82 Riviera Delco Radio

[John2012]

I have the original radio in my 82 Riviera. It sounds like it might be on its way out. The crackling noise, while intermittent, is still loud even when the volume is turned all the ways down.

 

I would like to stay original. It seems most repair specialists go up to 1981, or the last of the analog radios. Does anybody know of a shop that is proficient at repairing these early digital radios. This is the one where you pull out the knobs to set the station and the seek/scan knobs to reset the clock.

 

Even custom autosound does not have a replacement on their website. I was also wondering if a Eldorado radio would fit in there. Thanks.

 

[J3Studio]

These folks aren't cheap, but they did a lovely job with my 1985 Corvette's Delco-Bose, which had to stay original for judging. They could likely do the same for you:

https://www.doctordons.com/index.html

 

—they list coverage from 1950 to 2004, so you should be okay. A note that there are a lot less folks in the eighties stereo restoration business than there used to be.

Edited December 15, 2020 by J3Studio (see edit history)

[RivNut]

5 hours ago, John2012 said:

I have the original radio in my 82 Riviera. It sounds like it might be on its way out. The crackling noise, while intermittent, is still loud even when the volume is turned all the ways down.

 

I would like to stay original. It seems most repair specialists go up to 1981, or the last of the analog radios. Does anybody know of a shop that is proficient at repairing these early digital radios. This is the one where you pull out the knobs to set the station and the seek/scan knobs to reset the clock.

 

Even custom autosound does not have a replacement on their website. I was also wondering if a Eldorado radio would fit in there. Thanks.

 

Post a picture of it.  I may have a couple you could use to replace it.

[J3Studio]

1 hour ago, RivNut said:

I may have a couple you could use to replace it.

 

That'll work, too …

[Barney Eaton]

I use a one man shop in San Antonio..... he has been in the business for many years,  first working for others, now it is only him. 

I think his prices are quite reasonable.   As the cars get newer, and have custom chips,  he cannot replace those.  

Give him a call,  tell him what you have and he will give you a straight answer. 

Precision Radio.....  210-979-0905

[John2012]

[meteor]

I have the same issue with my 82. However if I turn the volume up and down it goes away.

The volume control may need some cleaning.

[J3Studio]

18 minutes ago, meteor said:

I have the same issue with my 82. However if I turn the volume up and down it goes away.

The volume control may need some cleaning.

 

I have found contact cleaner to help if things aren't too bad. Past a certain point, though, you are likely looking at multiple issues.

[RivNut]

3 hours ago, John2012 said:

I didn't realize that the '82 and '85 radios were a different style. The radios I have are like this one.

[John2012]

9 hours ago, RivNut said:

I didn't realize that the '82 and '85 radios were a different style. The radios I have are like this one.

Thanks for checking. Those radios are for 83, 84, and 85. 

[dship]

The style difference was in the available radio option the car buyer selected when ordering their 6th generation Riviera...example Boise or non-Boise radio.

[J3Studio]

The Bose first appeared in the 1983 model, and was a big deal—the first decent factory stereo. There's a great article on it here:

 

https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-delco-gm-bose-sound-system-gms-greatest-hit-of-the-1980s/

[John2012]

I always think of the early 80's is the decade that turned the corner on high quality sound systems and electric accessories.  

[RivNut]

I have a few of the 83 - 85 radios. From a basic AM/FM to the higher end AM/FM with cassette and 5 band equalizer.  Very much like the radios in my 90 and 93 but I don't know if they're interchangeable; but no Bose. Pretty much a GM unit that was used by all divisions, no mention of division name on the faceplate.