Buick36-49 Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Hello All, I was lucky enough to find a 1936 Buick Ranger Radio on eBay. This radio was subjected to a lot of water damage and the elements. I could only image what kind of shape this car was that it came out of. There was bees nest and mud wasps in the radio. The speaker was completely chewed out by mice or some other bug or animal. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p>However, I completely torn it apart and cleaned everything up. I want to put in modern electronics for Ipod and MP3. The knobs and functions of the radio head are in great shape but I need to get new dial glass. I painted most of parts to the original look. However, I did not go with the olive green that was original, but went to the “chrome” look. I think it looks better anyway.<o:p> </o:p>Questions or Comments… <o:p> </o:p>These radios are getting VERY hard to find, and if you do find one its $$$ just for a dead one. I’ve been looking for years, but now $$$ is getting tight, so I can’t afford the $600 to $700 for the antique radio restoration companies, so, I am going to try to rig something up.<o:p> </o:p>Thanks Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Most interesting!! I'll be watching to see what you do with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackofalltrades70 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Nice looking! Waiting for more progress. Can't wait to see either! Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buick36-49 Posted June 10, 2012 Author Share Posted June 10, 2012 Thanks....nice car by the way!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 That's a great rig! How was is mounted in the car? Did the box hang below the dashboard, with the controls and speaker set into the instrument panel? Anyone know what year Buick radios became more built-in and when did they become known as Sonomatic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buick36-49 Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share Posted June 11, 2012 Hello Rob McDonald,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>The Radio Box hung just under the speedometer, while the speaker was mounted in the middle on the firewall similar to the heater. The control head would have sat in the center of the dash. The holes were pre cut. All you had to do was install the radio. (see pics attached.)I think it was 1937 where the speaker, radio controls were all housed in one unit in center of the dash.Thanks for your reply.Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Wow, the under-dash arrangement is a bit hodge-podge but that neat little control unit in the middle of the instrument panel is beautiful. I suppose there was a ribbed blanking panel provided, if a radio wasn't ordered, which was probably more common by far. Car radios were far from cheap in the 1930s.Thanks, I learned something today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buick36-49 Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share Posted June 11, 2012 Hi Ron,Yeah, but also radios in cars back then were just becoming. Prior to 1930s, most radios were either home brewed or aftermarket, but where very huge and ran on their own batteries. It was about the early 1930s where the car manufactures started making “factory radios”. I've posted a link below about early car radios....RobertFIRST CAR RADIO PICTURE,PHOTOGRAPH OF FIRST CAR RADIO 1922,ARTICLE CONCERNING EARLIEST CAR RADIO,1922 ARTICLE CONCERNING FIRST CAR RADIO,EARLY CAR RADIOS,CAR AUDIO OF 1922,AUDIOPHILE OBSESSIONS 1922,CAR INVENTIONS 1922,AUDIOPHILE HISTORY INFORMATION Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buick36-49 Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 Hello All,I have not been working on the radio much due to gas tank issues... but now I have started again. Just bought the dial glass... real cool! See picturesThanksRobert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buick36-49 Posted July 21, 2012 Author Share Posted July 21, 2012 Hello All,</SPAN>Just about finished restoring the 1936 Buick Ranger radio. I could not afford the $700 plus that the professionals wanted, so I bought a 1973 Pontiac Delco radio (still Delco) and used that instead. I had to do some modification to get the radio head to work. However, the Volume and Tuner work with the original cables. I just need to buy the 6 to 12 volt converter and an 8 inch bass speaker. I am actually putting in two speakers, one the bass to look as original and a hidden tweeter speaker. 73 Delco radios only used 2 8 ohm speakers. I am using the original switch to power up the “new” hidden radio. See pictures… </SPAN>Robert</SPAN> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 nice work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buick36-49 Posted July 22, 2012 Author Share Posted July 22, 2012 Thanks, it was a lot of work, but at least I have tunes... and does not sound too bad either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glassesguy Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 Nice work x2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest born2lose Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 where did you find the glass for it im in the same boat i need new glass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buick36-49 Posted July 30, 2012 Author Share Posted July 30, 2012 Hello,I bought the dial glass on Bobsautomobilia.com it cost about $50 plus shipping.Hope this helpsRobertwhere did you find the glass for it im in the same boat i need new glass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buick36-49 Posted July 30, 2012 Author Share Posted July 30, 2012 1936 Buick Radio Complete....Here is a video... Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest born2lose Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 when did you buy it they said they never made them?:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buick36-49 Posted July 31, 2012 Author Share Posted July 31, 2012 Hi I bought the radio glass about 1 month ago from www. Bobsautomobilia.com in California.When I bought the glass I used the item # 1936..... RG-36........... $45.00 and they sent me the exact size and style.Hope this helps….try giving them the # RG-36.Robertwhen did you buy it they said they never made them?:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest born2lose Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 you must of got the last one because he says they dont carry it.... should of got one last month lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buick36-49 Posted August 1, 2012 Author Share Posted August 1, 2012 Ohh wow, that's not cool... I had the problem once with my 1949 Buick. The "Dyna Flow" emblems were not being reproduced anymore...so I spent $350 on NOS that evently turned up.... then they reproduced them again for just over $100. Best luck to you.... maybe try "oldbuickparts.com" they sometimes carry things that bobs don't.Robertyou must of got the last one because he says they dont carry it.... should of got one last month lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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