Removing radio, replacing it with bluetooth receiver - how?

[8-P]

Morning All

Id like to remove my radio(90s car, single din) and replace it with a blanking plate.

Sat behind this, hidden away, is it possible to place a bluetooth receiver into the existing cables(those that were previously plugged into the radio)

This would allow me to stream music / radio.

I cant find an out of the box solution, but suspect it must be possible.

I guess it would look something like this:

[markiii]

does your car have a separate amplifier?

[8-P]

No, its a 1995 Porsche 968, basic original Blaupunkt head unit, 4 speakers!

Plugs in with something like this

[Scrump]

As well as the Bluetooth receiver you will also need an amplifier.
Here is an example of a hidden Bluetooth amplifier for a car:
https://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/hidden-audio/hi...

I have never used one so no idea how well they work.

[8-P]

Ah ok, I see. Was hoping for a cheaper solution, I could just take a bluetooth speaker as I already have one of those.

[Scrump]

Or fit a cheap Bluetooth enabled head unit.
Example here for £65
https://www.halfords.com/technology/car-audio/car-...

If you use a Bluetooth speaker you will need to touch the phone to adjust tracks etc, but with a headunit fitted you can leave the phone in your pocket and control tracks via headunit.

[8-P]

That is cheap, good find.

My car is totally 1995 factory and I dont want to change that, the radio blanking plate was an option. Club Sports(mine is a Sport but pretending to be a CS)did ship with no radio sometimes so this is a factory look Id quite like to go with if I can.

[InitialDave]

Blaupunkt do a 1990s style head unit with BT etc that's a perfect fit for a car like this, but they are the best part of £400.

IIRC there's a Continental branded unit that's similarly period correct in its appearance but a lot cheaper.

[joropug]

Does the car have / have the option to fit a disc changer?

This used to be a common way to add an audio input.

Few other options would be to buy a period correct looking player with these features, of which there are quite a few to suit your interior just a case of shopping around:

https://www.continental-automotive.com/en-gl/Truck...

https://www.ebay.com/str/beckerautosound/Porsche-R...

Alternatively, those Parrot handsfree kits we all had 10 years ago often have bluetooth streaming so you could look at something like that - retaining the original CD player with an easily concealable kit.

[Richtea1970]

8-P said:

That is cheap, good find.

My car is totally 1995 factory and I dont want to change that, the radio blanking plate was an option. Club Sports(mine is a Sport but pretending to be a CS)did ship with no radio sometimes so this is a factory look Id quite like to go with if I can.

When I was younger and car stereo theft was a big thing I had a blank cover thing that when you left the car, you could just pop it over the stereo which made it look like it was just a blank space.
Could you fit the Bluetooth stereo above and then put a cover over it, would be a cheaper option?

Edit, something like this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Stereo-Radio-Headun...

Edited by Richtea1970 on Monday 26th April 12:08

[gmaz]

InitialDave said:

Blaupunkt do a 1990s style head unit with BT etc that's a perfect fit for a car like this, but they are the best part of £400.

IIRC there's a Continental branded unit that's similarly period correct in its appearance but a lot cheaper.

Yeah. For a Porsche 968, do the job properly

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/head-units/mechles...

[8-P]

Richtea1970 said:

When I was younger and car stereo theft was a big thing I had a blank cover thing that when you left the car, you could just pop it over the stereo which made it look like it was just a blank space.
Could you fit the Bluetooth stereo above and then put a cover over it, would be a cheaper option?

Edit, something like this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Stereo-Radio-Headun...

Edited by Richtea1970 on Monday 26th April 12:08

It could be worth a go for 4.99, I might give it a crack.

[8-P]

gmaz said:

Yeah. For a Porsche 968, do the job properly

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/head-units/mechles...

Its a nice unit, but quite pricey. I use the car far to little to justify it. Sad nuts I know, but Im looking for the no radio Club Sport look, but with the advantage of some music if I want it, cake eat it and all.

[Scrump]

This looks like it does what you want for less than £30!


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amplifier-Bluetooth-Recei...

There a plenty of similar ones on Amazon.

[8-P]

Interesting. Not sure Im competent enough to figure out the wiring, but I know a man who is.

[Richtea1970]

Scrump said:

This looks like it does what you want for less than £30!


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amplifier-Bluetooth-Recei...

There a plenty of similar ones on Amazon.

If the head unit is as OP describes it may not have the required aux inputs

[Scrump]

Richtea1970 said:

If the head unit is as OP describes it may not have the required aux inputs

OP is trying to do without the head unit and just use bluetooth input. This amplifier appears to come with Bluetooth input built in so need for a headunit.

[8-P]

A contact at http://www.accutek.co.uk/ has said he can make we something suitable, plug and play basically.

In the mean time I just need to get the rare as hens teeth blanking plate that I think Ive found in Europe

[TEKNOPUG]

Buy an amplifier.
Buy an RCA to 3.5mm lead.
Connect phone to amp via lead.
Done.

[Hazuki]

TEKNOPUG said:

Buy an amplifier.
Buy an RCA to 3.5mm lead.
Connect phone to amp via lead.
Done.

Don't forget a volume control between the AMP and the phone. You want your phone on MAX volume at all times to make sure the amp gets full signal else it will sound quite st.

However, it would be much simpler and cost effective to just buy a mechless headunit (half depth) with BT and have it hidden in the glovebox (etc) if you don't want it on show.