Bluedot AM Radio

learn · Post by **learn** » Sat May 21, 2005 7:08 pm

Hi
I am picking up a 1970 911T with original blue dot period AM radio. Don't get me wrong, I'm as period as the next guy, but it would be nice to listen to my collection of CDs whilst on the road.

So...would it be straightforward to remove the bluedot radio, put in a modern front loading CD/MD (sorry purists), reinstalling the old radio when selling the car on? Would this affect resale value? Would I be creating some kind of early 911 wiring faux pas? Am I destined to listen to BBC World Service and Shipping reports for the next few years?? Thanks!!

hot66 · Post by **hot66** » Sat May 21, 2005 7:46 pm

I have no radio etc in my car.... all I need is the sound of the flat6 on song

learn · Post by **learn** » Sun May 22, 2005 6:46 pm

Very good point, but i'm an in flight entertainment kind of guy and I can't sing along to the Bursch inspired engine sound (lovely as it is of course!)

impmad2000 · Post by **impmad2000** » Mon May 23, 2005 10:54 am

I am not sure if it is that simple.... The AM radio is a twin spindle design yes ? and the cut out in the dash is only suitable for this style radio (I don't know, mine has already been butchered I believe!) And so to fit a modern CDRadio, you need to make the hole in the dash a big square hole. The wiring can be done sympathetically, so that the old radio can be re-fitted, but the hole in the dash cannot easily be made smaller again !
There are companies offering a modern FM radio conversion, where the guts of the old AM radio are replaced with modern electronics. Fine if all you want is radio.
My plan ( for one day, when I get round to it) is to get hold of a period radio and hardwire into it a 3.5mm jack socket so that I can plug in an extenal MP3 or CD unit. Perhpas even upgrade the Radio circuitry and Amplifiers too ! Who knows. I have too many project as it is.
Scan the list, someone did list the name of the people who do the conversions.

Cheers
Tim

impmad2000 · Post by **impmad2000** » Mon May 23, 2005 10:57 am

http://www.vintagewireless.co.uk/
Found it !

timster · Post by **timster** » Mon May 23, 2005 2:06 pm

Have also been thinking about the 3.5mm jack option for my radio so as not to mess about with the dash too much, but have now cut out any fiddling whatsoever. Get yourself an iPod with an iTrip FM transmitter (illegal in UK but obtainable from most iPod websites). They also do a cradle that fits into the cigar lighter - bit cumbersome tho'.

Basically, the iTrip sends out a frequency from the iPod to the radio at whatever frequency you fancy, e.g. 88FM, then you basically get radio quality tunes straight off. Also added bonus of no CD's cluttering up teh car. Nice.

Although the sound quality has a lot to be desired I think it adds to the whole experience when you slap on Led Zeppelin II or the Faces and get the mono speaker distortion. Certain enough that everything gets drowned out at about 4500rpm, but that's when you want to focus a little on the real reason you're behind the wheel of the 911. Anyway, works well enough in sh#*y london traffic and the sound quality adds to the '70s rock and roll feeling.

What a combination - Led Zeppelin and an early 911. Great.

timster

Peter · Post by **Peter** » Mon May 23, 2005 2:51 pm

I have just removed a modern CD player from my car and have filled the gaping hole with a period Blaupunkt Frankfurt, not really to listen to but for aesthetic reasons. Means my early '70s collection of Mott the Hoople, Lou Reed, David Bowie, Tom Waits and...Jack Jones has had to shelved back at home, but I could never really hear it anyway!

Problem now is getting hold of the correct dash trim piece to finish off the fitting of the radio.

Don't do it, stay original.

impmad2000 · Post by **impmad2000** » Mon May 23, 2005 3:30 pm

timster wrote: iTrip FM transmitter

It is an AM radio though !

I don't get the mono speaker thing, 'cos whilst butchering the dash for a later radio, I have big stereo speakers in the doors too.

There are pictures of a speaker panel fitted discretely under the dash board (Lukes car I believe)

Whilst I have a modern (ish) radio, it only has a cassette deck, but at least I get to hear "Dark side of the moon" as recorded from vinyl, complete with scratches

timster · Post by **timster** » Mon May 23, 2005 4:21 pm

Hmm, yeah, sorry about the FM thing - orginal owner of my car must have been on the ball when he ordered the latest (1971) Blaupunkt AM/FM jobby. But ipod option recommended for anyone else wishing to take the preservationist route.

Mono speaker? Well, couldn't be doing with any holes where there shouldn't be and there is only one small speaker in the dash - although did pick up on the discrete under-dash speaker option, cheers.

timster

Viv_Surby · Post by **Viv_Surby** » Tue May 24, 2005 11:23 am

timster wrote:Hmm, yeah, sorry about the FM thing - orginal owner of my car must have been on the ball when he ordered the latest (1971) Blaupunkt AM/FM jobby. But ipod option recommended for anyone else wishing to take the preservationist route.

Mono speaker? Well, couldn't be doing with any holes where there shouldn't be and there is only one small speaker in the dash - although did pick up on the discrete under-dash speaker option, cheers.

timster

iTrip works for me too (I've got a period Clarion am/fm cassette (whatever they were....

)

altho Tim is right, more often than not it's off as I'd rather listen to the commotion going on behind me

learn · Post by **learn** » Wed May 25, 2005 3:16 pm

Thanks guys,
Yep, upon reflection, I think i'll keep it locked onto 911 2.2 FM!

saxon · Post by **saxon** » Sun May 29, 2005 10:48 pm

learn wrote:Hi
I am picking up a 1970 911T with original blue dot period AM radio. Don't get me wrong, I'm as period as the next guy, but it would be nice to listen to my collection of CDs whilst on the road.

So...would it be straightforward to remove the bluedot radio, put in a modern front loading CD/MD (sorry purists), reinstalling the old radio when selling the car on? Would this affect resale value? Would I be creating some kind of early 911 wiring faux pas? Am I destined to listen to BBC World Service and Shipping reports for the next few years?? Thanks!!

Why dont do go for somthing like i have in my car it still looks retro
with out looking to modern the front of the cd player is made of metal
so it dosn't look out of place.

http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewto ... stallation

learn · Post by **learn** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 5:43 pm

Belated (!) thanks for the suggestions. I sold the car in 2006 but can see that they are now going for silly money. When did that happen?!Should have kept her [slaps forehead]..

smallspeed · Post by **smallspeed** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 9:06 am

Take a look at the Alpine DAB option - this is a discrete controller, with another small box and stick-on windscreen aerial
It "injects" audio either via an FM signal (per iTrip) or through a 3.5mm jack, OR I believe can also be connected directly to an aerial socket (effectively this plugs in where the aerial was and then the aerial plugs into it)
It will give you DAB radio, plus handsfree, and if you buy the higher end one (about an extra 10 quid) will stream music via Bluetooth also..

I'm planning on putting one of these in my wifes car with just an amplifier/speakers, and no head unit at all to keep it clean and tidy looking. The controller unit is battery powered and small enough to hide in an ashtray or similar

HTH

learn · Post by **learn** » Thu Dec 28, 2017 9:39 am

Thanks smallspeed. If I get another one, that's good to know!

DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Bluedot AM Radio

Bluedot AM Radio

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