Introduction

Our classic car radios are brand new, modern radios that are designed to look old and fit in your original dash while providing you with the latest car audio technology. These radios allow you to keep your dash original without sacrificing the ability to play music from your phone, add an amplifier, or even listen to an AM or FM station without the needle jumping on you because you hit a bump in the road.

There are many different options available. In this buyer's guide we will explain the differences between each brand and radio model, give our recommendations, and provide you with the questions you need to ask yourself in order to choose the right radio for your classic car.

Custom Autosound vs. Antique Automobile Radio

Custom Autosound and Antique Automobile Radio are the two brands of classic car radios that we carry. And while they both serve the same market, they do it very differently.

Custom Autosound is the leader in modern radios that fit the dashes of classic vehicles. They manufacture four in-dash replacement radios for classic cars; the USA-230, USA-630, USA-740, and the Slidebar. Each radio has slightly different features, but they are all designed to fit directly into your car without having to cut the dashboard and they are all made to have a classic look with modern technology. Custom Autosound also offers the SST-V hidden radio that allows you to keep your dashboard completely original and have a remote controlled radio hidden wherever you choose.

Antique Automobile Radio OE Replica radios are designed to look as close as possible to the original radio that came in your vehicle and provide you with modern features. These radios come standard with Bluetooth built-in and an auxiliary input in the rear. This attention to detail on these radios is unbelievable. The displays have roll-over dials where appropriate. The pushbuttons work and feel like mechanical pushbuttons even though there is a digital tuner on the board to ensure you don't have the stations jumping on you. They are metal where they are supposed to be metal and plastic where they are supposed to be plastic.These radios are specifically tooled to fit the exact years that are specified. If you want the most original appearance possible, the AAR OE Replica is the way to go.

*Our Pick for Best Overall Classic Car Radio

Highlights

• Bluetooth Built-In
• 5 Ch. Pre-Outs w/ Subwoofer Control
• 7 Color LCD Display
• Working Rear Knobs
• AM/FM Digital Tuner w/ AUX

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*Our Pick for Most Original Looking Radio

Highlights

• Looks Nearly Identical to the Original
• Bluetooth Built-In
• Working, Mechanical Pushbuttons
• AM/FM Digital Tuner
• AUX Input

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Highlights

• AM/FM Digital Tuner
• AUX Input
• "Fills the Hole"

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*Our Pick for Most Original Looking Radio for Less

Highlights

• "Trap Door" Digital Display
• Built-in Bluetooth
• AM/FM Digital Tuner
• USB Port
• Option to Add a CD Player (Sold Separately)
• Limited Applications

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Highlights

• USB Port
• Option to Add Bluetooth with BluKit (Sold Separately)
• Option to Add CD-1 External CD Player
• Officially Licensed GM & Ford Logo
• AM/FM Digital Tuner with AUX

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Highlights

• "Black Box" Radio w/ 2" x 5" x 1" LCD Display
• Display Mounts with a Bracket or Flush Mount Bezel Included
• AM/FM Digital Tuner
• Bluetooth Built In
• USB Port
• Option to Add a CD Player (Sold Separately)
• Hockey Puck Style Remote Included

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Which Classic Car Radio is Right for You?

The above chart details the different features for each radio. There are several factors to consider and it isn't always black and white as to which one is best. However, we have created some questions that you can answer to help determine the best radio for your vehicle and your application.

How Important is Bluetooth to You?

Bluetooth is the new standard for car audio. All of the classic car radios either come with Bluetooth or can have Bluetooth added on. However, you may not feel you need built-in Bluetooth on a classic car that is rarely driven.

The OE Replica, USA-740, Slidebar, and SST-V radios include built-in Bluetooth for making hands-free calls and for streaming music.

For the USA-630 the BluKit can be added and it supports hands-free calling and music streaming.

For the USA-230 the CCS12V-BT can be added. It supports music streaming, but it does not support hands-free calling.

How Original Does it Have to Look?

Are you buidling a Concours vehicle and making sure that every detail looks exactly as it did when it left the showroom? Or, are you just picky and you want it to look like the original radio that came in the car, regardless of what has or has not been customized? If it HAS to be original, the Antique Automobile Radio OE Replica radios are probably your best bet. These radios are not available for every vehicle, but they have something that will fit in many of the most popular classic cars. The attention detail however, comes at a price.

If the price point of the AAR radios is too steep for your budget, check out the Custom Autosound Slidebar radios. These radios are designed to look pretty close to original. The Slidebar radios have the slidebar (hence the name) that was originally used to switch between AM and FM. But, with these radios, that bar actuates a trap door, false-front, analog display that disappears to show you the modern, LCD screen. The Slidebar radios are not made to the exacting detail as the OE Replica radios, but they are also significantly less expensive.

Do You Need a USB Port?

