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ThomP

Jedi Warrior
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The sound of my BJ8 is enough for me. Sorry I can't help with the "tunes" dilema
 
I think there is a generation gap problem here. It kind of showed up in the CD discussion also.
D

[ 02-10-2004: Message edited by: Dave Russell ]</p>
 
I enjoy music as much as the next guy, but a 100 watt CD unit in a Healey makes as much sense as installing the same unit in a sailboat. Certainly can be done, but what is the point. It is the sounds of the vehicle in motion that makes it experience special.
 
Hello Group: my bj8 restoration is almost complete and I plan to replace the existing Alpine cassette receiver. Has anyone installed a USA-6 Custom Autosound receiver/cd controller? I am torn between a period correct Blaupunkt Frankfurt radio (mint at $300) and the USA-6 with 100w RMS. Thanking you in advance.

[ 02-10-2004: Message edited by: richard s ]</p>
 
I'm going to enter into dangerous territory and disagree with Dave Russell! I don't think it is a generation gap but rather simply how much one likes to listen to music while driving. Although I have a large-bore side-exhaust I still like to hear the tunes that I prefer, esp. when driving alone on the road. That requires good speakers that can take some volume without distortion or breaking down and I have two under the dash of my car and two more in the kick panels--fairly unobtrusive though definitely visible and if originality is a concern then don't go here.

After several attempts at mounting the radio, etc. on both the tunnel and parcel shelf, both of which looked way wrong, I settled on a Sony radio and 6-CD shuttle combo that is installed in the boot in the litle nook to the left of the spare and is controlled from the cockpit by a hard-wired "joystick" type control--sorry that I do not have the model numbers available but a search of Sony's website will reveal it. I also have an XM receiver running through the radio and the controller for it along with the radio are both mounted under the dash on the heaer face with velcro, are hardly visible to the casual observer and yet fall easily to hand.

I must say that at speeds above 70 or so mph it helps to know the name of the song to which I am listening....
 
I agree with Michael that is it not generational: to prove the point I owned a quite used and tattered 100-6 in 1963. I agree that one can barely think straight in a healey but I enjoy music as an "accompaniment" to tappets, gear whine and exhaust. Wattage does not equate loudness but dynamic range in music. The issue of authenticity is a valid topic of conversation, no? Why do you suppose this topic got people who are ordinarily objective so upset?
 
Ouch!

However; My daily driver has 400 watts and Alison Audio subwoofers!

I just LIKE the sound of the Healey. I can't imagine putting something in the car to compete with that. The daily driver needs the sound to drowned out the surrounding noise. (especially those "#@$& kids:" playing that thumpa-thumpa junk!) ;>}
 
You're right. That sound is intoxicating. I can always turn the music off but I can't turn it on if it isn't there in the first place. The purist approach is either no radio or a period piece: that's why I asked about a Blaupunkt Frankfurt (unless a German radio in a Brit auto is ideologically incorrect). My wife is in favor of a period correct radio; I think she is right.
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Michael Oritt:

I must say that at speeds above 70 or so mph it helps to know the name of the song to which I am listening....<hr></blockquote>
Why not just wear headphones, or plugs. For that matter, if you really want to hear the CD, put on a rear exit exhaust.
D
 
Dave: i don't think it has to be an either/or proposition. I respect the purist approach. In my view the BJ8 console doesn't look complete with the 3000 blanking plate; better a rule dial and chrome knobs.
 
Hi, Guys (and gals, too) I have been lurking lately and haven't put my two cents in for quite a while. In regard to the radio: I put in a recent model AM/FM/CD player radio a few years ago. However, I have yet to listen to a CD and only rarely (actually, just to make sure it worked) listened to the radio while driving the beast. I love the gears, tappets, exhaust, etc. when I drive the car too much, I guess! I suppose if I were to give advice, I would say to put in a period radio if you want appearance more than performance and go for the state of the art if you actually plan to listen to the thing. Hope all of you are having fun with your winter projects - I sure am! STever
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Michael Oritt:
Wearing earphones or plugs would be illegal.
Putting on a longer exhaust would be immoral.<hr></blockquote>
You left out fattening.
D
 
Here's input from a Jensen Healey guy. My JH has an upgraded cd player/AM/FM crudely installed (looks like it was cut into the dash with a chain saw) in the proper place, and it currently doesn't work! The good news is I don't care! I like to hear the sound of that little Lotus 907 revving in the 5,000 to 7,000 RPM range going through the gears when driving on the back county roads and even on the freeway.

Actually I'm more afraid of gawkier and Asians driving their BMWs and Mercedes than my need for sounds. I like the idea of Hella 118 db horns to wake the dead! That’s good music too.

CD player/AM/FM who needs it? The radio will be the last item fixed or repaired on my car.


Besides if I need sounds, what's a small Boom Box for anyway. LOL
 
Wearing earphones or plugs would be illegal.
Putting on a longer exhaust would be immoral.
 
I guess it's time for my two cents in this discussion ... I agree with Stever. I have an AM/FM in by BJ8 with twin speakers that were mounted on the kick panels. I say "were" because I'm redoing the interior this winter and I'm thinking about not putting them back. I too only used the radio to see if it still worked, I love the sound of the car and wind! The bottom line is whatever is right for you IS the right thing to do. After all, we aren't normal, we've British sports car nuts!
 
richard s

Now that you've heard from "us" aka "the peanut gallery". The bottom line is that it is your car do what works for YOU.

Cheers
 
Thanks to all for your comments. Actually I never asked whether or not I should install a radio; I planned to do that all along but I respect and understand why some or many would opt for the sound of the machine. I'll try to be less provocative in the furture. At any rate, tomorrow I get to see the beast; newly painted BRG, new chrome and the beginnings (I hope) of a totally restored as original interior. Have a safe holiday
 
Prior to launching in a full restoration there was some discussion with my spouse on installing some type of music player in the car. Kind of after I should put in seat belts or not. So far I've decided against both. One I figured I'd have to convert to negative ground, the other I'd have to drill mounting holes etc. I don't think Missouri requires seat belts to be installed on cars that didn't offer them originally. I know sounds foolish, but considering this car has been driven quite a bit (89,000) miles already without either I'm not going to change things now.
driving.gif
 
Much like Johnny, my bride asked/inquired (really suggested)about putting "music" into the equation early on in our Healey days. Like any good husband, I looked at options which did not lose any of the originality of the Healey, yet accomplished her wishes. To date, the Healey rumble is still all the music I/we/she needs. But if that changes I will give consideration to trying to accomplish both. The attached is the direction I was considering when this was a more serious request from here.

https://www.antiqueautomobileradio.com/
 
Maybe its the generation that I was raised in, but radio is an intragal part of a motoring experience to me.

That Healey sound is wonderful, but my road time is almost only time that I can listen to music that is not The Wiggles or Barney (my 22 month old daughter loves them).

I want to install a radio in the 100-6 but am unsure where to install it. I asked a couple of months ago where the dealer option radios were placed, but didn't get any answers.

What I want to do is get as old of an AM/FM that I can find then add a hidden CD player through the FM input. The question remains where to mount the radio. Any ideas for something that will look like it is from the period?

Patton
 
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