GreatOldOne Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 https://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk I’d like to put a radio in my TR6 - yes, I know it’s all about the 6 cylinder symphony… but I’d like a DAB radio for quieter moments, and Bluetooth for the phone (mainly for satnag purposes) Does anyone have one? What have you done to fit? My car has an unmolested h frame, so it would mount via the spindles. I plan on having speakers in the side (kidney?) panels in aether foot well. The issue i think I would have is reception as my car is not fitted with an aerial of any sort. And I’d rather not drill big holes in perfectly good bodywork. I’ve seen the windscreen mounted foil aerials, but not sure that would look very appealing in the car. Is there any way of hiding an active aerial under the dash or somewhere else in the car? Advice welcomed! Cheers, Jason. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR NIALL Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 3 minutes ago, GreatOldOne said: https://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk I’d like to put a radio in my TR6 - yes, I know it’s all about the 6 cylinder symphony… but I’d like a DAB radio for quieter moments, and Bluetooth for the phone (mainly for satnag purposes) Does anyone have one? What have you done to fit? My car has an unmolested h frame, so it would mount via the spindles. I plan on having speakers in the side (kidney?) panels in aether foot well. The issue i think I would have is reception as my car is not fitted with an aerial of any sort. And I’d rather not drill big holes in perfectly good bodywork. I’ve seen the windscreen mounted foil aerials, but not sure that would look very appealing in the car. Is there any way of hiding an active aerial under the dash or somewhere else in the car? Advice welcomed! Cheers, Jason. I used a standard roof aerial and it’s loosely between the Gearbox Tunnel and Passenger Seat and picks up a reception no problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 Hi Jason very difficult to hide a decent aerial inside the bodywork (under the dash etc) With a soft top then NIall's will work as it is open to the sky. On my 4A I attached the aerial to the rear bumper and fed the cable forward. This works well see pic below If you are going to use the original mounting spindle holes you will need to get a modified 'old' radio. Very few moderns will fit. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreatOldOne Posted January 29 Author Report Share Posted January 29 Thanks chaps. I was looking at this one in particular: https://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/shop/classic-car-stereos/autosound-classic-car-stereo/ccs-classic-200b-spindle-mount-radio-black-dab-dab-fm/ There’s also retrosound which seems a Moss exclusive this side of the pond. And they’re bloody expensive (and all out of stock). And whilst an old, modified radio would look amazing, I’m not paying £1500 for a radio. https://tadpoleradios.co.uk I’ll hum a tune instead. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 I use my boot rack as an arial. You have to isolate it from the body, but not that difficult with a few plastic / fiber washers etc. Bob. Old Radio modified for FM, & Bluetooth. single speaker strapped under battery box. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PodOne Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 34 minutes ago, GreatOldOne said: Thanks chaps. I was looking at this one in particular: https://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/shop/classic-car-stereos/autosound-classic-car-stereo/ccs-classic-200b-spindle-mount-radio-black-dab-dab-fm/ There’s also retrosound which seems a Moss exclusive this side of the pond. And they’re bloody expensive (and all out of stock). And whilst an old, modified radio would look amazing, I’m not paying £1500 for a radio. https://tadpoleradios.co.uk I’ll hum a tune instead. I've fitted the one you are looking at with a chrome front along with a sub woofer in the boot and a stick on ariel to the windscreen behind the mirror. The front speakers are as fitted by Triumph under dash on top of tunnel. Radio works well but with the top down not much cop with the hood up its ok. Sub wise I suspect it would be better relocated to under the seats as I cant say its added much from the boot. If doing it again I'd fit two bigger speakers in the back panel and a bigger amp but then who needs a radio the motor sounds better! Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hawk Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 Ask yourself if you actually need an aerial. I have a daily driver that doesn't have DAB (but does have BT) and none of my classics have ever had aerials. Instead, I stream radio stations via my mobile phone. it actually uses very little data and gives you access to a lot more stations. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hawk Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 PS I have a couple of kidney panels that I never fitted to my 6 that you can have for the cost of postage Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreatOldOne Posted January 29 Author Report Share Posted January 29 58 minutes ago, Hawk said: Ask yourself if you actually need an aerial. I have a daily driver that doesn't have DAB (but does have BT) and none of my classics have ever had aerials. Instead, I stream radio stations via my mobile phone. it actually uses very little data and gives you access to a lot more stations. That is a damn good point and one that had slipped my mind completely. 