more radio/antenna related questions

[type1vwjapan]

hi, working on getting an old radio going again in my bug. still exploring different options while keeping my budget in mind.

just found out that the current radio I have in it doesn't work. hooked up power to it and no go...

so...on to get my hands on a good, working radio! preferably as early as possible that has both am/fm and can be used with my 12v system. been combing the classifieds for a good one to match my car.

been doing my homework and reading up on how to get a radio installed into my car as well.

as simple as it sounds and as much as I've looked through the archived radio manuals on this site, I can't exactly pinpoint how the speaker installs behind the grill...

I looked at this diagram on this page, and it looks like it screws in from the front side.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/sapphirei_8_1960.php

the instructions say to take the speaker grill off, and then install the speaker. is this all right?

also, my car never had a side mounted antenna. so, I need to drill some holes for it. is this the template I need to be using to make my holes? it was the only one I could find, and wasn't sure if it was just for ghia or not. looks like a bug in the pic though.


finally, I'm looking into buying this antenna.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1716958

love the red tip, which reminds me of what was used on split cars. does it seem alright in quality? I saw that they had good feedback, and it looks legit. so thinking about picking it up.

thanks in advance!

[Sharp64]

There are a couple of companies making vintage style and look radios that will directly fit your car without having to cut the dash. If you still want to buy a 50 year old radio, I believe it was the Sapphire 3 or 4 that was 12v and AM/FM but the quality of sound is going to be crap compared to today's radios. Also, most if not all of the new ones made have USB inputs and such so you can plug your personal music source in.

[grandpa pete]

Year of bug might help ;

speaker goes in from the back .
YOU NEED an adapter to get it to fit ; speaker available from Wolfsburg West $8

Get adapter from classifides ; used

_________________
63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

[Eric&Barb]

[grandpa pete]

[Eric&Barb]

No problem! We all have our "Duh" moments...
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[type1vwjapan]

Thanks for all the help and advice. It's a RHD 1967 Australian Beele. It is about the equilavent of a 1963 US spec bug.

[type1vwjapan]

Do you think this radio will fit my dash without modding it?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1947050

Love the face of this radio! Seems like it might be for a 356 Porsche...

Thanks again!

[type1vwjapan]

this one is nice too! from the same seller too.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1947052

it seems like this faceplate is more rectangular shaped and meant for a bug???

[Eric&Barb]

Above chrome surround is correct for Beetle. The below surround is not. Both radios are built for any Euro auto with same radio dash opening that VW used in the Beetle from 1958 on.

Of course the surrounds could be switched. The second one is nicer having AM/FM/LW....
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[Sharp64]

If you are looking at spending $260, why not go with something more modern that fits into the same space?

http://www.classiccarstereos.com/?gclid=CNP_srWi2s4CFUYbgQod7L0EnQ

http://vintagecarradio.com/shop/index.php/vintage-radios-c20/volkswagen-c43.html

https://www.retromanufacturing.com/

Some of these are even sold through JBugs or other outlets. I think you can get them on Ebay as well.

[type1vwjapan]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm really wanting to get a real, vintage radio going in my car. It just wouldn't look or feel the same. I realize these old radios are technologically inferior to modern day sounds system, but if you just spend a little more, why not give your car the real radio it deserves, especially if you're going the stock look like I am. But, those are some nice looking radios I must say! Appreciate it!

There is just something that feels good about owning the real thing and hearing your tunes being played through an old amp. I have a modern stereo tucked away in my glove box for all that new, modern stuff. But, when I'm in the mood, I want to enjoy some tunes through an old radio and utilize the good old front speaker grill.

I've actually decided to go with this unit after many hours of cutting and pasting using paint, lol. It's both am/fm too, and period correct for my car.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1933517

Love the looks of this radio, and it's from a very reputable seller on here who specializes in vintage radio restorations. It's in superb condition. He said he can even convert it to 12V for me and most likely hook up an mp3 jack. Working on trying to get him to change those black knobs to ivory ones to better match my dash. If he can't it'll still look awesome I think.


Thanks again!

[KTPhil]

Watch out for the angle of the Blaupunkt bezels. Although the surrounds are styled like a Beetle's (one very much so), they look like they are made for a dash that is not vertical.

[type1vwjapan]

Thanks for pointing that out! I too noticed that after hours of hours of staring at them. Hey, it sometimes takes me a while to get things. But, hey...I get there eventually.

That's one reason I went with the Becker Europa radio.

[Zwitterkafer]

The "angled" chrome surrounds are fine and correct for a Beetle, but they should be supplied with the corresponding angled filler bracket that goes between the back of the dash and the radio chassis. Chrome surrounds with the trim nubs on the ends are for Deluxe, and without the nubs is correct for Standards or CDN Custom. One of the radios posted earlier here looks like it has an incorrect chrome surround, since it is obscuring the K and U scales on the dial, while having a large gap above the pushbuttons. That surround is for an older radio with chunkier pushbuttons.

