What Is A Stereo Conversion?
Essentially, your original car radio is converted to AM/FM stereo, using modern technology!
Your original radio is disassembled and cleaned. The tuning mechanism, original controls, cover, and trim are detailed and retained. Other components are removed.
The radio is reassembled with a modern PCB containing an AM/FM stereo. The PCB is calibrated to match the original tuning coils, controls, and indicators. All functions are tested and verified under lab conditions.
When reinstalled in the car, the radio looks totally original. But turn it on and it sounds incredible!
Best of all, the radio operates just as it did before with a few enhancements -- AM/FM switching is performed by turning the radio off momentarily. The tone control also adjusts balance and fader. (These features may vary depending on model.)
Testimonials:
"I received my 1965 Pontiac GTO radio back after your conversion . . . and installed it according to the instructions you sent along with it. It works FANTASTIC! I can pick up FM stations that I couldn't get in my everyday vehicle or home stereo unit. Thanks for enabling me to have a "new" original equipment radio!" -- Randy, Kentucky
"The shop who installed my stereo [62 Imperial] was extremely impressed with the workmanship; they said this was the most professional conversion they have ever seen. How did you clean it up so well? It works great, and sounds wonderful!" -- Tony, Michigan
"Just wanted to let you know you did a GREAT job on my [55 Thunderbird] radio. Looks great sounds great. Cleaned up the dial lens better than I expected. I will highly recommend you to my fellow restorers." -- Ernie, North Carolina
"I just hooked up my AM radio you converted . . . for my 1972 American Motors Javelin AMX. I wanted to let you know it works great!!! This is the second one I have had done by you, you did my 1968 AMX AM radio about 2 years ago." -- Jim, Georgia
" I received the radio and had it installed in my 73 RoadRunner and it works better than a new one could ever have worked. The installation was handled by a local company . . . They were so impressed by the radio, they asked for your name and location . . . " Don, Michigan
"The [1960 Imperial] radio sounds absolutely great! Crystal clear sound, very powerful and very good reception even with a short antenna mast on the car.
I am very happy with it, the conversion was worth every dollar in my opinion!" -- Rob, The Netherlands
We try to keep pricing as simple as possible; however there are variations based on various aspects of the vehicles and radios. The prices below should be self-explanatory; however if you have a question, feel free to contact us.
Most manual or pushbutton radios: $369
If your 1946-or later American car has 12 volts, negative ground (even if originally 6 volts) and it has a typical rectangular radio with two knobs and five mechanical pushbuttons, this is your price. This is also true of manual radios, radios with round dials such as 55 Fords and Ford trucks, radios with unusual knob arrangements or thumbwheels as with Cadillacs or Mopars, radios with separate power units, AM/FM radios, and even early stereos. We also accept American radios from import cars, such as Volkswagen "Sapphire", Volvo, and certain other imports.
Unfortunately, as with many aspects of life, not all radios are the same, and there are variations which require the cost to go higher, and in some cases take longer as well. These variations are spelled out below:
Radios housed in a big box with a built-in speaker, such as late 40's-early 50's Cadillacs and Buicks: $400 (does not include speaker)
Radios with solenoid-driven, springwound, electronic, or other goofy tuning mechanisms, such as 46-48 Fords, single-button Willys, and Mopars with electronic pushbuttons: $400.
Radios with tape players (includes general cleaning/alignment and new belts, but not parts or service): $419.
Signal seeker radios (Wonderbar, Town & Country, etc.): $419 for most radios. Yes, there are still a few variations. Lincoln/Mercury radios made 1957 and before require a special motor; GM and Packard vibrator-type radios 1958 and before require special power supplies, so these radios are $469. Hybrid versions are $419.
Nash & Rambler units with vernier dial tuning (dial markings on the knobs) are not being accepted at present, as the vernier mechanisms have proven unreliable.
Pre World War II: CALL. Most postwar car radios use "permeability tuning" which you can identify with round slugs moving in and out of coils in the tuner. In contrast, most prewar radios use capacitance tuning, with which you'll see an array of metal wafers moving together or apart as you adjust the tuning. The capacitance tuning requires extra cost. Also, some of the fancier radios, such as in Packards, have motor-driven tuners controlled by buttons on the separate dash unit. Radios such as these can be converted, but the price can be very high.
All radios are designed for 12 volt, negative ground operation. If your car is 6 volts, or 12 volts positive ground (55 Packard, Nash Metropolitan), a voltage booster/inverter is required. Add $100 to the above prices.
LED dial indicator: For conversions of AM-only radios, an indicator is available that lights up red for AM, green for FM, and yellow for FM stereo. On certain radios, such as Cadillacs with the pinhole pilot lamp, this indicator is installed in place of the pilot. However with the vast majority of radios, it involves cutting holes in the dial and the radio no longer looks original with this LED installed. For this reason it is not normally installed; in fact on some radios it cannot be installed at all. However if you have your heart set on having an LED indicator, please let us know -- if we can, we'll put it on.
CD Changers, XM Radio, MP3 Players: All conversions include audio connections for adding an iPod, satellite receiver, or other audio devices. We presently do not offer these devices for sale; however in the future things may change.
Got speakers? Check out our speaker options!
For additional questions or information, please call 941-371-8924 or e-mail at caradio@verizon.net.