65 Radio options

[Buicknut65]

I'm wanting to put a clean radio in my 65 Gran Sport convertible . I'd like it to be blue tooth and if dash unit be able to put 65 knobs . Ideas please , thanks

[gssizzler]

RediRad fm converter works off of original am have one love it! Is a old iPod for music!

[GS66]

I send my radios to Jim in AZ. He can install FM, Bluetooth, etc on your stock AM radio so all look original. I just had Bluetooth added to my factory 66 AM/FM GS radios too.

[Jimbo]

I have a Custom Autosound USA-740
 https://customautosoundmfg.com/results?autoMake=buick&autoModel=all-buicks&autoYear=1965
Yes you can use the original knobs with a modification on the rear knobs. You have to grind out some of the back side to get them to sit closer to the dash.
The radio sounds great and the bluetooth works flawlessly. I stream SiriusXM from my phone and used a thumb drive, also comes with a mic for phone calls. ( I did not install the mic)

[elagache]

Dear Buicknut65, Jon, Jim, Jim, and mid-60s Buick caregivers with a ear to nice tunes!

I'm wanting to put a clean radio in my 65 Gran Sport convertible . I'd like it to be blue tooth and if dash unit be able to put 65 knobs . Ideas please , thanks

All the suggestions so far offered are good ones.  My trusty wagon has a Custom Autosound 630 with the Bluetooth module.  I customized it to look much more like the Buick AM radio.  The modifications are described here:

http://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,3906.msg27658.html#msg27658

The only serious downside is that I haven't found a way to get the Bluetooth interface to start playing music except to press start on my smart phone.  Which is why I have an itch to upgrade to the Custom Autosound 740.  Which leads to my question:

I have a Custom Autosound USA-740
 https://customautosoundmfg.com/results?autoMake=buick&autoModel=all-buicks&autoYear=1965
Yes you can use the original knobs with a modification on the rear knobs. You have to grind out some of the back side to get them to sit closer to the dash.
The radio sounds great and the bluetooth works flawlessly. I stream SiriusXM from my phone and used a thumb drive, also comes with a mic for phone calls. ( I did not install the mic)

It is probably an impossible question to answer, but do the buttons look similar or different from the 630?  I would love to upgrade to this stereo, but I want to keep my black buttons spelling out BUICK.  I think I'm going to just have to ask a dealer to inquire with the folks at Custom Autosound to see if the buttons from the 630 could be swapped onto the 740.

Thanks folks for sharing this useful information! 

Cheers, Edouard 

[bbbbuick]

FWIW, I went a different direction from the CA products as an alternative. I decided I wanted to keep the original AM unit for looks so I went with a BT/usb Pioneer unit that is super slim. I modified an under-dash mount and placed the whole thing behind the dash panel. You can only see the unit if you look up from the floorboards. I control it via the supplied remote. BT from phone works perfectly and it came with a mount that fit perfectly in a rear cutout in the glovebox for USB stick and 1/8" stereo jack. Since I'm topless I went with some waterproof marine speakers that I tucked under the dash as well and another set that sit on the floor behind the front seats on some foam wedges I fabbed up. I also tucked a low-profile sub under the passenger seat. The sound is awesome and you can't see a thing when you look into the car, except for the rear speakers. No holes drilled, no cutting.

[elagache]

Dear Elvin and mid-60s Buick caregivers with audiophile tastes,

FWIW, I went a different direction from the CA products as an alternative.
. . . .

Thanks for sharing!  I never thought about trying to tuck modern components behind the scenes like that.  You've done a nice job and with Bluetooth, you don't need to make many adjustments to components anyway.  Nice scheme!

It just occurred to me, there was two competitors to Custom Autosound.  One is RetroSound:

https://www.retromanufacturing.com/

The other is Ken Harrison radio.  However, their website has lapsed so company may no longer exist.

I don't know anything about either competitor, but it is useful to be aware of your options.

Cheers, Edouard 

[bbbbuick]

I forgot to add one very critical element. If you're unit is a high power version, or if you add any additional amplifiers make sure you check your alternator output is sufficient. I overlooked that part and stalled the car in the middle of town.

[Buicknut65]

Thanks everyone really gave me some awesome options . I've been thinking of making a tissue box flip down and mounting a head unit hidden in it as well . Few people said just use hidden unit for blue tooth .
My hardtop i had an eq in glove box with wire running to ash trey just pulled in and went but i want wireless .