57 minutes ago, Hawk said: PS I have a couple of kidney panels that I never fitted to my 6 that you can have for the cost of postage I bought some from TRGB when I got the car, but thanks for the offer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreatOldOne Posted January 29 Author Report Share Posted January 29 I might roll my own… it looks pretty straightforward to add BT to a classic stereo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trumpy Posted January 31 Report Share Posted January 31 I found a new old stock 1970’s Motorola radio on eBay .( I was somewhat sceptical until it arrived boxed and the discoloured poly bag still sealed ) . I then sent it away to have Bluetooth fitted . Sat nav works well through my iPhone and I have a 60s/70s/80s playlist to keep in character. never bothered with dab radio and not fitted an ariel but it would work through the iPhone if required. my only gripe is the volume control has been bypassed so I have to use either the phone control or there is a remote that came with the conversion. speakers fitted into the panels behind the H frame ,I stuffed sponge material into the void behind the speakers to improve the sound and it’s reasonable ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreatOldOne Posted February 11 Author Report Share Posted February 11 I found an old Motorola 114. No new old stock, but in good condition. I gutted it and created the frankenradio. please excuse the filthy mats and tired carpet. I also printed a phone mount that fits into the ashtray aperture in the dash. It’s an apple magsafe one, so it charges my phone whilst it’s on there and the phone connects to the radio via Bluetooth. Worked a treat on the way to and back from Stonleigh on Sunday. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted February 11 Report Share Posted February 11 Well done roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR NIALL Posted February 11 Report Share Posted February 11 9 minutes ago, GreatOldOne said: I found an old Motorola 114. No new old stock, but in good condition. I gutted it and created the frankenradio. please excuse the filthy mats and tired carpet. I also printed a phone mount that fits into the ashtray aperture in the dash. It’s an apple magsafe one, so it charges my phone whilst it’s on there and the phone connects to the radio via Bluetooth. Worked a treat on the way to and back from Stonleigh on Sunday. Now you’ll have to paint the rusty air vents and centre hold down bracket Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreatOldOne Posted February 11 Author Report Share Posted February 11 They’re on a very long to do list. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreatOldOne Posted February 17 Author Report Share Posted February 17 On 1/29/2025 at 11:06 AM, PodOne said: Iwith a sub woofer in the boot Andy - where in the boot did you put the sub? I have a small flat ‘under seat’ one that is currently behind the drivers seat - which is ok, but not very period looking. Nor is it very very secure from a theft point of view. I was thinking of upright against the rear boot card, but not sure. The cards are just cardboard after all. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PodOne Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 Mounted on 12mm ply wood attached to the inner wing under the trim panel. Given the choice again then I would not fit in the boot as its sound contribution is minimal you have the best spot under the seats which is where modern cars tend to fit them. Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreatOldOne Posted February 19 Author Report Share Posted February 19 On 2/11/2025 at 11:25 AM, TR NIALL said: Now you’ll have to paint the rusty air vents and centre hold down bracket Better? I de rusted the fixings and cold blued them too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR NIALL Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 21 minutes ago, GreatOldOne said: Better? I de rusted the fixings and cold blued them too. Makes a huge difference for not a lot of Money. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spikethorne Posted February 28 Report Share Posted February 28 I have the Retrosound one which uses a free floating ariel you can put anywhere. It does everything you want. I also have 4 or five different period radios, motorola etc. I have tried speakers front, back, on dash tweets and even in the headrest, from Mazda. My advice… Don’t bother. Unless you want music whilst working on the car or when stopped in traffic. You can’t hear above 20mph with the top down and only stationary with it up. Get some in ear headphones. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve-B Posted February 28 Report Share Posted February 28 Funny as it may seem, I have decided to not install a stereo and installed made use of our Kettler Parasol Bluetooth speaker. I have velcro on the bottom of it to sit right between the seats on the parcel shelf, or if it's just me out, I attach it through the passenger seatbelt. For times I want music it works well, even with classical or jazz. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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