

Paul, I guess the place I recommended in CT can't do this for you. I would avoid the place in RI, they are mostly middle men and do very little there besides vacu-plating. They send everything out to be done which adds to the cost, and time to do the job. They do turn out very nice restored products, they just don't do most of them in house. There's a guy in NY, I think it's Frank Checci (sp?) that does restos on Olds gauges, radios, clocks, etc. I don't know if he does radio repairs in house, but it's clear he knows where to send them. Maybe somebody here knows him? I think you should bench test it and see what it does.

 

Frank does radios. He did my radio and stereo unit for my 69. Very happy with the work.

 

 

Thx Andy, I'll give him a call and see what happens

 

Call my guy at S & M Electro-tech in Minnesota and tell him Jimmy with the blue Olds sent you. Thought I had that detail in my resto thread...

 

S&M had done mine years ago with an aux input, still in the box unused. I inquired about doing a Bluetooth upgrade but understood that it would be like starting from scratch financially. Wish that I’d waited..

 

The owner passed away in October of 2021. The business was "in transition" a few months ago. The "speaker" part of the business is expected to survive, but not the "conversion". I have found another guy locally that is doing the conversions. Backlogs are 2-3 months when I inquired. .

 

That sucks! Thanks for sharing. I guess we’re going to see a lot of that as that generation gets up there in age.

 

Unless you are looking to maintain the period integrity of your car (i.e. numbers matching originality or some other level of conformity thereto) you may find it will ultimately be cheaper, faster and more rewarding to go with a new drop-in stereo unit. They are much lighter and physically smaller in chassis size, which opens up a TON of room behind your dash, are of better sound, feature and accessorizing qualities.

The AAR unit in particular is a retro-styled Olds unit, I had one for awhile in my ragtop - looked great but I prefer the sound quality of my current Retrosound unit. My Retrosound has Sirius/XM and is boosted by a small Alpine amp - it powers 4 speakers (2 in the kick panels and 2 more in the rear convertible piston upper covers) - awesome especially cranked with the top down.

The radio unit itself was only about $350 - much cheaper than an original-unit conversion and it didn't require any dash modifications to install.

 

Got any pics of how the rear speakers are mounted?

 

Are you perhaps referring to Turnswitch ?

 

I have some of their speakers in my Chevy. I would call them "acceptable."

 

Yes, Turn-switch. I had talked to him a couple weeks before he had a fatal heart attack.

 

Do you have a phone number for Frank I would like to call him about fixing my 1968 wonder bar radio. Thanks

 

Check out post #19. Give Jim Shepard a call. I can highly recommend him.

 

Me too! Jim does excellent work and extremely knowledgeable. He repaired my 70 Olds AM/FM radio and added Bluetooth as well as my 8 track player. He sends videos of his diagnostics and repairs. Very quick turnaround time and reasonable prices. Had him repair my 69 Buck Skylark AM/FM mono radio, add a fader for two speaker operation and Bluetooth.