Author Topic: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio  (Read 6626 times)

bheston

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 68
    • View Profile
Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« on: March 17, 2018, 12:41:55 PM »
We like to hit the drive-in during the summer with the kids. My 69 was only equipped with an AM radio and I would never want to change it - love the originality.  I’ve been looking at a few Bluetooth speakers with FM radio built-in. Need the FM radio to get sound at the drive-in. Has anyone sourced an optimal Bluetooth FM radio for the same problem? There are a few on Amazon but I wanted see if anyone found alternate solutions.

z28z11

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1853
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2018, 08:41:51 PM »
Why not consider finding a '69-70 AM radio and converting it to FM, with MP3/Aux. inputs, and replacing (and storing) your original ? I'd also consider buying one of the reproduced AM/FM radios, as they have a modernized chassis that accept most of what you would want to enjoy a good system without sacrificing the original appearance.

Then again, you can always carry a separate sound system that you can remove when you want to. All of mine are AM's, I'm faced with the same dilemma - I want the appearance, but I need the sounds.


Regards,
Steve



 
1968 Z28 M21/U17 BRG/W 1967 Chevy ll Nova SS 
1969 Z28 X77/M20/VE3 LeMans/W
1969 L78 X66/N66 Cortez/BVT
1969 Z11 L48/M35/C60/C06  1949 3100 5wd 235/6

bheston

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 68
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2018, 09:49:58 PM »
I like the idea of buying a spare and converting it.  Normally, I don’t need much audio entertainment because the engine is providing that  :D

ZLP955

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2186
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2018, 11:15:42 PM »
Or you could just take a portable battery-powered FM radio with you whenever you go to the drive-in. Much cheaper and no work required on the car.
Tim in Australia.
1969 04A Van Nuys Z/28. Cortez Silver, Dark Blue interior, VE3, Z21, Z23, D55/U17, D80, flat hood.
Sold at Clippinger Chevrolet in Covina, CA.
AHRA Formula Stock at Lions Dragstrip, NHRA E/MP at Pomona Raceway

bcmiller

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4010
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #4 on: March 18, 2018, 12:00:27 AM »
Or if you have as smartphone, have the music on the phone and a nice portable Bose bluetooth speaker.

That’s what I do. :)
« Last Edit: March 18, 2018, 11:41:30 PM by bcmiller »
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

bheston

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 68
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #5 on: March 18, 2018, 05:22:10 PM »
I proposed the portable FM radio but my wife made fun of me.  :o I think it’s a great practical solution. Although a Bluetooth FM receiver still has me curious.

X33RS

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1092
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #6 on: March 18, 2018, 06:41:16 PM »
I simply used Classic Auto Sounds for ours.  I don't like cutting things and prefer the stock look, but wanted a modern sound system since we drive ours daily.

Their radio has a stock appearance, bolts in like a stock radio with stock knobs so at a glance it does appear stock, but has blue tooth, MP3 capabilities as well as extra connections for amps and things of the sort if you want to take it that far.    I hide the MP3 in the glove box, the buttons normally to slide the bar for stations are electronic, with digital display on the screen.  When the radio is turned off there is an analog script on the face to appear like a stock radio.

Overall pretty happy with it.  I kept the install very simple.   I hide 6x9's out back under the package tray that can't be seen, and used a Classic Auto Sounds mount for dual front speakers under the original dash location.   Works excellent for what we wanted and didn't cut a single thing on the car.

169INDY

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1786
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2018, 06:43:49 PM »
We have a local that can take your Factory AM radio and alter it,
Click = turn on radio. ( Or on-off in succession )

1 click = AM
2 click = FM (No scale other than the AM freq scale must tune by ear)
3 click = MP3 input via pitail hidden under dash with extension cord.

His POC info is:

"BILL THE RADIO GUY"
Repair-Restore-Convert
Bill Newman
Sales 360-426-8632

Site
www.billtheradioguy.com/

I have seen this work first hand as My Chevelle Buddie had one Nova and one Chevelle am radios converted.

