Proper replica radio

I am interested in what kind of radio would look most appropriate for the car. Did the Roadster/ Speedster come with a radio option, and if so, where was it located? Is there a transistor radio available that looks similar to a tube radio which it must have originally come with? What is the location of the speaker on a correct replica? I was shocked to see that some old car radios weighed in at about 10 pounds.....

Garth,

Yes, pre-transistor radio's were heavy little critters, Actually most were all AM or AM, shortwave in the case of German made radio's. They had a really nice mellow sound to them when the bass was maxed out. Because they were AM the event of an electrical storm even miles away was a good advance warning system as they really snap, crackled and popped. I think some of the radio companies are making vintage looking car radios with modern innards. You might try John Steele at JPS or Kirk at VS, I'm sure they know.

Bruce

I made the pannel, and the VW knobs fit perfect.

I got My radio at Soundmoves, AM FM cassette ,a modern solid state unit . I could have got a AM FM CD. but this is just fine.I got loads of cassettes.

When you order Ask what ohm ratings are avalible see if they can do a 2 ohm system. I had mine converted elsewhere (expencive). just so I could run 94 Corvette Delco/Bose Internal Amp speakers (yelp 4 amps).I love the clarity and base on this set up. its like a theater.

I did the same on my SS El camino and liked it from the word go.

There was no factory installed radio option for Speedsters. People either cut holes in the dash or mounted the radio under the dash. Blaupunkt and Becker radios of that era were usually simple AM/FM (no stereo).

IM offers an under-dash "radio pod" mount.

Here is a picture of the IM installation. You can see the A/C outlets, which were also not standard.

Origial or not, I based mine cars interior on a picture in the Laurence Meredith Origial Porsche 356 book on page 93 a red D with a black dash pad and oatmeal carpets it had the ivory steering wheel and knobs. If I had my scanner hooked up I'd forward you a pic .

I went differet on the colors, but it's close

Beautiful car Brian
awesome
im drooling
thats what i want mine to eventually look like

Brian, what did you do for an antenna ?

The antenna is "under the dash", according to Henry. Reception is great on stations about 30 miles away, but I haven't been anywhere to really test sensitivity, selectivity etc. I am surprised that reception is as good as it is, but I assume that it is because the car is mostly fiberglass. I normally play 1950's Rock and Roll CD's (appropriate for a 1958 replica), so radio is not a big deal for me.

I hid mine under the dash and use a remote to change channels and raise and lower the volume. Power antenna on the right front fender..Works great and you don't have to ruin the great lines of the dash.

For that matter you can get the windshield type antennia kit and apply it inside the hood, works great.

I guess I "ruined" the original appearance of my dash because A/C was an absolute must for me. Since the added dash section was going to be there, it made sense to opt for a radio in the location shown.

I once saw an add for vintage appearance radios that were actually modern inside and had a remote cd unit.....now I can't find it and it is driving me crazy....anyone else seen this type of unit?

Customautosound.com has some neat stuff.
BD

I wanted AC also ,But I want it hidden.
I,ve seen some interesting work done a Time Machine Customs. but it,s way to soon to say, if they are go to offer a unit.

But I'll wait

Brian,

You didn't ruin the looks, it's still a beautiful car.

Didn't mean to offend just I did not want to obscure the look, so I hid my radio from view..

Bruce: No offense! I was just explaining rationale. There are a number of other items that are not original looking. Once I got past selecting electric roll up windows, going with a non-original looking dash was not a problem for me.

Bruce (Stumpp) and Roland:

Thanks for the nice compliments. Unfortunately, I have not been able to drive the car yet, except around the neighborhood. I went through a title service with my paperwork one month ago and still no bill of sale/title. Sometimes I just sit in the garage and stare at the car, wishing and hoping.

A word to the wise for anyone going this route: start on this at least two months before delivery of your car.

I am also curious as to correct speaker location(s) - any other options other than punching holes in the door panels.

Have you priced the D speaker grills at Stoddards? That's Outrageious over $100.oo each. Just for the correct part.

And yes! Brian's car is great.

Tweeks has what they claim is a 55 - 65 Porsche updated, look-alike radio replacement. CD/Cassette, 100 watts, bunches of pre-sets, all for $199. P/N: 411-009 in their catalog at tweeks.com

Be interesting to hear from you guys who have originals (converted or replica's) to see if these really DO look similar to the original Becker or Blauplunkt units. Were the originals similar to or the same as Volkswagen units?

gn