63 67 new electronic radio conversion kits

[William B.]

I have a 66 vette radio, pic attached, someone long before me has installed an electronic conversion kit, well now the kit has failed, no audio. I am looking for a supplier to purchase a new kit and install it in the radio myself. Does anyone know of a source for the kit or should I just send it to a rebuilder?

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 67 new electronic radio conversion kits

Gary Tayman out of Florida converted my original 63 radio:

http://www.taymanelectrical.com/

He used the Aurora Designs board with everything you could want and with the Bluetooth option you can do hands-free calling, Pandora, Spotify, Amazon Music, navigation, etc.. It passed regional judging too...

[William B.]

Re: 63 67 new electronic radio conversion kits

Thank you for the reply, my question is who sells the conversion kit, so I can install myself?

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 67 new electronic radio conversion kits

Thank you for the reply, my question is who sells the conversion kit, so I can install myself?

Actually the second part of your question was, "...should I just send it to a rebuilder?"
Hence my response above - yes, you should..

However,

This is the list of Aurora Design dealers - some of them may just sell you the circuit board(s), you'd have to call around and check...

http://www.tech-retro.com/Aurora_Design/Auto_Dealers.html

The tricky part IMO is making it work with the electro-mechanical parts of the original radio; e.g. the dial/pushbuttons...and band slider switch.

Here is my 63 radio and it appears there are three separate PCBs involved; this isn't a trivial conversion and unless you have some explicit instructions, soldering/wiring skills and have worked with PCBs before I wouldn't advise doing it yourself..

I don't know what the conversion parts cost, but the cost of labor on top of that to have a pro do it and warranty the results ...is worth it IMO.
My conversion is in its 4th year of trouble-free operation...

[William B.]

Re: 63 67 new electronic radio conversion kits

Frank, Thank you for helping me, I worked at a radio repair shop in my younger days before and after college. Used to repair a lot of wonder bars, Cadillac's were a marvel then, a lot of mechanics, regular radios were easy, BUT parts were all available, now its hard to even find certain transistors.
If I could find the kits available for sale I think it would be a fun challenge

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 67 new electronic radio conversion kits

Frank, Thank you for helping me, I worked at a radio repair shop in my younger days before and after college. Used to repair a lot of wonder bars, Cadillac's were a marvel then, a lot of mechanics, regular radios were easy, BUT parts were all available, now its hard to even find certain transistors.
If I could find the kits available for sale I think it would be a fun challenge

Gary Tayman (mentioned above) is one of the "good guys" -- a call to him might let you know where to get the parts (or he may sell them to you) and he can prob give you some guidance on doing the conversion. Can't hurt to ring him up...