The Ford Barn

56sedandelivery · 10-14-2019, 10:32 AM

So looking to get a upgraded stereo for my 56 sedan delivery. I know that custom auto sound makes one but the reviews on amazon are not good. Anyone have experience with them or know another that will fit and look original?

bfdinardo · 10-15-2019, 01:48 PM

Yes, I have a USA-230 model from them and it was a quick install, fit fine, and works well. No issues to report and it's been over a year.

miker98038 · 10-15-2019, 02:40 PM

I’ve had 4 custom autosounds over the years, two now. One got sold with the car, one failed early and the local dealer replaced it at a large discount. I find the LED readout difficult to see, and the push pull controls confusing to remember. I shut the battery off in the cars, and the old ones don’t carry the memory over. But I’ve not found any replacements that weren’t a lot of money.

Expensive ones http://www.antiqueautomobileradio.com/

Sit down before you open the price sheet.

Daves55Sedan · 10-15-2019, 04:47 PM

My '55 Courier had the big round factory radio delete plate made of plastic. After refinishing the dash, I cleaned and painted the delete plate the same color as the dash. I had converted my Courier to 12-volts just so I could have a modern stereo. I bought an el-cheapo $17 AM/FM/cassette car stereo with two round speakers in the kit. (That was back around 1998-2000). I installed the speakers in the wood panels right behind the doors on each side. Was planning to mount the radio under the dash, but didn't have room because I added a bunch of other controls down there for rear window defroster, power antennae, under-dash lights, power windshield washer and one blank, all using spare '55 knobs and bezels.
But there was a rectangular hole cutout (done by a previous owner) in the passenger/cargo divider metal panel right in the middle above the transmission hump. I made a metal panel with hole cutouts to match the front face of the radio and knobs and welded it into that hole. It is not easily accessible there, but I never have passengers and usually just leave the radio on the same station anyway. I could have put a remote on/off switch in that blank under the dash and just left the radio on button on all the time, but never did. It's not that great having to get out of the car and reach down behind the seat to turn the radio on and off. The cheap radio still sounds real good.

okiedokie · 10-31-2019, 09:01 AM

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I am on my fourth Custom Auto sound so that should tell you something. I will say that the last two, which are their Secret Audio versions, are better than the first two. But the first two worked fine.

10-14-2019, 10:32 AM	#1
56sedandelivery Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Arkansas Posts: 525	56 stereo So looking to get a upgraded stereo for my 56 sedan delivery. I know that custom auto sound makes one but the reviews on amazon are not good. Anyone have experience with them or know another that will fit and look original?

10-15-2019, 01:48 PM	#2
bfdinardo Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 64	Re: 56 stereo Yes, I have a USA-230 model from them and it was a quick install, fit fine, and works well. No issues to report and it's been over a year.

10-15-2019, 02:40 PM	#3
miker98038 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kent, WA. Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,397	Re: 56 stereo I’ve had 4 custom autosounds over the years, two now. One got sold with the car, one failed early and the local dealer replaced it at a large discount. I find the LED readout difficult to see, and the push pull controls confusing to remember. I shut the battery off in the cars, and the old ones don’t carry the memory over. But I’ve not found any replacements that weren’t a lot of money. Expensive ones http://www.antiqueautomobileradio.com/ Sit down before you open the price sheet.

10-15-2019, 04:47 PM	#4
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: 56 stereo My '55 Courier had the big round factory radio delete plate made of plastic. After refinishing the dash, I cleaned and painted the delete plate the same color as the dash. I had converted my Courier to 12-volts just so I could have a modern stereo. I bought an el-cheapo $17 AM/FM/cassette car stereo with two round speakers in the kit. (That was back around 1998-2000). I installed the speakers in the wood panels right behind the doors on each side. Was planning to mount the radio under the dash, but didn't have room because I added a bunch of other controls down there for rear window defroster, power antennae, under-dash lights, power windshield washer and one blank, all using spare '55 knobs and bezels. But there was a rectangular hole cutout (done by a previous owner) in the passenger/cargo divider metal panel right in the middle above the transmission hump. I made a metal panel with hole cutouts to match the front face of the radio and knobs and welded it into that hole. It is not easily accessible there, but I never have passengers and usually just leave the radio on the same station anyway. I could have put a remote on/off switch in that blank under the dash and just left the radio on button on all the time, but never did. It's not that great having to get out of the car and reach down behind the seat to turn the radio on and off. The cheap radio still sounds real good.

10-31-2019, 09:01 AM	#5
okiedokie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tulsa Ok Posts: 516	Re: 56 stereo Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I am on my fourth Custom Auto sound so that should tell you something. I will say that the last two, which are their Secret Audio versions, are better than the first two. But the first two worked fine.