Speedster Stereo

My stereo guy says a new stereo system on my speedster will be around $2,000. This, because I am asking that the stereo be iPod ready, because he will have to build the speakers into either side of the front side panels, and because he is including an amplifier. Does this sound right? Can someone who has installed an elaborate stereo system give me some feedback?

Sounds high to me. How were you plnning on integrating the ipod, with a Bose system?

He wasn't necessarily going to use a Bose System. The stereo itself is iPod ready so that once it's installed, all I need to do is slip the iPod into the holder, and the Ipod information will show on the receiver.

You said sounds "kind'a high." Friends I know here (who don't own Speedsters) thought it was ridiculous. I want the best system I can have for my Speedster, but I don't want to get shafted.

Thanks for responding.

Did he say anything about dropping your trousers and grabbing your ankles?

That was clear enough. Do you have a Speedster and do you have a stereo system installed? If you do, what kind is it, and what'd it cost you?

With all due respect Joe; why would you want a stereo or a/c for that matter, in a Speedster? It's exhilarating just to hear the rumble of the engine; by the way, if you want to hear the stereo in one of these cars, it better be plenty loud!

I don't want an a/c, just a stereo. I love the rumble of the engine, but I'd like to back it up with a little rock 'n' roll.

I just bought a Becker Europa off eBay for fifty bucks since I couldn't stand seeing some new LCD stereo with all the lights sitting down there and spoiling the whole vintage look that I paid dearly for. I know the Europa's not the "real deal" but it looks the part good enough for a repli-car. With no CD or casette, I'll run an iPod via FM transmitter and hook up power to it, play some pre-set song list, and be done. It's mostly just for entertainment when stopped. I have no big idea that it'll produce great sound on the road. Looks right, priced right, makes music. Done.

Rock'n'Roll, Country, Blues, Swing, etc. is alright with me!!! As I said, just make sure you pack enough watts in there! Good luck!

Joe, you mention in your first post that the stereo will be able to display the information from the IPOD. If this is correct and you have a lot in not full control of the IPOD from the stereo and display then you are buying a very high end unit hence the price. What is the make and model stereo that you where quoted ?

Peter's got it right.
What make model, what enclosures, where will the speakers be positioned, etc?

A stereo in a speedster is a must for me, but 2k seems mighty high. You could easily install a ipod compatible stereo for under $700 that sounds amazing at highway speed, with one weekends work.
You could also spend $1600 on just the headunit if you wanted one that does everything. (Clarion has one with all the ipod functions and DVD video, this just seems useless)

So gather all the specs from the stereo installer and tell them you have to think about it. If they won't give you all the specs, leave immediately, don't turn back.

BTW, Pioneers universal adapter looks to be one of the most economical ways to go, it will hook a huge range of the pioneer head units to an Ipod for about $140. Together with a $140 headunit you have a full solution for $280, although I have yet to see one in person.

Apple's page for Ipod car accessories is here
http://www.apple.com/ipod/ipodyourcar.html
-=theron

I must be missing a whole lot. I use a $25 iTrip adapter to wirelessly transmit iPod signal to current radio. Sounds whole lot better than them 8 tracks!

If you need the display of your stereo to display what is already being displayed on your iPod, you will pay dearly, but as Theron mentioned, check what you're getting and see if it's what you really need and costs right.....don't forget to factor in installation. But there are many other much less expensive solutions. Work with your installer and tell him what you want.....what you need....and what you'd like to spend and see if you can align these 3 wishes.

I agree with Luke's advice. If the song/list/cd is already displayed on your Ipod/MP3, why worry about the head unit?

We agree on those 8 tracks!

Or, you could buy a nice used 356 Series Blaupunkt Frankfurt for around $100, send it to a guy in MN to regut it with a new PLL tuner, a 180W Amp, and an aux plug to use it (switch on side of chassis) as an amp for your Ipod, MP3, CD Player/Deck, or Sat. Your unit is directly plugged into the Franskfort. For $400-600 you get this, plus buy a Speedster under dash mount (not from E-Bay they are too high), add speakers of your choice. I used orginal german sets and grills, Bs on the Kickers, Cs in Back and you have the radio that is original (optional) equipment from the factory (or Becker from US dealers). Mine sounds great, even top down at 70mph. Use a good set of US Speakers and you can do the whole thing for around a grand.

