2000 miles is a long trip and a lot of fuel! When I have to fly every two weeks, the 4-hour plane ride each way is long enough!

Went to a local cruise night last evening and I was boxed in by Chevies!

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Ralph (the Radio Guy) was able to get my signal seeking radio working within 30 mins of me dropping off. It needed a new vibrator and the speaker was shot. That being said, it would still need to be recapped and converted from 6V Positive Ground to 12v negative ground. So the cost for that would be more than that actual conversion to an AM/FM/Bluetooth with a working wonder bar.

Here is a video of the radio hooked to an external speaker:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4dAXZV2m4a0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Here is him testing the wonder bar motor to verify it was fried:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w4Hy8Z3ueRg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This radio I acquired was out of a box of parts and was from a 1953 senior car. I changed the knobs to match my Clipper.

Hi Kev,

I think you said Ralph (The Radio Guy) was local to us in Chicagoland. The radio in my '53 gave up the ghost 2 years ago. Toying with the idea of doing the solid state AM/FM conversion but would like to keep it 6V. Can you PM or text me Ralph's contact information? Thanks.

Weather is starting to warm up. Won't be long before the Packards are back on the road !

Dezi

Dezi, yes for sure. He's located in Barlet just off of 59. I'll send you the info.

Here is another video he just sent me of getting the radio to actually signal seek. This was a test to make sure all the controls are functional before the conversion is done. He recommended I replace the volume knob as there is a dead spot in it.


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PeyWpEJUeNk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Dezi, contact info sent to your email address. Let me know if you didn't receive it.

Got it Kev. Thanks !

Hi, my 55 super clipper has a non working radio, I have converted the car to negative ground. I see modern replacements for the wonderbar radio, but I don't have the wonderbar in my car. Are the measurements the same? ( wonderbar, non wonderbar)I also would like to have the contact info for Ralph, in case I need to get my existing radio repaired.
Thanks.

Mine is 7 5/8" center to center on the shafts, 1 7/8" x 5 5/8" face plate.

I believe the dash openings are the same. But you'd have to ask another 55 owner in regards to that. A modern replacement is going to look odd in the dash. The conversion maintains the look, but just adds hidden functionality.