Cord Radios

Hi Bill,
I remember your search for the Philco and am very glad you found what sounds like a beauty.

I know your car and I think it is a great conversion and love it as it is.
The radio has already been converted to twelve volts!

Just install it and enjoy the glow of the tubes and jam to the XM while doing freeway speeds and not worrying if the wheels are going to fall off an ol' jalopy with no power brakes <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> happy motoring,

your friend balin'

samsonized wrote: are you front or rear drive is is a steel or glass body

My Cord Cabriolet is an original steel-bodied 1936 Cord. Sometime in the 1970's a previous owner converted it to rear-drive and added an Olds 455 engine.

Apparently there was a lot of conversions done in the 60's and 70's. The cars were wearing out and the Internet was not around and communication with the Car Clubs was not as widespread.

One of the magazines, perhaps Popular Mechanics, ran articles on how to convert front-drive Cords to rear-drive. It was simply an attempt for car owners to save their cars.

I can't blame this owner for trying to save his Cord. What I can't forgive him for, is the cheezy vinyl interior he put in. I think he was planning to hot-rod the car.

As I have said on numerous occasions, my plans are to take this car back to original condition. In 18 months, I have spent many thousands of $$$ (as a lot of ACD members can attest! <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> ) on original or very good replica parts in order to restore my Cord .

I get frustrated that this process is taking so long, but I then hear others who have taken 15 years to fix up their cars and I realize that I am moving pretty fast!

The only thing that is not set in stone is what to do under the hood. In the meantime, I am having a lot of fun restoring my car and meeting other club members.

To recap: I don't drive fiberglass cars unless they say Corvette on them!

Bill,

A number of years ago a former Club member modified a radio for a '35 Auburn speedster by removing the 'guts' out of the original radio and inserted the 'guts' of a modern day portable solid state radio (like the ones you can pick up a Wal Mart). He then cut to pieces of styrofoam and mounted the PC board diagonally in the two pieces and the inserted the assembly into the original radio housing. He use the original radio head and cables to control station selection and volume. It look great and sounded great. The only give away was when he turned the radio on; you got instant music! Just another thought.

AL

Hi! 300 watts sounds about right for your car! <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: --> Now when you get around to re-installing the original s/c engine, no doubt you will increase the wattage! After all with the extra get up and go the s/c engine supplies, you will do more travelling at 90 mph! The exhaust will be quieter because you will be closer to the speed of sound, but you will need the increased power of the sound system to drown out the sirens of the police attempting to catch you. The doppler effect is most interesting! <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> Ric.

Hi Ric,

I have all the parts for the original Philco 827 including a manual, antenna, head, radio, insulators, etc.

Your suggestion is pretty much what I have decided to do. The Radio Head is already in my dash. Looks great! I am putting the original radio/speaker in just for looks.

I have a 300-watt Klipsch sound system with XM Radio that I am using for the music. All of it is completely invisible and non-invasive. My requirement was that I could hear the music with the top down at 70mph.

I figure it is ok to add modern conveniences as long as the original car is not damaged or altered in any way.


Bill H.

Hi! If one is going to modify his radio, I would suggest that he think long and hard about it! The original 6V radio was a very fine radio in its day. A new 12V radio could be found that would be very much smaller, better, etc. and give you more room in the under dash compartment. Leave the original on the shelf to be passed on until a total purist wants the hum of the vibrator, the slow warm up time and all the other sounds and sensations that go with the original radio. I doubt whether anyone would want to return a modified original back to its original state. The fact that you are using 12V indicates you can handle a little non-original modification, so why not go with a non-original FM stereo system tucked neatly up under the dash?
I am running a 12V system, with GPS, CB, and all the goodies. When you are at speed with the top down, any radio is going to be hard to listen to. Why would you want to when there is so much more to enjoy with the wind, s/c whine, and engine roar behind you. I think I'll go for a drive! Ric.

are you front or rear drive is is a steel or glass body

Ford!

I am outraged and insulted that you would insinuate that I would have a Ford engine under the hood of my Cabriolet.

It's an Olds 455 ... for the time being. I am still considering whether to take it back to 100% original.

I have a LOT to do before then. Right now I am redoing the Top Irons and fabric top. Next, is a complete redo of the interior.

The LAST thing I am going to tackle, is the engine compartment.

going for 6 positive to 12 negative is not a problem check out hemmings and there are several different people under supplies that sell convertors. another thought would be to go to one of the radio restorers and have the radio converted to late style with high power and 12v. cosmetics would stay the same but you would have later technology. if i am thinking of the right person you have the black cord with the ford in it. this would make a good upgrade for a modified car. if you have any questions i can be reached anytime at 219-771-6453 samsonized

Well I finally got my radio! It is a Philco 827 and it is in very good condition. I have the easy part done .. the radio head is in my dash!

Now the hard part. Here's my situation:

This is an original radio which I believe ran on 6 volts, positive ground.

My car has ben converted to 12-volts negative ground.

I know this is an IQ test, but I am not doing so well. What is the best way to adapt this radio to use in my Cabriolet?