Radios in 53, 54, 55's

[Mike Van Veghten]

Just got another 54 wagon.
This ones gonna be a daily driver, so's I need to put a modern AM/FM radio in it somehow.

Anyone know of a make/brand of somewhat modern radio that will fit without cutting up the bezel ? I know back a few years a coupla companies used to make radios that you could move the knob spacing around a little.
I don't know if they are still available...or if the knob spindles will spread far enough..!

Any thoughts ?

Thanks

Mike

[brngarage]

Mike:
I can put you in touch with a shop that can convert your radio to a "remote control" for a hidden radio that will do all the "modern stuff". Your radio remains where it is and looks untouched, but operates the hidden modern radio.

[RadioRoy]

Another option is to have a stock radio converted to AM/FM with auxiliary inputs for an MP3 device or a CD player or satellite and the dash will look stock.

Here's the company that makes the kits. The dealers are on the website, too.

http://www.radiosforoldcars.com/stereoF.htm

[Skip Lackie]

Just FYI: I think I still have a new (1970s) aftermarket universal Sanyo AM/FM/cassette with adjustable shafts still in the box. I will have to check to see how far apart the knob shafts will adjust. I have an identical one in my Avanti II, and (before I found the correct AM/FM) had it in my 64 Daytona. It fit fine in both, but those cars took a smaller radio than the 53/55. And of course, as expected, it's 12v negative ground.

[Dick Steinkamp]

How about a stock radio block off plate and a modern radio in the glove box with a hand held remote control? Not great if you want to change CD's all the time, but fine if you listen primarily to the radio and/or an MP3 device.

[Jeff_H]

Someone here posted this company a few months back:

http://www.retrosoundusa.com/products/details/id/165

This is intended to fit in a chevy pickup but apparently will fit behind the bezel on the '53-'55 stude radio too. I suspect the original stude knobs may fit the shafts too.

[ralt12]

For the http://www.retrosoundusa.com/products/details/id/165 product, the bezel (it's plastic) needs to be cut to fit the Stude faceplate, but the original Stude knobs don't fit. The knobs they have, though, are a pretty good period-appearing set; if you didn't know what the Stude knobs looked like, you'd think these came with the car.

[rockne10]

There's also Redi-Rad, available for 6 or 12 volt.

http://www.rediscoveradio.com/

[Mike Van Veghten]

Thanks for the choises all.

Mike