I am ready to upgrade the radio/stereo in my 1970 SS 396, and I see that choices are fairly limited. I do not want to alter the dash. So far, I am considering Antique Audio, Classic Car Stereo, and RetroSound. Love the look of the Antique Audio, but it doesn't do as much as the others. So which unit do you like, and why? Thanks in advance!

This is what I put in my '69. Pricy, but the closest thing to the original in appearance, but with Bluetooth and so many other features.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-70-Che....c100009.m1982

Check with Mike Hagan at Home page MikeHaganAntiqueAutoRadio.com and good luck!

Barry's 8 Track Repair Center...We do FM Conversions
you can send your original and have it converted

here goes: Have a '68 SS 396 el camino with working am radio just where the general put it.
Went to wal mart and bought a dual brand blue tooth radio with remote. it is installed in the top of my glove box. ($20)
wal mart for 6x9 pioneer 4 way speakers in the rear (built some nice boxes for the el co but should not be an issue for a car) ($69)
wal wart for 2 tweeters mounted just above the kick panels facing toward the passengers ($12)
sonic electronic for a repeater to mount to the radio - operates the radio remote control without opening the glove box door ($20)
sonic electronic for antennae splitter (so I can listen to the quality am radio occasionally) ($12)
radio has a plug in for flash drive that holds nearly my entire collection...
sounds great for the money...

I have been through 3 stereos in my Chevelle. By far and away, with no equal (not even close), the best unit has been the USA made Antique Automobile Radio in Palm Harbor, Florida. radiosforoldcars. It is expensive, and there is a wait time, but, it is fantastic ! I have the SS version for my SS396. The FM tuner is fantastic, the internal amp is fantastic, the blue tooth connection to my iphone is fantastic. Honestly, this is a great stereo that looks stock. Also, the face flips from FM to AM like the original stereo. It is also a little smaller than the original, so, you can fit another small amp back there for the rear speakers. I am also using the new portable fully enclosed JL Audio subwoofer in the trunk. It all works great with no cutting of my car.

I just wen through the same dilemma. I didn't want to cut my original dash. I ended up putting a new head unit in the trunk and use my phone to control the radio. I added an amp in the trunk mounted against the back seat and I could not be happier with how it turned out. Looks original and sounds great.

this is what I did. New speakers front and back to boot.

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I used to have that set up as well, but then the head went bad, killing the battery overnight. I replaced it with a Retrosound unit that fits in the dash without cutting. It sounds great with an amp in the truck and four speakers -- I certainly do not miss having to constantly replace and remove the detachable face and having to lug it around with me.

I've had good luck with the Retrosound. If it goes bad, I'll probably just put the factory radio back in for cosmetics and install a head unit in the trunk and control it remotely.

That is in my top three. I found it on ebay last week. Looks like it's from the same guy you purchased from. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-Chevel...IAAOSwdnZaBKnZ

Do you like it, or do you LOVE it? Thanks so much!

Sounds interesting. A lot of good ideas at minimal expense! My problem right now is that my husband is down for the count and can't do any work on the car. I'll have to do this stuff myself. He broke the ball off his right hip and it couldn't be fixed. Had to have a complete new hip replacement. Been 2 1/2 weeks, and he will be down all summer, part of Fall. I have ordered new upgraded dash speakers, rear speakers, and now I must decide on what to do to the stereo itself. It's like going shopping for shoes. Don't give a gal too many choices or she will either never make up her mind or she will just buy them all!

One of my top three! Did you get the 812201BT? That's what I'm looking at. I don't have an iPhone though. Works with Android, I assume. And can I hook at CD changer to it? I would like to hide one somewhere and I have a great 12 CD player left over from my days of driving a Caddy STS. Thanks so much!

I agree with the thing about the detachable face plate. My son has one of those and I don't like it. I'm more into just the traditional "in the dash" with buttons and a tuner.

I recently installed a Retrosound radio, JBL 6x9 rear speakers and pioneer 4" front speakers in my 68 Chevelle. I was looking for a decent radio for this year's power tour. The radio features am/fm and and an auxiliary port for MP3 etc. the radio works great and has great reception and power. I could hear it at 70mph with the windows down and the channel seek function worked great when I was looking for stations away from home.

Give my best to your husband. It is tough being down for months. I've had both hips replaced, not from injury but from the original joints simply being worn out. Good luck with your radio choices.