Is there a mod for a Wonderbar radio for my 66 Toronado?

[762]

I just bought a 66 Toronado and she's in great shape, but the radio doesn't work (might be a fuse, haven't had time to track it down yet)

I'd like to strip everything out of the radio except the shell and put a modern car stereo inside it so looks factory but has all the modern features.

Has anyone tried to do this? There must be someone who has done this mod.

[Twilight Fenrir]

I know there are companies out there that will do so with any radio you send them. So it's certainly done. I have no idea how to go about it personally, I'm not an electronics tech

[762]

That's good to know.
Do you know the company name? I'd like to know how much they charge for the service.

Thanks.

[Twilight Fenrir]

I didn't save the sites, there were several though. About $300 IIRC. I'll look em up again when I get home.

[hbarbee]

I would suggest that you look at www.retrosoundusa.com. It will fit in place of the factory unit or if you want to keep the non-working unit in place, the retrosound can be mounted hidden anywhere in the car and controlled by an rf remote. I installed it myself as a replacement for the original in a 69 and it works fine. It has all the features that you could want. No CD, but a USB input which is even better.

[MCKINLM]

I used Electro-Tech (http://www.turnswitch.com/radio1.htm) to fully restore my Wonderbar. I also bought the front and rear speakers from them. The are drop in replacements but have modern magnets/cones.

The work was VERY reasonable, they were easy to work with, prompt with communications and completing the work and the radio works like new...as far as my test hookup went anyway. I did not want to fully install it as the car was due for a new windshield, repaint, etc but I connected everything with the radio just on the floor and was very pleased with the result. All buttons work freely now, the wonderbar scans (WAY cool) and the signal is strong.

They also do full conversions of radios to modern electronics and probably offer underdash hookups for iPods. Just contact them and they can fill you in.

Hope this helps.

Mike