IMO the original tube type radios, after replacing a capacitor or two, give a really good sound which unfortunately is partly lost anyhow, over the air-cooled engine clatter. Another part of the vintage experience is turning on the radio, and waiting for sound as the tubes warm up.
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[type1vwjapan]

yep, this radio that I bought from radiophil is a tube style radio. can't wait to get it in my car and fire it up! he's working hard on getting it converted to 12v for me. I really couldn't have purchased from a more honest, hard working man who really knows what he's doing.

call me crazy, but I've been thinking about installing a Telefunken radio antenna on my bug like was used in the early to mid fifties on splits and some ovals.

as people know, I'm an early VW nut, but who just can't afford to purchase or drive a real split or oval car. parts are just too much and scarce for me over here in japan.

here is the one I'm looking at from Sam at repuestossam. he makes true NOS quality repro parts that are nearly impossible to find. I know it's like $300, but to me it's worth it. I can only do this stuff once, so might as well make it the way I really want it.

http://www.repuestossam.com/en/beetle/split/s021.html

I know that my car has a washer nozzle that could be in the way. I'm sure I can get it to fit though, even if push comes to shove and I have to install it slightly to the side. I'm hoping it'll actually fit in front of the wash nozzle okay.

I emailed Sam about the antenna, but they're currently on their summer break now until the 31st. I'm sure he'll inform me about the antenna, but just wanted to get some outside opinions about the antenna.

Feel free to criticize it for how "stupid" or how period incorrect it will look, but I honestly feel it will look nice. I'm mostly looking for some advice on installing it.

Thinking about getting it with the black "Telefunken" badge, but may go with the red. Don't know...the reason I'm thinking about the red "Telefunken" antenna badge, because I believe that Aussie bugs that had the Wolfsburg crest on the front hood had a red background to them. Thought the red badge would look nice with my white paint and give it that little bit or red that I think it's missing and needs.

On the other hand, do you all see any complications I may run into with installing this antenna? Seems simple and straight forward really, with the exception of drilling holes into your front and roof section. I don't mind the light modification, as I'd have to drill holes in the side for an antenna anyways. My car never had holes drilled for an antenna on the side.

I'm definitely asking my local air cooled shop to do that for me! I could just see me seriously screwing somethin up real bad! I don't think anything will be in the way where I mount it to the roof, but again don't know for sure.

To me it seems like the rearview mirror mounts about where the antenna does though...hmmm...???

any advice or insights will be great! Thanks!

[Jody '71]

Here's my advice. Don't go drilling holes in your hood or on your roof and spend all that $ on an antenna like that. You might really regret doing that later. Stuff like that was few and far between back in the day. Get you a standard telescoping antenna like what the dealers installed. I seem to recall that these type can be adjusted for pulling in signals over the airwaves when need be. Especially for the FM. Simple, you move the antenna up or down to get the best signal. Dealers installed the antennas on either side, whichever side would be your choice.
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'66 Beetle
2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring

[type1vwjapan]

Thanks for the advice, Jody! I'll keep all of that in mind. it would be nice getting to save a few bucks on the antenna and to get some other more important stuff that I'm needing for my car.

I like the looks of this antenna on another note! even has a red tip on it!

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1716958

does anyone know about the overall quality of these things? it's from a reputable vendor and seems okay to me.

thanks again!

[Dangermouse]

You really don't need a shop to install the antenna for you; mark where you need the two holes, cover with some masking tape (this just stops the drill bit wandering), start with a very small, sharp (new) drill bit and make a small hole. Then just enlarge the two holes with successively larger bits until they are the size you need, maybe 12-13mm. I use a smear of silicone behind the mounts just to keep moisture out of there.

WRT to quality, I've had a couple of similar dual mount antennas on my car. The chrome on the mounts of most is very thin and will rust very quickly looking quite ugly. I then tried the dual mount antenna from Retro-Sound -

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-eaWo2JgI5qP/p_068ASMADP/RetroSound-Volkswagen-Antenna.html

When it arrived I was initially a bit disappointed because the mounts are actually chromed plastic but, several years later, no rust of course and they look as good as new so that's my recommendation.
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[Eric&Barb]

Before drilling use a center punch so the drill does not wander. Drill first thru with a 1/8" or so small bit, then go to the bigger size needed. For holes 1/2" or bigger you can use a knock out punch for a clean hole like factory. Here is a kit HF has, and probably could get better quality smaller sizes online elsewhere.

http://www.harborfreight.com/knockout-punch-kit-10-pc-60575.html
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