Rebody Classic style radio anyone?

Pond

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 26, 2016
Points
144
Location
Spaldingski, Lincs
Model of Z
Z3 project
I was hoping that a few people had already fitted old style (or even just old) radios and they could say what they did and why they did it. I was just interested to know what others have actually done.
It looks like they haven't.
Maybe because they don't exist anymore without the LCD or LED displays from turning them into something useable?
IMHO the 'old style' new ones look a bit naff. The Chinese trying to cater to a market that isn't really there?

The irony is that DIN size new car stereos are dirt cheap these days, as all modern cars have a million speakers and built-in 'infotainment' from factory so the market just isn't there like it was.
My JVC from Halfords was £70 new. It has all manner of 'stuff' and sounds really good.

Yet in 1988 I would spend many months' wages on something similar, as it was 'all the rage'.
 

Duncodin

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Points
163
Location
Pontrhydyrun - in Crow Valley
Model of Z
M44 FrankenZed
It looks like they haven't.
Maybe because they don't exist anymore without the LCD or LED displays from turning them into something useable?
IMHO the 'old style' new ones look a bit naff. The Chinese trying to cater to a market that isn't really there?

The irony is that DIN size new car stereos are dirt cheap these days, as all modern cars have a million speakers and built-in 'infotainment' from factory so the market just isn't there like it was.
My JVC from Halfords was £70 new. It has all manner of 'stuff' and sounds really good.

Yet in 1988 I would spend many months' wages on something similar, as it was 'all the rage'.
There are lots of old din car radios on the bay but when you get back to the good names from late 50's early 60's the prices are crazy.

I don't actually need a radio. 🤷‍♂️

Everything, including diagnostics, will be provided by the Linux computer display disguised as the loudspeaker in the middle of the dash.

But in the design of my dash there's a radio in the middle of the dash that can't (in my mind( be avoided. In theory I could put in a none working radio just to fill a hole. But I can't bring myself to do that.
 

Duncodin

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Points
163
Location
Pontrhydyrun - in Crow Valley
Model of Z
M44 FrankenZed
Compared to what you posted above there are things like this out there that may be a better design the led display under the overlay will always annoy you because i know it would annoy me .
But again depends on what features you are looking for what you would need.
Sorry i know this doesn't really help you much.
Stephen.

Converted old radio is an idea. Thanks. Although that one has a bit too much patina.

I don't want all the BT, USB, AUX features. I've got other hidden 'ICE'. But the radio is an important part of the 507 mashup dash design I'm working on.

Screenshot 2025-09-17 at 10.38.26.jpg


Ignore the colours. They're not written in stone. But the contrasting colours helps me work on the shape,

The 507 has that large speaker above the radio. In my design that is a fabric lid that flips up and can be pushed back into the dash exposing the LCD of a Linux computer. Think ICE, Satnav, Diagnostics,

Anyway. I could install a non-working old style radio to fill the hole but I'd really prefer one that worked. I can't bring myself to install a dummy radio.

But your idea of a converted one means it has modern electronics rather than 60 year old steam powered.

An idea I'll look in to.
 

Duncodin

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Points
163
Location
Pontrhydyrun - in Crow Valley
Model of Z
M44 FrankenZed
I know you are looking for experiences, but I came across this website in case you hadn't already found it. There are Youtube videos of people using them so you can see what they are like.

RetroSound RetroRadio – Authentic Look, Modern Tech for Classic Rides – Tagged "bmw"– Retro Manufacturing
Thanks for that - if you look at the pictures you see they show
#1 The LCD Digital Display or
#2 The display with the vintage Overlay. (With radio switched off - ie no LCD display)

They never show the LCD Digital Display switched on showing through the Vintage Overlay. (Or I couldn't see it)
 
Last edited:

HansZolof

Regular Member
German Zeds
Joined
Sep 15, 2024
Points
14
Location
Munich, Germany
Model of Z
Z3M Couoe
ask for the sticker to be in black and white contrast, black background clear numbers if you really want one. But I understand it is too much for your needs.
 

HansZolof

Regular Member
German Zeds
Joined
Sep 15, 2024
Points
14
Location
Munich, Germany
Model of Z
Z3M Couoe
Yes. It just works as a mobile phone screen protector. No glue just lay it on and it stays. And the background leds will be backlighting just the numbers. You can have different led colouring on these.
 
Top