If you want and need a USB port to charge your phone or to play songs off of a thumb drive, the Custom Autosound USA-740, USA-630, and Slidebar radios are your best options. The USA-230 does not come with a USB port and the AAR OE Replica radios do not have USB. Please Note - the USB port on the Custom Autosound radios will not play the music on your iPhone or Android. That is best handled via Bluetooth or AUX. However, it will charge your phone.

Do You Want to Play CDs?

None of the radios we sell include a CD player. However, we do offer the CD-1 add-on CD player that can be connected to the USA-740, USA-630, Slidebar, or SST-V radios. It cannot be connected to the USA-230 or the OE Replica radios.

How Much Do You Care About Sound Quality?

If you really care about sound quality, you should probably get an amplifier. But, if that isn't in the cards, there is a power difference between the USA-230 and all of the other radios. The USA-230 power output is 200 watts peak while all the other models put out 45W RMS. So, if you want it to sound good, get an amp. If you don't want to, or can't get an amp, don't get the USA-230. You won't get enough power from the USA-230.

Do You Need the GM or Ford Logo?

If you are thinking of buying the AAR OE Replica radio, skip this section. It doesn't pertain to you. If you are thinking about a Custom Autosound Radio, the USA-230 and the USA-630 both come with either a GM or Ford officially licensed logo on the radio. The USA-740 and the Slidebar radio do not have the logo badge. If you absolutely want or need that logo, go with the USA-230 or the USA-630. In our opinion, the USA-740 radio and the Slidebar radio are better products, but they don't have the logo.

Do You Want to Match Your Digital Gauges or Car Color?

If you want your radio to match your digital gauges' color or the color of your vehicle, the USA-740 or the Slidebar radios are the way to go. The USA-230 and the USA-630 have a negative LCD screen with a black (or very dark green) background with white LCD letters and numbers. With the USA-740 and the Slidebar radio, you can choose between 7 different colors, red, blue, white, green, cyan, magenta, and orange. The LCD color is purely an aesthetic choice. The higher-end radios have this feature; the lower end radios don't. The AAR radios illuminate in the color that the radio lit up originally.

What is Your Timeframe?

This question only applies if the AAR or Custom Autosound radios are out of stock. But, if you need a radio soon and the AAR radio is out of stock, you may not get it in time. The lead times for AAR radios can run six months or longer. It would be best if you went with a Custom Autosound radio.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the decision of which classic car radio to buy hinges on individual preferences such as budget, the importance of key features, and the desire for an original look. Whether pursuing concours restorations, original appearances, or modern conveniences, the diverse range of classic car radios ensures there is a suitable option for every enthusiast. If you need additional information or help buying your classic car radio, we are here to help! Contact us using the links listed below.

Tips Before Installation

1. Bench Test Your Radio

All of our radios are tested before they leave the factory. However, SHIP HAPPENS. During the shipping process, your radio may fall 3 feet on the conveyor belt and there is a chance that a small, but dense, say 20 lb package could fall directly on top of that. We try to protect the packages as best as possible without going to the extreme, but radios do get damaged in shipping. It has happened and will likely continue to happen. In order to make sure your radio works out of the box, we recommend bench testing it. To bench test your radio, take the following steps:

A. Unpack the radio

B. Connect the power harness to the back of the radio

C. You must connect both the B+ and ACC wire to the positive side of your battery, jump starter, or any other 12V source

D. Connect the black, ground wire to the negative side of your battery, 12V source

E. Press the left tuner shaft knob in

F. The radio should light up. If it doesn't, make sure that you have all three wires connected properly

G. If it still doesn't light up, it means something went bad in the shipping process and we can replace your radio for you

2. Test Your Speaker Connections

Before connecting your speaker wires to the speaker wire harness, make sure you have a good connection running through your vehicle. The easiest way to do this is with a AA battery.

A. Touch the + speaker wire to the positive side of the battery

B. Touch the - speaker wire to the negative side of the battery

You should hear a slight "Pop" sound when contact is made to both + and -. If this happens, then you have good speaker connections and you can connect the speaker wires to the speaker wire harness that is included with the radio. If you do not hear a pop, double check the connections on the speaker itself. Our radios are designed to work on 4 ohm stereos and they do not operate with common ground speakers (speakers where the negative wire goes to the body).

3. Do Not Over-Tighten The Shaft Nuts

One of the easiest ways to ensure that your radio never turns on is by over-tightening the nuts on each tuner shaft. The tuner shafts are made from pot metal. If you over tighten the nut, it will crush the pot metal and the tuner shaft will stop working properly. When this happens, there are three likely outcomes.

A. The radio will not power on

B. The volume will jump when turning it up or down

C. The right station tuning shaft will jump all over the place when trying to tune to a station

4. Use Connectors with A Proper Crimp

There is no reason to twist wires and use electrical tape. Do not use wire nuts.  Wire nuts are good for your house which doesn't vibrate when it goes down the road.  The connection will go bad or come undone and when it does, it will likely short out the radio. For a couple of dollars, don't be lazy. Get some butt connectors and ensure that you have a good crimp on both ends.