Removing 328 Radio. Options? | FerrariChat

Removing 328 Radio. Options?

Discussion in '308/328' started by mike996, Apr 7, 2018.

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  1. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

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    #1 mike996, Apr 7, 2018
    Hi Guys, yesterday on the first leg (700 miles) of our 1600 mile drive to TX I again discovered how useless TO ME a radio is in these cars. So I plan to remove it after we get to TX. I was first going to just make a blanking plate like the OEM setup but then got to thinking about some sort of tray or other "junk holder." Any ideas or suggestions for this?
     
  2. Brian A

    Brian A F1 Rookie

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    #2 Brian A, Apr 7, 2018
    Volt meter? Outdoor temperature display? Radar detector? Mini-fridge?
     
  3. sixcarbs

    sixcarbs F1 Veteran
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    #3 sixcarbs, Apr 7, 2018
    Well this is how they came form the factory in the U.S. All radios were dealer installed, even if they came pre-wired with speakers and an antenna. My 328 never had one, just this leather covered plate.

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  4. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

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    #4 mike996, Apr 7, 2018
    Yes, and that cover plate is what I was thinking of making. But I thought maybe there were some little trays or similar to fit in that space to provide something useable for tossing small items into.
     
  5. speedcat

    speedcat Karting

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    #5 speedcat, Apr 7, 2018
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  6. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

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    #6 mike996, Apr 7, 2018
    THANKS! :)
     
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  7. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 Dr Tommy Cosgrove, Apr 8, 2018
    What about just leave the radio there and not use it?

    Seems like that would look better than a junk compartment full of stuff
     
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  8. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

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    #8 mike996, Apr 9, 2018
    Well..
    The radio looks pretty bad - modern, blue lights, etc... ;) The blanking plate would look a lot better. So would a period-correct unit but I don't see any point in trying to find something since I don't find a radio useful in the car.

    You are right though, a tray full of junk wouldn't look very good either unless I tossed a couple of Rolex watches in it! So now I just need to spend 10 bucks on a tray and 10k on a couple of (cheap) Rolex watches. Hmm, even by Ferrari parts standards, that sounds dumb (even if I could afford it)! :)

    Blanking plate sounding better and would take nothing to make. I have some genuine fake leather laying around that looks pretty much like the dash material...
     
  9. dinonz308

    dinonz308 Formula Junior
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    #9 dinonz308, Apr 9, 2018
    If you're prepared to use genuine fake leather, why not buy some genuine fake Rolexes for that tray? ;)
     
  10. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

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    #10 mike996, Apr 9, 2018
    Hey, THERE's an idea! A guy I used to work with bought a fake Rolex President on the street in NYC every few years - 35 bucks. You couldn't tell it wasn't real unless you held it in your hand - very light and the second hand moved once per second.
     
  11. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

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    #11 mike996, Apr 13, 2018
    Re-thinking about changing the radio instead of the blanking plate. I have read that Blaupunkt was a common dealer-installed radio for 328s. Would a Becker have been available from US dealers as well? How about Grundig?
     
  12. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

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    #12 mike996, Apr 15, 2018
    I purchased a Blaupunkt "Montreal" radio w/cassette on Ebay. It should look perfect in the 328 though I don't know if it would have actually been available. It might have been a bit too old. By '89 I assume some car radios would have had CD rather than cassette. I had cars back then but frankly, I don't recall if CD was common in cars by then or not. I'm going to mod the radio and add a bluetooth capability which will not be visible so can just use the iPhone I use for nav for some music as well. OR, I could just record onto some cassettes! :)
     
  13. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
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    #13 thorn, Apr 15, 2018
    Any Blaupunkt or Alpine cassette deck from that era would be appropriate; CD decks were certainly being produced around 1988-89 (though if memory serves, the earliest ones were single-DIN units that did not incorporate a tuner. They were installed paired with a secondary tuner/cassette DIN unit, and almost always required an external amp).

    I think Blaupunkt is the more popular choice for a Ferrari, as Alpine's marking was associated with Lamborghini. Personally I prefer and chose an Alpine unit, and use a cassette adapter for those 12 minutes a year that I want to connect my phone to the audio system. Ebay is a great source for such vintage units of course.
     
  14. thoke

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    #14 thoke, Apr 15, 2018
  15. sidtx

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    #15 sidtx, Apr 15, 2018
    I don't have a 328, I have an 85 Mondial QV. It didn't come from the factory with a radio. However, the original dealership installed an Alpine Cassette deck -- I have the original work order and receipt.

    It doesn't sound anything like a modern stereo, but it sure looks period and looks good. I usually receive positive remarks/comments about it during car shows.

    You can find period radios/cassette decks on Ebay and other sources. Also some neat period posters -- anyone remember the Alpine / Countache advertisement?

    Personally, I think I would rather have a poor sounding, but original looking (period) radio deck, than a block off plate.

    Sid
     
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  16. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

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    #16 mike996, Apr 19, 2018
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2018
    Installed my new (old) Blaupunkt Montreal this morning. Here are the before/after pics. The "after" is MUCH better though I think it's actually too old for an '89 328. Maybe for an '86 but no matter. It sounds OK - as good as the 2015 Sony though it doesn't have an aux input or an input for an SD card or other hi tech froo-fraws. ;)


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  17. sixcarbs

    sixcarbs F1 Veteran
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    #17 sixcarbs, Apr 19, 2018
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  18. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
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    #18 thorn, Apr 19, 2018
    Heck yeah - looks great! See if you can find a generic plastic DIN border/edge... If you can, then remove the "security handle" and close that gap completely.
     
  19. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #19 Dr Tommy Cosgrove, Apr 19, 2018
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  20. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

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    #20 mike996, Apr 19, 2018
    Thanks, Doc; ordered one a couple of minutes ago! :)
     
  21. Rossocorsa1

    Rossocorsa1 F1 Veteran

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    #21 Rossocorsa1, Apr 19, 2018
    If you choose to create a blanking plate, just know the it was covered in the same black vinyl that’s on the dash, not leather.
     
  22. Rossocorsa1

    Rossocorsa1 F1 Veteran

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    #22 Rossocorsa1, Apr 19, 2018
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    This is the original dealer installed Alpine in my 1989 328 GTB. They were also one of the more commonly installed units at the time.
     
  23. jkstevens2

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    #23 jkstevens2, Apr 19, 2018
    If you are taking 1600 mile trips in your 308 congrats to you. How about a pull out cup holder?
     
  24. thorn

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    #24 thorn, Apr 19, 2018
    Ha!... Looks like a 7280? That's the unit I've put in mine.
     
  25. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #25 Dr Tommy Cosgrove, Apr 19, 2018
    Not a bad addition for the money. Works pretty well. I have three.
     
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