Write for links and details.

90% of the time I listen to my engine. But out on a long stretch of road, it's nice to have my Sony MP3 (1mg the size of a pack of gum) plugged into my unit and my road trip lists playing.

Again, it looks period, sounds great, and your Ipod plugs directly into that old Frankfurt. The dial rolls backward (old Euro) and the old pushbuttons for MMUUL are cool. The radio works great and I use an amped hidden antenna under my dash. In the pic below you can see the line from my radio to my Sony MP3 laying on the right floorboard.

i recently got an alpine unit with an ipod interface. the whole setup cost about $450. i don't recommend it. the wheel on the stereo isn't multi-speed, like it is in the ipod. therefore, if i want to pull up an album or artist starting with a letter like "m", i have to scroll through everything prior to that...one by one...it's basically useless unless i just want to listen to aerosmith or zz topp. i'd say you are much better off with a head unit that has a line in, get a $5 plug from radio shack, and plug the ipod in directly, using the head unit as a pass-through to the amplifier.

In "Search" use words secret radio, and then open the

for about $1,000.00 I put together a small factor automotive pc that holds 1,000's of mp3's,plays dvd's,internet, email, gps compatible and windows xp applications, and of course mp3 player compatible and you can hide the whole thing and have the screen pop out whenever you need, no need for keyboard because the screen is touch screen, you click with you finger

You say we are straying from the topic? My God, it's a new regime!

So we can judge the "straying" I've copied and pasted the original post below:

"My stereo guy says a new stereo system on my speedster will be around $2,000. This, because I am asking that the stereo be iPod ready, because he will have to build the speakers into either side of the front side panels, and because he is including an amplifier. Does this sound right? Can someone who has installed an elaborate stereo system give me some feedback?"

It's surreal.

Time to use forum SEARCH - key word = Radio

Crutchfield has an excellent web site and their staff is very helpful. Check them out if you want to do some comparison shopping.

http://www.crutchfield.com

I did my radio like Jim W. except that the aux input is from my satellite radio. I don't like the monthly fee, but I don't like having CD's laying around even more.

I wouldn't change what I did, but my second choice would be the totally hidden variety with a nice remote.

Go to the Apple Store at www.apple.com and see the accessories for Ipod that for about $60.00 will transmit your Ipod to ANY stereo and play it on an FM band.

The only decent sounding FM Transmitter is the PodFreq http://www.podfreq.com/
It is the only one that uses the dock connector instead of the headphone jack. It's $99 and to be fair, for that price it comes with a car charger, mount plate and protective case. Still, FM transmission never sounds as good as a direct connection.
-=theron

My girlfriend bought the iTrip, I believe and has not had very good luck with it. If you're going to go with an FM transmitter, get feedback first.

Do all the research you can and search the forum as I believe this has been talked about before. I'll cast a vote for something fairly unobtrusive.

Or why not just get a stereo that recognizes MP3 and they will show your tuneage on the screen. 160+ tunes on 1 CD. This way you'll never get your iPod ripped off if you forget it in the car. The best stereo I have seen so far and has the best sound is Jeromes. Man!!!! It'll make a deaf man hear!!!

https://www.speedsterowners.com/files/view.asp?sf=JHS&f=July+03+%2D+4%2EJPG

Jeromes set up may be a good way to go. Thanks for sharing that Mike. I hope to see his beautiful speedster some day.

I like my system (I should after the investment), but dollar for dollar I think Bill George's Hidden system may be the best buy on the market, especially for speedster replicas (top down driving). I looked at his system at Knotts and also at a few installed in Street Rods since then and it's a beautiful set up. The sound is primo, especially for top down driving where clarity and DB's really count. I would seriously check it out if I were doing a build now or upgrading a Replica without a stereo.