I have installed a Vintage Air conversion in non A/C car & when we tried to return the original AM radio into it's mounting position, the Vintage Air was too close to the dash to let the radio turn up into where it belongs. We thought about loosening the Vintage Air mountings to get the extra part of an inch clearance (there's some space between the Air & firewall) but even if we get the radio in - the antenna plug in is pointed at the least space available for it so it would probably not fit.

Any experience with this combination - or do I just have to look for a replacement radio that requires less real estate? I was planning on retaining my original radio - philosophy of restoring one owner car, but also planning for a future hidden radio.

Suggestions please - Thanks

Glad you brought this to my attention, as vintage air is a dream of mine. I guess I'll look for a radio delete plate and the hiddein Ipod connection.

Jeff

I will keep a eye on this post.I'am installing va now,and it looks like it will be a tight fit.

I can only speak to a 69, but I just finished my VA and installed a CD/IPOD player in the stock location with no issues.

Thanks for responses, Jeff, carhodge, & Marc. Marc, I bet your new design player isn't as large as the original AM radio - 7 3/4 " deep from the dash mounting screw hole & 3 3/8 high. I'll probably have to look for a new system. Are there any that achieve the original 'look'?

I would say if your AM radio is non-working, "modify" it to fit if you're just wanting the "look"; but since there's only so many of them out there, I'm sure others might cringe at modifying it.

However, if it's working and you plan to use it, then it's not such a good idea.

Christopher, it was working when I parked the car years ago - did not have antenna hooked up before starting restoration last summer. Realizing the scarcity of original stuff, i'm hesitant to modify it. Will have to go shopping.

Wilson- you are right. I went with a new Alpine deck. Call it heresy, but I had no qualms about cutting out the original radio hole. I like my tunes.

Wilson- you are right. I went with a new Alpine deck. Call it heresy, but I had no qualms about cutting out the original radio hole. I like my tunes.

At least that's not as bad as what I want to do... RF transmitter and push-button start. But I won't... because it would be raping a classic... :(

I wouldn't say that an aftermarket stereo is heresy, as long as it is done nicely. I would personally install a hidden ipod connection instead like previously mentioned. Then again, I stripped the stereo and speakers out of my car completely which can get on people's nerves too because it didn't come from the factory that way.