Stupid question of the day...

[Time Machine]

38871

So I've been having this debate with my brother after I bought one of these 3.5mm adapters to connect to my iPhone to the cassette player. He just happens to be an "audio-technician" (fancy title for car stereo installer) and he suggests that I replace it with a new fancy stereo with Pandora and USB. While it would be nice to have those features, I'm kind of concerned about preserving the original radio. His argument is that any aspirations I might have had to own a "collectors car" were thrown out the window when it was painted RED. He has a point, doesn't he?

38872

[Dangermouse]

No reason you can't go back to stainless one day, if you so desire.

Many owners have installed a DIN style radio, it's really up to you. Depends on what you need in terms of audio. You can retrofit the craig with an AUX port, or have someone do it for you. Or just use the adapter you have (which is what I do)


Obviously (or maybe not just yet), you will need to cut a DIN sized hole in the console as yours is presently set up for a post-style radio.

Alternatively you can offer to swap your OEM console for DIN style with someone who want's to go back to a Craig.

Or you can buy a DIN style one from DMCx.

A new stereo will also probably mean new speakers (which may need changed anyway as they dry out over time)

[Jonathan]

Red paint can be removed and so can stereo upgrades. Granted, the stereo is a bit easier with less potential surprises than paint, but you get it.

There's a wide variety of descriptions for what would be considered "stock." I'd probably think of that more than in terms of "collector car."

Did you buy your car as a collection piece or something to use and drive and enjoy? Did you buy your car hoping to please whoever might own it after you?

My advice would be to listen to friend's and family members advice but don't take much of it. Other DeLorean owners have a better chance of being familiar with your situation than some of your friends or family believe it or not. The car ownership part only, of course. No one else knows what's best for you and your car more than you do.

The stereo upgrade could be great for you. Not saying your brother will profit from you putting in a bitchin' stereo, but keep in mind most people in a certain line of work will always promote what they do to others to kind of promote their brand. No bartender is going to care about what you think the downsides to drinking are since his livelihood depends on you coming into the bar. Someone selling herbal supplements is going to keep at you about why you should be eating this way instead of that. If your friend is a dental hygienist, you're going to hear over and over about how frequently you should go in for a cleaning. Yada, yada, yada. If your brother does car audio for a living, he's going to tell you you need a better stereo.

If I were you, I'd get some time and experience driving the car as it is before you decide what to do (if anything) with the stereo. You might find it is just fine the way it is or you just simply like it better keeping it the way it is. If you already have this tape deck adapter, then use it for a while and decide later. I found in the first several years of owning my car I rarely had the stereo on at all, partly because it was originally in crappy condition, but also because I enjoyed listening to the car/road/people on the street and the "holy sh!t, it's a DeLorean" type comments.

[Lou and "Boo"]

You could keep the OEM radio in place for looks and install a new style stereo in the glove box or under the seat. I had a set up that way on my '69 Camaro convertable which had the OEM am radio in the dash. I put a newer style stereo under the dash.

Gotta have good tunes man...

[DMCVegas]

Hmm... What this sounds like to me is this:

You have this classic car. You want a modern radio, but to install one means that you would be modifying the vehicle. But you're afraid to do that because you feel like that would be "ruining" the car, or at least it's "originality" because like most people you want to preserve it (reasons vary). But you really, really want to have a modern radio. So you're fishing around for both approval, as well as a justification to yourself that you can use to overcome the guilt of modifying the vehicle.

I mean, I get it. Modifying ANY classic car is this ridiculous taboo among collectors. But, I'm not going to tell you what you should do. You've just got to do what you want. If replacing the radio is going to cause you guilt, then don't do it. If you DO replace the radio with something modern, the only reason you need to do it is because you want to. And it sure as hell isn't anyone else's business why you're doing it.

Me? I had that center console chopped up long before DMCH had replacements, converted the whole system over to 4-Channel stereo, AND even drilled and mounted speakers in my kick panels as well as a 10-Disc changer up in the trunk.

Why? I need tunes more than I need other people's approval.

[David T]

There is an expensive alternative. There are companies that will alter your old radio so it has all of the functionality of a modern radio but still look like the old, original radio. If you look in Hemmings Motor News under Services Offered-radio, you will find a bunch that offer anything from repair to all kinds of alterations. As mentioned also figure on replacing the speakers and wiring.

[Gregadeth]

You could keep the OEM radio in place for looks and install a new style stereo in the glove box or under the seat. I had a set up that way on my '69 Camaro convertable which had the OEM am radio in the dash. I put a newer style stereo under the dash.

Gotta have good tunes man...I always wondered, with this setup, how do you adjust the volume?

[dodint]

Every after market radio I've purchased since the late-90's has come with a remote control. Which I always found funny given that I have always had small coupes.

[sdg3205]

If you can't find someone locally, you'd be more than welcome to ship me your radio. We can install an aux for modern devices and completely refurbish the cassette deck, displays and other mechanicals. I have two radios in line at the moment, but it's a nice option of you want to stay stock and also enjoy modern devices.

[Tillsy]

He has a point, doesn't he?

A very interesting one... funny how an outsider can sometimes point out something so blindingly obvious.

[AirmanPika]

It doesn't have to stay red...tho you might not like what you find under the paint ;)

http://reimuchan.com/delorean/paintstrip.jpg

[Elvis]

the radios can be updated...

[David T]

If you can't find someone locally, you'd be more than welcome to ship me your radio. We can install an aux for modern devices and completely refurbish the cassette deck, displays and other mechanicals. I have two radios in line at the moment, but it's a nice option of you want to stay stock and also enjoy modern devices.

How much do you get to refurbish the tape deck on the ASI? All of the rubber in mine is bad.