Just received an email this morning from Corvette America. Have done plenty of business with them over the years. Anyway this email I received was an announcement that Corvette America now has an exact replacement AM/FM Radio for the C-2 Corvette from '63-'67 that has all the bells and whistles built into it. The price is get this $595.99. Just curious to your thoughts about this. Basically it is just a AM/FM radio thats it. It looks just like the original. Supposely there is a provision to plug your Ipod or CD or Satelite device into it. To me $600 dollars for this item seems like a hell of a lot of money. Am I behind the times to think this? Below is a copy of the list of features that is included:
Features Include:
> Fits your dash without any modifications
> Uses original antenna
> Chrome plated die cast nose piece, band selector bar and pushbuttons look all original
> Correct knobs
> Slidebar duplicates action of original (slide the bar UP and the AM dial is displayed. slide the bar DOWN and the FM dial is displayed)
> 10 presets (5 AM, 5 FM)
> 4 x 45 watts RMS output allows up to 180 watts of audio power
> Only 3" depth behind dash
> Analog controls look and feel like the original radio
> All controls easily accessible. Volume, Bass, Treble, Balance, Fader and Tuning from original-looking controls
> CD or XM (satellite) inputs included
> LED dial lights will never need replacing
> Digitally tuned AM/FM/Stereo front end provides stable, high quality reception
> 7/16" shafts on controls for mounting (same size and thread as original shafts)
> Memory retention for pushbuttons and user settings more than 40 years $599.99
Part #
Year
Description
UM
Price
45029
1963-1964
Radio AM/FM Stereo
See Note 1
EA
$595.99
45030
1965
Radio AM/FM Stereo
See Note 1
EA
$595.99
45031
1966
Radio AM/FM Stereo
See Note 1
EA
$595.99
45032
1967
Radio - AM/FM Stereo
See Note 1
EA
$595.99
Check desired items
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1967 Marlboro Maroon 4spd Coupe 1973 Dark Blue 4spd Coupe w/air, original 25,000 miles 1999 Black C-5 Hatchback Coupe 6spd LS1 1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe eng. code "ZZZ" 350-345hp Chevy Powered! 1970 Black on Black Monte Carlo(FOR SALE)Asking $18k
I hardly ever listen to the radio as my sidepipes play pretty nice music. But even if it were a quiet car, $600.00 plus shipping seems pretty steep for a radio. I did see some posts on the other site and I emailed the guy who was doing the conversions to original radios and he said he was not doing them since they are producing these new ones.
Fred, unless you have a/c in that beastie (and therefore can roll up the windows to actually hear anything) I don't think it's worth it. Every once in a while I try my old "Wonder Bar" radio (that still works, by the way) and hafta crank it up to near speaker-blow volume to hear even if I have it tuned in right at highway speeds!
Sebring, I know what you mean. The original Radio in my '67 is not the greatest sound in the world but it is pretty much like it was back in the day from what I remember. These factory radio's didn't play well back in the 60's. They were alway's fading I remember and like Ken mentions if you have Sidepipes that is the number one sound you will be listening to most of the time anyway. I was just curious to what others on this forum thoughts were of the new replacement C-2 radio and of it being offered at a premium price on top of everything. Maybe if they got the price down to under $200 at todays prices they might sell some. I might even be interested in one keeping my factory original on the shelf.
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1967 Marlboro Maroon 4spd Coupe 1973 Dark Blue 4spd Coupe w/air, original 25,000 miles 1999 Black C-5 Hatchback Coupe 6spd LS1 1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe eng. code "ZZZ" 350-345hp Chevy Powered! 1970 Black on Black Monte Carlo(FOR SALE)Asking $18k
Sebring, I know what you mean. The original Radio in my '67 is not the greatest sound in the world but it is pretty much like it was back in the day from what I remember. These factory radio's didn't play well back in the 60's. They were alway's fading I remember and like Ken mentions if you have Sidepipes that is the number one sound you will be listening to most of the time anyway. I was just curious to what others on this forum thoughts were of the new replacement C-2 radio and of it being offered at a premium price on top of everything. Maybe if they got the price down to under $200 at todays prices they might sell some. I might even be interested in one keeping my factory original on the shelf.
Fred,
"IF" I were to install a radio I would put it in the rear jack well with a wireless remote control I could leave in the glove box. I like the way the original radio looks so I would not want to swap it out. Then I would put a cd changer in the other well for long trips since I would not want to attach a satellite antenna for XM radio. You can but a very good receiver and changer for much less than $600.
Got to agree with you there Ken. I never liked the other replacement C-2 radio's either that they were offering with cassette in the past. They just didn't look right sitting in a C-2 dash. Today I wouldn't even consider a CD changer like I have in plenty of my other vehicles for my C-2. Probably the best way to go is to get your original C-2 Radio done up to todays standards and just bring along your IPOD. I think I remember you telling me you use your IPOD in your car if I remember correctly. Years ago back in 1970 in my first '67 Vert I put 6x9 speakers in the well area behind the seats. I had a TRI-Speaker set up so to say. The front Speaker handled the left channel of my then 8-track player and the rear speakers handled the right channel. Pretty good sounding back then.
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1967 Marlboro Maroon 4spd Coupe 1973 Dark Blue 4spd Coupe w/air, original 25,000 miles 1999 Black C-5 Hatchback Coupe 6spd LS1 1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe eng. code "ZZZ" 350-345hp Chevy Powered! 1970 Black on Black Monte Carlo(FOR SALE)Asking $18k
Bite me too !! Not even a cd player.
