To Radio or not to Radio, Or maybe a hidden radio Options

[bkrantz]

I am trying to decide whether to rebuild my dash with a radio cut-out or a blank plate. I do not want a modern looking head unit in the dash. I know I can get a vintage look with modern internal tech, but then why not just hide something?

What does the tribe think?

[Montreal914]

That is a big question... I have been looking at these retro style radio but they don't seem right to me.

Question about the proper era Blaupunkt. I know they have DIN connectors in the back for line input and I believe output too... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) Could the Blaupunkt be used for the volume control while the input is a phone and output goes through an amplifier? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Would that by-pass the low sound quality of the unit?

Now for a radio delete, why not having the basket weave go over the entire dash eliminating that annoying vertical cut line by the radio/blank panel?

Agreed that he dash without a radio seem empty. I am not sure about the fuel gauge in that spot à la GT on a street car. Seems like it need the rest of the GT interior goodies.

There is probably a market for era Blaupunkt refurbished with modern guts acting simply as a control device with basic functions where the rest would be handled by input and amplifiers of the person's liking.

[bbrock]

There is probably a market for era Blaupunkt refurbished with modern guts acting simply as a control device with basic functions where the rest would be handled by input and amplifiers of the person's liking.

There is actually a service that does this. Unfortunately, I have lost the link but when I was researching, I came across a place that would replace the guts of vintage Blaupunkts and replace them with modern electronics. Looked pretty slick but the price was out of my income bracket. By the time you were all in, you could buy Porsche's way overpriced Classic PCCM with builtin navigator.

The reason I ruled out a vintage radio in the dash and a hidden streaming device is because I still listen to radio a lot and live where signals are usually not very strong. Looking at a vintage radio is cool but listening to 1970s style static, not so much. Digital tuners are just a lot better at producing clear sound. That was the same reason I ruled out the streaming modules that plug into the DIN plug on a Blaupunkt. The controls seemed like a bit of a kludge to me and in the end, you are still piping the signal through crappy, outdated electronics.

For me, I had to decide whether the sound or looks was most important and it is easily the sound.