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-   -   Car Radios (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=348432)

rfitzpatrick 04-15-2025 06:32 PM

Car Radios
 

Who's the Go-To-Guy about the car radio's for this era?

nkaminar 04-15-2025 07:07 PM

Re: Car Radios
 

Jack Benny

Kurt in NJ 04-15-2025 07:18 PM

Re: Car Radios
 

I have a Grigsby Grunow 110 introduced in 1931. The 111 is for the 32 Ford.
There were very few other car radios available.
What are you trying to do?
There is a special water inlet for the larger generator available in 31 for radio equipped cars.
also used on passenger bus.

Bruce of MN 04-15-2025 08:02 PM

Re: Car Radios
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ (Post 2383894)
I have a Grigsby Grunow 110 introduced in 1931. The 111 is for the 32 Ford.
There were very few other car radios available.
What are you trying to do?
There is a special water inlet for the larger generator available in 31 for radio equipped cars.
also used on passenger bus.

Water inlet?

rfitzpatrick 04-16-2025 09:31 AM

Re: Car Radios
 

"What Are You Trying To Do?"
There used to be a company that would take the control head of say -- 1931 Philco Transitone and fabricate a new receiver for it, I have one in my '31 Budd Cab. The owner pasted away and the company folded. I'd just like to find out if someone took this service on.
TKS


Yes, I know this is not original equipment -- neither am I as just had a hip replacement and a pacemaker -- so there!!

Keith True 04-16-2025 10:16 AM

Re: Car Radios
 

I didn't know if you were looking to restore one,or convert one.I see now you want to convert one.(the smart thing to do)I had a few done years ago,I used two different places,and I just picked the names out of Hemmings.I had one done about eight years ago for a 35 Ford,but never installed it.I found the whole setup to be in my way in an A,so I took it out.I just throw a satellite boombox in the A if I want music with me.I can't remember the places I used before,it's been a while.The special water inlet was to clear the bigger generator.

Kurt in NJ 04-16-2025 10:29 AM

Re: Car Radios
 

1 Attachment(s)
This is from the service bulletins.
I have a generator that I found at Hershey that is the same style brackets as original A generator but is longer and larger in diameter.
I also have found 2 water inlets.

SDJason 04-16-2025 10:51 AM

Re: Car Radios
 

In case you just want the look of a vintage radio (and don't mind that it's actually modern), here's what I did - it's a Crosley CR-82 AM/FM battery (4 AA) powered radio - they show up on ebay regularly for around $25-$40.

I feed a MP3 player (filled with period music) through an FM transmitter to it.
It's mounted to a wood tray I made with scraps that were laying around.


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1662397319

Ruth 04-16-2025 11:02 AM

Re: Car Radios
 

I don't think I need music in my car that bad.

nkaminar 04-16-2025 11:50 AM

Re: Car Radios
 

I am not sure that music could be heard over the noise of the wind and the car. I once played period music from an MP3 player at a car show. The MP3 player was connected to speakers.

I have a CD changer that came out of a 1979 Jaguar. Make me an offer. I think it holds 10 CD's, but I have not looked at it in years. A modern radio would fit under the seat with knobs protruding into the passenger compartment.

Kurt in NJ 04-16-2025 11:56 AM

Re: Car Radios
 

I have a radio installation manual from the early 30s and it says to make the rotor gap .005.

David in San Antonio 04-16-2025 01:03 PM

Re: Car Radios
 

I’ve considered getting a compact wind up Victrola that folds closed into a small “attaché case”. Good for car shows amongst the Lamborghinis. The 78 rpm records only play for between 3-5 minutes per side so it would not be constant.
Here in Texas folks used cactus needles when the steel ones wore out.

Ruth 04-16-2025 01:26 PM

Re: Car Radios
 

2 Attachment(s)
Not Model A, but a least a Ford. I have a hiden stereo system controlled by the original 1955 Ford radio head by remote control in my Ranchwagon. I forget now the name of the company that used to do the conversions.

Notice the Conelrad points on the radio for emergencies during the Cold War. (By the 6 & 12).

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1744827382

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1744827926

David in San Antonio 04-16-2025 01:35 PM

Re: Car Radios
 

I never knew those little Civil Defense deltas had a name. Learned something today!

ModelA29 04-18-2025 01:09 PM

Re: Car Radios
 

There is not enough room in an A dash for a radio. Hanging a knee bumper under the dash isn't the answer.

I toss a bluetooth speaker on the back shelf of our Coupe and feed it from my phone.
https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Blue...b=hilltop&th=1

rfitzpatrick 04-18-2025 03:26 PM

Re: Car Radios
 

[email protected] might be the place. Now there's a bracket that allows the Control Head be mounted on the steering column, and the receiver elsewhere. I have an extra Philco Transitone Control Head and bracket, but there's a lock that I'm trying to get a proper key for
TKS

Kurt in NJ 04-18-2025 04:51 PM

Re: Car Radios
 

post a picture of the lock and control head please.

rfitzpatrick 04-18-2025 05:24 PM

Re: Car Radios
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ (Post 2384508)
post a picture of the lock and control head please.

It's the Philco Cathedral design. I'm just not capable posting pictures - if you'll pm you email, I can do that.
TKS

gary678* 04-18-2025 07:33 PM

Re: Car Radios
 

The music of the road and motor is all I need to enjoy the ride! GD

katy 04-19-2025 10:24 AM

Re: Car Radios
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfitzpatrick (Post 2383883)
Who's the Go-To-Guy about the car radio's for this era?

I've heard the name Thomas Edison mentioned. :)


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