What type of radio should I buy?

General chat about the car goes in here.
DieselSpider
Posts: 2130
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 10:21 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider with Isuzu Turbo Diesel

Re: What type of radio should I buy?

Post by DieselSpider »

Kinda shows how moot a point the looks of the radio can be. To me definitely not over $300 worth of difference that's for sure.

With the glowing endorsements of members who have gone with this one listed on Ebay for $16.06 for a new one we have a pretty decent and economical compromise.
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3 feet of range would put you outside the passenger compartment of the 124 Spider. Lets face it the BT Phone feature is mainly for the driver anyways and do you really want your phone linked up and receiving calls when your further away from the car.

If you want nostalgia you could get the 45 rpm automotive radio with phonograph too but that like an 8 track was impractical. I remember having to keep a spool of splicing and metal sensor tape when you had an 8 Track in a car as heat and cold would take their toll so you had to disassemble the cartridges to replace the splice or metallic track change tape far too often. I am not sure an old school Lear 8 Track would be a good fit with the limited space inside the console of the 124 Spider as I had quite a few of them back in the day and they were huge. A carry case of 8 Track Tapes also took up a lot of space. Could we even fit 4 of them in the glove box with room left for the owners manual and a pair of gloves?
gschwab
Posts: 22
Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2017 12:27 pm
Your car is a: Fiat 124 Spider CS2 1979 California

Re: What type of radio should I buy?

Post by gschwab »

I'm in Europe, so the options are a bit different. I opted for a vintage Blaupunkt unit that is actually a little older than the car. It is one of the last units with some nice chrome trim, so I think it fits pretty well. For better sound, I added a booster/equalizer from the same era below the glove box. I like keeping things original. It's not the most practical solution, but if it was about that, I probably wouldn't drive that car ;)
https://ibb.co/ZdSH7Yt
DieselSpider
Posts: 2130
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 10:21 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider with Isuzu Turbo Diesel

Re: What type of radio should I buy?

Post by DieselSpider »

Here in Florida they have been the economy sports car ranging mostly from $1,500 to $3,000 unless a real concourse restoration.

Real cheap basic transportation without a lot of electronic doodads to go wrong. Mine since purchase to date has cost me $2,500 and that's including the purchase price. I do all my own work including welding/body repairs so I do save a lot by not purchasing preformed body panels and just do the work to form and weld inexpensive sheet steel myself.
TheBender
Patron 2019
Patron 2019
Posts: 220
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2017 1:57 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider

Re: What type of radio should I buy?

Post by TheBender »

Eastportspider wrote:TheBender: I think I'm leaning that way. Can you post a photo of how the Hermosa unit looks in your spider?
Thanks,
Steve
Here it is.

That $20 option is interesting, but for me, I like the look and ease of use with this one and would do it again.

Image
Eastportspider
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun Aug 18, 2019 1:32 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Fiat Spider 2000
Location: Annapolis, MD

Re: What type of radio should I buy?

Post by Eastportspider »

TheBender: Thank you for posting a picture of the unit in your Spider! It looks great--I was watching for Cyber Monday sales this week from RetroSound, but didn't see any discounts. I think its time to order.
Did you replace/upgrade your antenna or speakers when you replaced the receiver? I've looked at the power antenna option--I have it in my Alfa and it works smoothly. I also plan to check the sound coming from each speaker in my spider--best to get all the work done at one time.
Thanks,
Steve
TheBender
Patron 2019
Patron 2019
Posts: 220
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2017 1:57 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider

Re: What type of radio should I buy?

Post by TheBender »

Eastportspider wrote:TheBender: Thank you for posting a picture of the unit in your Spider! It looks great--I was watching for Cyber Monday sales this week from RetroSound, but didn't see any discounts. I think its time to order.
Did you replace/upgrade your antenna or speakers when you replaced the receiver? I've looked at the power antenna option--I have it in my Alfa and it works smoothly. I also plan to check the sound coming from each speaker in my spider--best to get all the work done at one time.
Thanks,
Steve
I replaced the speakers with a pair of JBL GTO429 Premium 4-Inch Co-Axial Speakers and they get the job done for me. I didn’t bother hooking up the antenna as I only stream music via Bluetooth.
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