I have an 82 with the original radio, AM-FM, 5 pushbuttons.
I would like to upgrade to something that will give me more channel selections and have a seek feature for those out of town trips.
What are my choices?
Should I order from one of the catalogs or shop locally?
Is it difficult to swap the radios?
Give me your personal opinions.

In my '78 I bought a new radio/gauge bezel and had it modified for an Alpine CD/stereo. Absolutely great stereo for the money. Since I had mine done, the big Corvette accessory suppliers now have the bezel already modified with various CD/stereos pre-installed, such as Sanyo, Kenwood, Blaupunkt, etc. If you buy one like that, you can easily install it yourself.

I admit to being partial to Alpine for car stereos, but you won't go wrong with what's available as a pre-made kit. Be careful of the Custom Auto Sound equipment that has custom stuff made for various makes and models...I have no experience with them but have not heard much good about them. A number of members here have said as much.

There are plenty of radio/stereo options out there online. I have an older car with just an AM/FM which is not working at the moment, had it working for about a week. If you are looking to a CD then I think thebezel needs to replaced/modified because of the added width. I would like to find some replacement speakers for my 69, but they are in the lower kick panels are a very weird size. I've never seen 69 replacement speakers on any parts web site. Good luck!

Gunslinger said: I admit to being partial to Alpine for car stereos, but you won't go wrong with what's available as a pre-made kit. Be careful of the Custom Auto Sound equipment that has custom stuff made for various makes and models...I have no experience with them but have not heard much good about them. A number of members here have said as much.

I worked as a stereo installer in college (installed many 3000$ systems in a 500$ car)

I must agree with gunslinger.. alpine is my personal fav for head units. they are relatively expensive but their quality is excellent. For a more reasonably priced alternative.. go sony..

Ive always been partial to punch speakers and amps for mid and high, their 3.5" 2 way tweeters are nothing short of incredible.

and I always liked a fosgate punch amp bridged mono for sub with JL Audio woofers.

Silver69 said: There are plenty of radio/stereo options out there online. I have an older car with just an AM/FM which is not working at the moment, had it working for about a week. If you are looking to a CD then I think thebezel needs to replaced/modified because of the added width. I would like to find some replacement speakers for my 69, but they are in the lower kick panels are a very weird size. I've never seen 69 replacement speakers on any parts web site. Good luck!

I'd like to find new speakers for the '68 as well. Retailers here only have a 4 ohm speaker, if you luck up, let me know!

Hey guys looking for replacement speakers. Contact Tony's corvette in Gaithersburg, MD.(sorry I do not know hes number off the top of my head) He has 10 ohm speakers for my 70 and I think he has 10 ohm speakers for the 68 and 69 vintage kick panel speakers.

Another option is to have your originals reconed but that can be a bit pricey.

If originality is a consideration a company in PA will upgrade your stock radio to current technology while leaving the stock face and push button controls. It can include a built in amplifier and din connectors for external amps, cd controller, subs, etc... I met him at Carlisle. His name is Mike Frenchek of Retro Radio Restoration at 717.361.8929.

Have fun rockin down the road!



Bill

Guys,
Thanks for the advise. I guess I'll select from Mid-America or Corvette America and install myself.
Happy cruising

Just wanted to give my two cents... First off, Alpine is very good, yes, but even better... Eclipse. An Eclipse head unit comes with its own security feature where it disables itself after it is disconnected from the battery, in order to enable it you need a key CD. Very cool! I figured anyone who steals audio systems would know this by now and not waste their time trying to steal yours. I've had my Eclipse head unit in my car for over two years and never had a problem with it, true I had to cut my guage bezel to make it fit, but it was worth it, awesome sound quality too! Don't forget you've gotta top it off with some good speakers, otherwise you won't appreciate your head unit. Just like torque, you can't appreciate it unless you've got the tires to put it down!

Dave, are you possibly interested in selling the radio you're removing? If not, that's cool, but if it is a mono unit, I am interested in purchasing it.

If you want to sell it, please give me a call at work betwen 8:30A and 3:30P, eastern, at 215-631-7020, extension 307.

Paul

While we are having this discution on radios, I have a question for the masses. What kinda speaker set up do yall have? Im thinking about putting some in my 75 and cant decide on whitch way to go with it
Flem