am/fm radio

I had my '65 Comet AM-FM repaired by Mike Hagan of Fairless Hills, PA. He's about a 20 minute ride for me, and I had known about him for many years prior to my needing his services. About 5 years ago, I drove to his house with my prized Bendix AM-FM, and dropped it off. He gave me a quick tour of his interesting shop. My radio was repaired for a flat rate, which was around $125 at that time, and it took a few weeks for completion.

He did mention that he was able to perform Stereo conversions on vintage radios without altering their fit or appearance.

Found him with Google. Thanks.

Edited by - round2K on 06/14/2005 16:16:51

Apparently the AM/8 track stereos can be modified also. Anyone have one that was upgraded, if so what was done and what are the results. As much as I like the old-time sound and quirks of my 8-track, I might go for the upgrade to make it sound better.

The prices on the AM/FM radios are incredible. What is the AM/8-track going for these days? I haven't seen one for sale so have no idea.

Does anyone have a AM/8 track stereo? What speakers are in your car and are they original?

Edited by - LuvKcodes on 06/15/2005 01:06:47

Anybody heard of the "Ford studio-Sonic" option ?

It was a rear speaker and a "re-verb box" in the trunk.

Just wondering how rare they are. I have original installed and also the "ford" specs wiring diagram for mine. Still works great and there is an "oldies AM" in STL. Am and re-verb now that IS nostalgic!

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

Apparently the AM/8 track stereos can be modified also. Anyone have one that was upgraded, if so what was done and what are the results. As much as I like the old-time sound and quirks of my 8-track, I might go for the upgrade to make it sound better.

The prices on the AM/FM radios are incredible. What is the AM/8-track going for these days? I haven't seen one for sale so have no idea.

Does anyone have a AM/8 track stereo? What speakers are in your car and are they original?

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana" size=2 id=quote>

8-tracks seem to sell around $250-350. They require a slightly larger hole in the dash, but if your dash has been cut, this is a slick way to fix it if you aren't concerned that your car didn't come with an 8 track originally. In addition, door speakers are required to be "correct", i believe they are 5x10?? There are a few better options for the door speakers.

Another cool thing is you can get a converter for the 8-track that will allow you to play casette tapes. And then there's a converter from casette to CD! When I had my fastback I could play CD's through the 8-track system, very cool. <img src=images/icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

Anybody heard of the "Ford studio-Sonic" option ?

It was a rear speaker and a "re-verb box" in the trunk.

Just wondering how rare they are. I have original installed and also the "ford" specs wiring diagram for mine. Still works great and there is an "oldies AM" in STL. Am and re-verb now that IS nostalgic!

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana" size=2 id=quote>

This was an available dealer option. The parts that I have seen were Motorola. Included a center rear speaker in the package tray, the box in the trunk and then a dial on the bottom edge of the dash.

Thanks Charles thats just what I've got, all original and I have the Ford wiring digram too. Its like a 2'x2' blue print of the instillation mounting and wiring. My switch is just right side of steering column mounted on the back "lip" of the bottom of the dash its a 2 way switch in and out for on/off left right for front rear and re-verb effect strength.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

8-tracks seem to sell around $250-350. They require a slightly larger hole in the dash, but if your dash has been cut, this is a slick way to fix it if you aren't concerned that your car didn't come with an 8 track originally. In addition, door speakers are required to be "correct", i believe they are 5x10?? There are a few better options for the door speakers.

Another cool thing is you can get a converter for the 8-track that will allow you to play casette tapes. And then there's a converter from casette to CD! When I had my fastback I could play CD's through the 8-track system, very cool. <img src=images/icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana" size=2 id=quote>

Thanks for the response, Charles. Do you know which door speakers are "original?" Mine has door speakers bought from Calif Mustang several years ago, I think they are JBL, but I don't know if they are a match for the originals, adequate replacements for the originals, similar or what. They are good speakers, sound a lot better than the AM in my other Mustang.

I have the converters you mention so could go to playing CD's thru the 8track but what I was wondering is if the fidelity, sound, etc. of the AM/8 track would be improved by having it modified internally as described in the Radio Man story. I don't know if I would do it anyway since I get kind of a nostalga kick out of playing the 8 track when cruising in the Mustang, since it has it's quirks and funny sound, you have to have one to know what I mean. I have about 100 8track tapes so no shortage of oldies to select from.

By the way, off the point, but does anyone have an old jukebox they want to sell? I', looking for certain ones. Thanks.

you know, i'd be willing to give the radio conversion a shot if anyone has a donor they'd give me a bit of time to play with.

I have the am/8-track option, but my original speakers were shredded, so like an idiot, I tossed them. I bought new replacements from NPD and of course, the holes don't line up. Not to mention that I have the original barrel type connectors still in the doors and the new speakers came with spade type connectors. Does anyone know where I can get the barrel type connectors. None of the Mustang vendors seem to carry them.

I am excited about the idea of playing 8-tracks. They were just going out when I was a kid (along with the giant console stereos we used to have). My father-in-law had a bunch of 8-tracks that we tossed a few years ago. I guess I will have to turn to ebay to find some.

For those interested,

I have a AM-8 Track for a 66 mustang. It has the face plate, one knob missing and it does not work. It will need to be repaired. The harness from the radio to the doors are long gone, but are available from most parts vendors. It's sitting in the garage collecting dust. I don't need it cause I will be using the original AM radio that came in the car. If anyone interested drop me a line. I'm not looking for a million dollars for it.

Dave V.

Sent you a email.

I think someone had a prototype repop at the SEMA show this year.

CSXEng, sent you an email.

Custom Auto Sound will be introducing a reproduction of the AM-FM radio for 65-66 any day now. We saw it at SEMA in November, with March 1 delivery promised. So far not much mention but Mustang Monthly had a little teaser about it in the last issue. The guy at SEMA said 1500 of them will be produced but I know little else. A photo is in the March MM, page 31 at the bottom of the page. Easy to overlook. Plays CD, Ipod and 200 watts. I have one on order if they are ever released. Virginia Mustng and NPD will both have them and I am sure many others when they hit the market. I have a real one in a conv and will compare the two when it arrives. Murf

I was planning to have my radio "modernized", but guess I'll wait until more information is available on the quality on this one. I'm guessing it'll be lighter than the originals are. If you have one on order, Murf, can you tell us the cost?

I have no idea what the new radios will cost. I knew they were going to be available, talked to Jeff at NPD a lot during the carpet issues I had this winter, and he agreed to get me the first one they got. Will let you all know the results whenever the radio comes in, when? I do not know. Murf

Hope they're better quality than the rest of the junk CA puts out...

I talked to Ed Jacinski last year about those AM radios he converted to AM/FM back in the 80's. He lives here in Calif. He did not express any interest interst in re-making the AM/FM's.

I'm currently looking for a 66 AM/8 Track radio, or just a faceplate, working or not.

thanks, Bill