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MG MGB Technical - Car radio repair and restoration

Hello all,

So a not so technical question here!

I like to keep my cars fairly original, and have always kept an eye out for an original BMC AM radio for my 65 mgb roadster.

Well, not only did I find one in good shape (plastic dial and buttons almost as new) and complete, but I also found a British Leyland AM/FM one for my later BGT also in near perfect shape!! And for $5 each!!!!!

So, has anyone had any experience with radio repair and restoration??

For these 2 radios, I would consider having them upgraded to allow for a USB or bluetooth setup if they truly maintain their original appearance.

I also have a third radio, for my Rover, that is an early 90s am/fm/cassette that looks as new but that I shorted out (diagram for the missing wiring harness online was, well, wrong!). This one I want repaired only.

Any recommendations for places that others have used?

Thanks,
Julian
Julian Dufour

Julian, I too like to keep my two MG's"fairly original". Having owned my own 1965 MGB for just short of 53 years (and 250,000 miles), it just wouldn't 'feel right' any other way.

For our Australian MGB's (and Australian BMC cars generally), the top of the line radio fitted by the dealers was the 'Astor Diamond Dot' radio.
I spent a considerable length of time looking for a decent used example.
In the end, I bought a modern radio fitted with a reproduction of the fascia of the original. The effect is close to indistinguishable from the original other than the control knobs. Yet despite the original appearance, I have the benefits of:
Hands Free phone use via Bluetooth
AM
FM
DAB
USB port input
And, importantly, significantly superior sound to the original, using a single modern high performance speaker, in the original location, designed for use with a stereo input.

My supplier was Classic Autosound here in Australia who uses components from Retrosound USA.
https://www.retrosoundusa.com.au

Here's a BMC AM radio version that probably resembles your original radio off the Classic Autosound web site:
https://www.retrosoundusa.com.au/index.php?l=product_detail&p=952






T Aczel

This thread was discussed between 31/10/2022 and 01/11/2022

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