Gene:
There is an interesting alternative, which I am considering should
the vintage radio prove to be too wimpy.
http://www.soundmove.com/customautosound.htm
These guys deliver a modern radio, with a vintage faceplate
customized to your brand, for under $200. You can get the extra inputs,
decent power, etc and the vintage look. This seems about as unoriginal
as using urethane bushings, which is to say it is a mod that no one will
ever notice in all probability.
This seems a much better deal than getting the modern guts added to
a vintage radio for $400 which is my third choice. I have a dead Bendix
AM/FM radio with the Leyland logo on it that I am keeping should I go
the "heart-lung transplant" route.
If I can't hear the radio at 30 MPH, then the custom auto sound
seems like a good alternative....
Cheers,
Vance
P.S. Speaking of Urethane bushings, I did a 180 on those. I was an
advocate of rubber, but after I rebuilt my rear suspension to eliminate
sag, it was beginning to sag after just one year. I decided that I
should lighten up on the "anything unoriginal is EVIL" mantra, and
judiciously apply some modern technology. The next step is to vote for
Hilary for President, but that may take a bit longer... =:-o
________________________________
From: gene.x.hart@jpmchase.com [mailto:gene.x.hart@jpmchase.com]
Sent: March 02, 2006 7:51 AM
To: Navarrette, Vance
Subject: Re: Vintage radios and other interesting
Vance,
I'm an originality freak too. I also thought the original restored
Bendex AM/FM would be fine (hey I listen to sports radio anyway) but
soon found out that any speed over 30 MPH drowns out the sound, and
there is zero fidelity and no matter what speaker I hooked up in the
kidney pad area the volume was useless. So I'm going the modern hidden
radio route. There is plenty of room under the seats to put boxed
speakers, I'll replace the kidney pad speakers with something better,
and hide the receiver behind the glove box. Then use the remote control
to change channels.
Some things are just too obvious not to change, like modern tires, (Just
removed the redlines to try modern tires), Pertronix ignition (nobody
ever said hey where are the points!) modern two part paint ( I know it's
too glossy) and urethane bushings. Other stuff is debatable, The rear
anti-sway bar is overkill or a great "option" , I also think HD lever
shocks are OK, and tube shocks overkill. But I did put period correct
SPAX in the front.
But it is cool to discuss the options..One guy at a show said to me
quote "I'm glad you restored the original Strombergs, too many people
just strap on triple Webber's" That turned out to be an interesting
discussion, triple Strombergs came up, Down draft (Gees I hate them) was
discussed, and the assorted sized SU's.
BTW- I finished my restoration last year, My first 4 shows I got 1st. in
class 3 out of 4, In one show 2'nd (People choice). So originality and
attention to detail does win shows. (IMHO).
And no I won't put a hemi in it, it'st not original.
Gene Hart
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