VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 41 Radio

I am looking for advice on a sound system for my 41. I have looked at all the options: Retro Sounds, Classic Radio, overhauled original radio, hide a new system in the glove box, etc. I have found no one who makes an actual replacement. Good quality 41 radios (that could be converted to a modern system start at $250+ dollars. I may just opt to put a new system in the glove box, but I still want to preserve the look and feel of a vintage 40s/50s radio on the dash, even if it is a facade.

My 41 had a 50s era Pontiac AM radio in it that fit the rectangular opening, but new holes had been drilled for the knobs, and a chrome bezel had been hacksawed to fit. This radio was not salvageable, even as a facade, when I pulled the car out of 50-year storage, so I am back to square one.

Radio guys have not been helpful or creative in finding a solution, so I am hoping there are some owners who have tackled this problem. The preferred option would be to find a new replacement that fits the openings, looks vintage, and offers all the modern functionality, including CD and USB. The next best option would be to find a 50s/60s/70s radio/bezel that can be upgraded and made to fit with minimal surgery. The third best option is to go with a vintage looking facade and hide a Best Buy unit somewhere.

Thank for your time and advice.
Don_41

I think this guy may be able to help you. Tayman Electronics I have a couple of unrestored ones if you need a "core".

Don,

First. What you want to do is prohibited by the 1941 Chevrolet Owners Club of America (41COCA).

Second. The three deluxe models that Cheverlot put out for 1941 are perfectly adaquate for entertainment whilst breezing down the highway or sporting around town. If you want CDs and all that stuff, drive your wife's car.

Third. The best sounding radio for 1941 was the eight tube one. The best looking one was the regular 5 tube. And, the most featured one is the 5-band short and AM wave.

Forth. If your dash is damaged by somebody butercering the h--l out of it, then I suggest you get another dash and start over.

Fifth. I think it is either Ray or Toolman (whatever) on chat that fixes radios. Try him if you find one of the originals that don't play.

Sixth. If you insidt on the CD and all the modern gagets then hid them in the trunk. Run speaker wires and put the speakers up under the dash and in the face of the aft position of the rear seat. (what do we call that area anyhow? I forget.)

Seventh. You can tell a 41 radio by the tag on the bottom of it it will say "E-41 or something. The 41 is the year and the letter is the model. 42-48 radios are basicly the same as 41s and will fit the same hole. Face is just a little different.

Eight. If your car is a Master Deluxe, then eitheer don't even put a radio in it or opt for the one that sticks through the hole in the dasy which will accomodate the knobs and all.

I encourage you to go original with the radio stuff but whatever you choose to do, good luck with it.

Charlie

BTW: If the 41COCA really existed it would be a powerful advocate for 1941 Chevrolet having it's own forum on the Chat. Owing to domination thereon by 37-38s is really needed. But who will listen to me. Mercy!

Hello Don,

Do you have a pic of the radio ?? I have what I think is a '40's era radio.

If it's what your looking for, we should talk.

Dave...sorry, I don't have any pictures...I assume you are referring to the Pontiac radio that was in the car. It was a complete disaster snd is long gone. However, the dash is essentially the same configuration as original. the rectangular opening for the radio is original. The only change was made to the location of the knob holes.

Don

Thanks for the help. I will contact the gentleman you mentioned. What is the condition of the radios you have.?
Thanks
Don

It all depends if you are going to keep it 6 volts,if its going to have 12 volts hide a modern system but if its going to stay 6 volts find a working original radio and there are devices made to hook up a MP3 player and similar devices to them. My 37 is 12 volts and I have a modern system in the glove box and working on restoring the head to a aftermarket radio that has a switch to turn on and off the stereo in the glove box and will be lit up so it looks like I have a period radio in it.

Don,
If you would like, I can take some photos of them and Email them to you. I will look them over and let you know. I haven't rebuilt them yet.

Fred

Hello Don,

Actually I meant to ask if you had a pic of the '41 radio so i could compare it to the one I have.

To anyone one out there, is there a way to verify the year of the pre-war Chevrolet radios ??

Fred...thanks. my email is vogtdr@comcast.net

Dave...I have seen photos on ebay of radios claimed to be 41, but I have no point of comparison. As I mentioned initially, my car had been changed when I acquired it in 1963.

Don

dfd37chev,
here is a list of Chev radio model numbers, reproduced with permission from Ray. Radio Reference Guide Do you have a model number on the radio?

Don,
I have made a mistake. I have two radios, model number 985793 and they are listed for 1942, 46 47 and 48 but not 1941. My apologies.

Fred

Hello old216,

There doesn't appear to be any model # but the s/n on an affixed tag starts with C46 and the rest of the s/n is stamped after it. It has 5 buttons and a thumb wheel above those and the speaker is above the thumb wheel.

I apologize if I have side tracked this topic.

Dave,
that is how I would describe the radios that I mentioned in the above post except I do have the model numbers on the tags. Maybe if you could pop the back off, there might be a paper label inside with more information. They usually have the tube layout and the model number on the paper inside.

I'll check it when I get home from work. That is if I can get home. Snowing like crazy here in Massachusettes.

Don 41,
here is a link to a YouTube video of a guy that installed a 1942 Chev radio in his 41. Youtube Radio

This is a good site to use for radio identification. Hope it helps.https://sites.google.com/site/identifyinginstrumentpanels/home/radios-index/radios-chevrolet-page-1

Good morning old216...

Thanks for the link, together with your time and courtesy. I will check it out.
Don

Good morning retiredproject...
Thanks for the constructive feedback. I really appreciate your time and interest. How is the weather up there in Nanook-of-the-North land?
Don

Dave...hope you made it home ok. Ice here in MD...not good for motoring today.

Just wanted to thank you for the time, efforts, and constructive feedback you are providing on my question.

Don

Good morning junkyardjeff...

Thanks for the great feedback on your restoration approach. I really appreciate your time and expertise.

Don

I will post some pics when I get it done.

I couldn't get the link above for the radio faceplate identification to work. Here is a working version, I hope!
Radio Identification

Why install a 1942-48 radio in a 1941 when 1941 radios are plentiful?