The 1957-58 DeSoto radio is likely one the most popular Chrysler radios around. We had the opportunity to converts several different units over the past few years. But, this is the first time a rare seven-pushbutton model came to our shop, traveling all the way from Germany. Tom sent us the pristine 1957 seven-pushbutton DeSoto radio, Mopar #923 made by Motorola and requested a full Digital 45W stereo sound, FM, MP3, Cellphone charger conversion with switchable LCD screen. A warm LED AM dial illumination, which resemblance the original GE 1816 incandescent bulb, was also added. On this particular Mopar radio, part of the radio frame is visible and also part of the dashboard, which required painting portions to match the interior. Once this was done the radio was ready to be installed in his Fireflite Wagon. One side note, Chrysler never gave buyers the optional for rear speakers on wagons or convertibles, so Tom is planning to blend a rear unit in the interior for full stereo sound. The 1957 Desoto Fireflite Wagon is in the advanced stages of the restoration, so we will see another pristine Exner’s product rolling back in Europe very soon. Thanks Tom, for trusting your rare radio to our shop! Thank you also for let us share the conversion with the Forwardlook community. We are sure that our product will change your riding experience forever! Here some pictures and a video of the radio operation.
Posted 2017-08-04 4:06 AM (#545547 - in reply to #545515) Subject: Re: 1957 DeSoto Fireflite Wagon Radio Conversion
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Location: D-70199 Heslach
thanks for the conversion Denis. The result is beautiful. I was very satisfied when I first tried the radio after conversion.
Now its time to think about where to install the speakers on an invisible position.
This "invisible" space is limited, but I don't want to surrender and would like to find space for four speakers. Are there ideas from any other wagon owners?
Posted 2017-08-04 4:24 PM (#545585 - in reply to #545515) Subject: RE: 1957 DeSoto Fireflite Wagon Radio Conversion
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Location: Morgan Hill, CA
DGV Electronics - 2017-08-03 4:09 PM
The 1957-58 DeSoto On a side note, Chrysler never gave buyers the optional for rear speakers on wagons or convertibles,
My convertible has accessory group 1 and says it includes a rear seat speaker. My car has a new boot in it though and no speaker is present. Does anybody have a picture of a convertible rear seat speaker or did they not really have them?
Very nice looking restoration/conversion. Do you mind me asking what the cost is to do something like that? Is it possible to do the conversion and still use an ARC record player with it?
Posted 2017-08-04 10:17 PM (#545610 - in reply to #545547) Subject: Re: 1957 DeSoto Fireflite Wagon Radio Conversion
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ToMopar - 2017-08-04 1:06 AM
Now its time to think about where to install the speakers on an invisible position.
This "invisible" space is limited, but I don't want to surrender and would like to find space for four speakers. Are there ideas from any other wagon owners?
If your wagon doesn't have the 3rd seat, you could consider putting speakers in the rear floor board that covers the rear area (usually with a spare tire). Use very thin grilles that are no thicker than a piece of sheet metal so that you can still comfortably sleep back there and haul stuff. This location doesn't cut into your side panels or into your tailgate panel. You can put them in the tailgate too, but that cuts up an un-obtainable piece of metal.
Posted 2017-08-06 12:27 PM (#545684 - in reply to #545515) Subject: Re: 1957 DeSoto Fireflite Wagon Radio Conversion
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Thanks a lot guys, we always do the best for our customers. I hope someone can help Tom with the speaker box location, since is not many practical places to install it.
Posted 2017-08-06 5:58 PM (#545708 - in reply to #545702) Subject: Re: 1957 DeSoto Fireflite Wagon Radio Conversion
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Another option is to hang them from the roof just behind the rear seat like a rear A/C system. But if you put them there, you would want to make the mount for them easily removed so they don't get in the way at other times.