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obnoxiousblue
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2007
Posts: 2939
Location: East Northport, NY
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 Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 10:08 am Post subject: 1964 Beetle - 6V Radio |
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Just in the home stretch on the bug, and in a quandy with the radio. I want to keep the car 6V seeing as there are no issues to urge any conversion. I did purchase a Retrosound and a 6V to 12 V converter but am left wondering if there are other options for a 6V AM/FM radio - would even consider a near-mint stock radio.
Not being overly familiar, what make and model would have been likely to find in a 64 bug?
Thanks folks!
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Mike
1964 Beetle
2001 Eurovan Camper |
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panicman
Samba Member
Joined: December 18, 2011
Posts: 2290
Location: Canby, OR
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 11:21 am Post subject: Re: 1964 Beetle - 6V Radio |
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Would have most likely been a Sapphire I. Folks still restore these to like new, and you can even add Bluetooth, USB, or just a mini jack and then stream music over it without changing the function or appearance.
I have several old ones that don’t currently function that you could have restored and modified if you run out of options.
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EverettB 
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69802
Location: Phoenix Metro
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Russ1967
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2018
Posts: 33
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 3:31 pm Post subject: Re: 1964 Beetle - 6V Radio |
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Mine is a 1967 6v.
It has a 'Le Chaperon' AM radio.
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jberger
Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2003
Posts: 2476
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 3:49 pm Post subject: Re: 1964 Beetle - 6V Radio |
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Having fought with this issue...why not delete the radio and add gauges with the fastfab panel and use a hidden Bluetooth amp for sounds. It’s a super sweet setup.
J |
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obnoxiousblue
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2007
Posts: 2939
Location: East Northport, NY
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: 1964 Beetle - 6V Radio |
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Oh my. Now, as it seems, nothing but a Sapphire II will do.
I thought about a blanking plate, but the car is bone stock so gauges might’ve looked a bit out of place. I reached for a RetroSound naturally back when I had my bus, but that doesn’t feel right here.
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Mike
1964 Beetle
2001 Eurovan Camper |
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EverettB
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69802
Location: Phoenix Metro
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 5:03 pm Post subject: Re: 1964 Beetle - 6V Radio |
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| Russ1967 wrote: |
Mine is a 1967 6v.
It has a 'Le Chaperon' AM radio.
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This is a period radio but not typically stock for a VW as far as I know.
It's more of a universal radio for all makes/models.
My Bus has a pullout Le Chaperon picnic AM radio, it's kind of cool since you can take it out and it still plays using batteries.
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Wayne S. Johnson
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Joined: April 12, 2006
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Location: GILROY, CA
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matthew henricks
Samba Member
Joined: January 02, 2002
Posts: 1219
Location: So. Cal
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2021 7:18 am Post subject: Re: 1964 Beetle - 6V Radio |
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FWIW my original family 64 has a Sapphire 1 still is 6V. I am keeping stock but will clean it up a little. I am using a Redirad to inject modern tunes. The downside though is you still have the single speaker but i am not going for modern sound.
For me the hard part is getting the chrome surround to look good again...
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Parts i am looking for:
64 bug nice used front/rear Black LHD floor mat. |
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obnoxiousblue
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2007
Posts: 2939
Location: East Northport, NY
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2021 9:16 am Post subject: Re: 1964 Beetle - 6V Radio |
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| matthew henricks wrote: |
For me the hard part is getting the chrome surround to look good again...
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This is my concern, right up with the proper inner workings of the radio is it looking as nice as the rest of the car.
My radio is in similar - if not a bit more worn - condition to yours. I'm a bit worried about the buttons on which the paint seem to be worn down.
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Mike
1964 Beetle
2001 Eurovan Camper |
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matthew henricks
Samba Member
Joined: January 02, 2002
Posts: 1219
Location: So. Cal
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2021 11:30 am Post subject: Re: 1964 Beetle - 6V Radio |
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| Quote: |
| I'm a bit worried about the buttons on which the paint seem to be worn down. |
Agree about the buttons. Yours are nicer than mine. I will figure out how to remove them and restore them since finding better ones is not only expensive but not easy either. Have already spoken to a few radio guys and they say it can be done but difficult. Worst comes to worst i will 3D print replacements.
Otherwise in talking with radio guys they recommend replacing the capacitors and then cleaning everything with deoxit. I figure i can't mess mine up any more so will give it a go.
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Parts i am looking for:
64 bug nice used front/rear Black LHD floor mat. |
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rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2502
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2021 12:27 pm Post subject: Re: 1964 Beetle - 6V Radio |
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| obnoxiousblue wrote: |
| ...what make and model would have been likely to find in a 64 bug? |
You might consider using a period-correct Blaupunkt AM/FM/SW radio. They can be set to work on either 6V or 12V and look right at home in a vintage VW. There's also an input jack so you can connect an iPod, iPhone or similar device thru an adapter cable.
Here's the Blaupunkt Frankfurt in my '63 ↓
If you go this route, I'll offer my standard advice on old radios: Make sure you only buy one that's fully functional 'cause repair costs can exceed the original selling price. Any radio for sale advertised as "not tested" should be considered not working.
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'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone) |
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Murdlem
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2004
Posts: 512
Location: Port Angeles, Washington
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| Posted: Tue May 04, 2021 3:25 pm Post subject: Re: 1964 Beetle - 6V Radio |
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Check with members of your local club.
I was able to find a nice condition, fully functioning, original Sapphire I for my 64 for an excellent price from a local club member.
If you want original, get the Sapphire I.
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Eric Meldrum
68 Ghia
Check out my blog. https://vwlifenet.wordpress.com/ |
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matthew henricks
Samba Member
Joined: January 02, 2002
Posts: 1219
Location: So. Cal
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rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2502
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 10:10 am Post subject: Re: 1964 Beetle - 6V Radio |
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| matthew henricks wrote: |
| Anyone have tips for re-finishing the chrome on the faceplate of these? |
If the chrome isn’t all pitted and crusty, you can scrub it good with a brush and citrus de-greaser, the follow up with some chrome cleaner/polish.
If the chrome is really shot, it’ll need to be stripped and re-chromed by a plating shop. This will be pricy for such a small part, so it might be better to just buy a nicer one from here in the classifieds.
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'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone) |
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KTPhil
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 33991
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 10:28 am Post subject: Re: 1964 Beetle - 6V Radio |
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| Or alternately, clean it, and paint it using a so-called "chrome" spray paint, clear coated for protection. It's won't be chrome, but it will look clean and bright. |
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harrymarlin
Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2018
Posts: 718
Location: Washington, DC
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| Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 11:17 am Post subject: Re: 1964 Beetle - 6V Radio |
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| KTPhil wrote: |
| Or alternately, clean it, and paint it using a so-called "chrome" spray paint, clear coated for protection. It's won't be chrome, but it will look clean and bright. |
I haven't found any chrome spray paint which makes metal or plastic look anything more than dullish gray. Do you have a good product you recommend?
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-Harry
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1967 Ruby Red Convertible Beetle ("Becky")
ISO Albuquerque "Imported Motors" dealership paraphernalia |
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