1941 Ford Pickup Radio?

[quik]

I've got a 1941 1/2 ton pickup and I've been looking for a radio that would look like it belongs in the truck. Until the other day, I found a picture of the dashboard in a 1941 Ford Pickup that had a radio that looked like it came from the factory. It had a round white face in the center with a black needle to show the frequency and a dial on each side of the face surrounded by a chrome plate. Anybody ever seen one of these? I can't even find a picture on google, let alone find one to buy. Any info is appreciated. Thanks.

Shawn

[quik]

Well, I stand corrected. Here's a pic of the radio. Anybody know where I can find one?

[Fritz]

I saw that same one a while ago online. I saved these pictures of it as well.

[quik]

Originally Posted by Fritz

I saw that same one a while ago online. I saved these pictures of it as well.

Wow, those are perfect. Thanks for posting!

[Bob C]

Looks like that was a Montgomery Wards radio.

[quik]

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Originally Posted by Bob C

Looks like that was a Montgomery Wards radio.

Great find. Since this isn't a Ford radio, I'll have to look for other aftermarket radios that were available at the time.

[CaliforniaBorn36]

I would agree that is aftermarket. If you search something like "Vintage Round automobile Radio head" you will find several. Most have some type of cable to an under dash box. You'll probably need to do some modifications to interface to a newer unit hidden under dash.

Think 1936 Ford radio style. If you could get something like that, at least it would be Ford. Not cheap.

A lot less expensive solution, if you don't need thumping bass...

For my 1936, which actually had a functioning in dash factory unit, I left that alone and just hung a vintage radio looking Bluetooth AM/FM speaker under the dash. That allowed me to play period correct music as well and was under $50 from Amazon

[landshark]

i have a radio that was in my 41 when I got it, Im not going to use it i will post a pic tommorrow

[38 coupe]

I think 1948 was the first time Ford offered a radio in a truck. Any radio you put in the 41 will be aftermarket. I would hang something under the dash or hide it in the glove box before I cut a hole in the dash.

[rawlir]

Radios were not a Period Correct option in 42/47 trucks, I THINK 38 coupe is right.....

[pistonbroke]

With all the new sound bars and cones you can link to your phone why cut up one of the coolest dashboards pickups ever had? Just my opinion, no insult intended. Tim

[TJ]

Are you 12 volt or still 6 volt? If 12 volt there are some small radios that use a flash drive to play music. I put the small Sony in my '40 glove box and down loaded the music to a flash drive. Do not cut a hole in your dash for a radio! There are other options.

[quik]

Originally Posted by pistonbroke

With all the new sound bars and cones you can link to your phone why cut up one of the coolest dashboards pickups ever had? Just my opinion, no insult intended. Tim

Thanks for the info.

No insult taken.

The dashboard in my truck has the ford emblem in the middle. However, behind that emblem is a hole in the shape of a car radio. I guess Ford had the forward thought of leaving a hole for an aftermarket radio in the dash(?).

Of course, my dash could have been replaced during the original restoration and the new panel may have been cut for an aftermarket radio(?).

[sidevalve8ba]

If you are at all like myself then the sound of a lightly muffled flathead is far more entertaining than anything that could come from the speaker of a radio! To each his own though.

[tubman]

I have a good stock deluxe (8 tube) radio for my '51. I had it gone through and put in a new speaker and it sounded great. Unfortunately, in Minnesota, if you don't fancy crop reports or speak Spanish, there is nothing to listen to on the AM band.

[Fritz]

That radio we found definitely looks neat, but the Ford badge still looks better on the dash in my opinion. I didn’t even know radios weren’t an original option in those trucks.

I agree with the previous statement that a Bluetooth speaker works great. Especially on 6v, since you can buy a USB battery pack and charge the speaker, your phone, etc. With all the streaming options on phones, you can get most any radio station through an app.

[quik]

I have a good stock deluxe (8 tube) radio for my '51. I had it gone through and put in a new speaker and it sounded great. Unfortunately, in Minnesota, if you don't fancy crop reports or speak Spanish, there is nothing to listen to on the AM band.

That radio we found definitely looks neat, but the Ford badge still looks better on the dash in my opinion. I didn’t even know radios weren’t an original option in those trucks.

I agree with the previous statement that a Bluetooth speaker works great. Especially on 6v, since you can buy a USB battery pack and charge the speaker, your phone, etc. With all the streaming options on phones, you can get most any radio station through an app.

I've got a really nice Marshall BT speaker, but I'm worried it will "disappear" when the truck is parked.

[Fritz]

Yeah, anti-theft could be a whole new thread. Thankfully, nothing has been taken out of my pickup. Keeping things out of sight helps.