This is my plan for my AM in my 68Z

JIM
Jim
68 SS/RS L35 Th-400 LOS
69 Pace Car L48 Th-350 LOS
68 Z28 M21 LOS

BULLITT65

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4476
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #8 on: March 18, 2018, 10:44:24 PM »
Or you could just take a portable battery-powered FM radio with you whenever you go to the drive-in. Much cheaper and no work required on the car.

I do this when we drive our newer car to the drive in, so we don't drain the battery. Last time we went there was like 5 cars that had to get a jump start because they had drained there batteries down to low. No thanks...

 ;)

I think the conversions are good for the daily driving idea though. I have decent stations here in socal, so I listen to talk radio, oldies, or turn it down and listen to symphony of the motor.  :)
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
-Looking for an original LOF soft ray windshield
-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

qwertyme77

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 108
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #9 on: March 20, 2018, 04:06:31 AM »
What do you think of this? Way back in the eighties,  I bought a new underdash Pioneer TP-900 Supertuner 8-Track Fm Radio. Never installed it, and it's still new in the box. I've always thought it would make a nice period piece after my car is finished. Leave the in dash AM radio with dash speaker, and have the Pioneer with a pair of 6X9's in back. Pic is not my unit, but what it looks like. Assuming I attached the pic correctly.

BULLITT65

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4476
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #10 on: March 20, 2018, 05:21:06 AM »
Man that must of been an expensive unit back in the day.
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
-Looking for an original LOF soft ray windshield
-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

KevinW

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 857
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #11 on: March 20, 2018, 11:09:08 AM »
I did the Factory AM (was not working anyways) to the am/fm/mp3 conversion.  Been loving it, well worth it! 

bheston

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 68
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #12 on: March 20, 2018, 11:46:14 AM »
That's a cool 8-track.  If that was a dealer-installed option, I might consider that.  Right now, I have my eye on this bluetooth speaker with a built-in FM tuner.  Most say the FM reception is good.  Easy to deploy when needed and hide when not.

HawkX66

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 766
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #13 on: March 20, 2018, 12:21:39 PM »
They have blue tooth amplifiers that are stand alone for reasonably short money. You can mount them under your seat. That's more than likely the route that I'm going to go. You can them connect to them with an FM tuner app on a smart phone if you need FM like at the drive in.
Dave
69 SS396 X66 L34 M21 BS
Z23 711 U17 Hugger Orange
Semper Fi!

Mike S

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2665
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #14 on: March 20, 2018, 03:35:47 PM »
I've installed the RediRad on my 67 AM equipped convertible. I plug the cell phone into the mini jack (located inside the ashtray) and play Pandora through it. It has the 'classic' sound that an AM radio w/single speaker can provide, but with absolutely no static and no wire modifications.

Mike
67 04B LOS SS/RS L35 Hardtop - Original w/UOIT
67 05B NOR SS/RS L35 Convertible - Restored

qwertyme77

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 108
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #15 on: March 21, 2018, 12:45:09 AM »
I found a facebook group dedicated to those pioneers, and someone is converting old 8 Track to Cassette adapters to bluetooth/usb/aux in. I believe it's using the existing adapter output so it can be popped in and out. Managed to find the parts out of China, now I have to figure out how to wire them up.

70L34

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 166
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #16 on: March 21, 2018, 04:21:22 AM »
Can you provide contact info to order one of these? Cool invention.

qwertyme77

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 108
    • View Profile
Re: Stand-alone Bluetooth FM radio
« Reply #17 on: March 22, 2018, 12:40:12 AM »
Can you provide contact info to order one of these? Cool invention.
I really wish I could. From what I can tell, the facebook group is based in the Phillipines, and there is a bit of a language issue to be able to understand what they're saying, and facebook translate is less than perfect. I'm going to try and replicate what they did, but figuring out the circuitry is going to be a challenge. It took me weeks to be able to track down the supplier for the front panel! If I can get it working, then I'll see if there is any interest in these.