Let There Be Tunes! Modernizing my 1968 Cougar's Philco AM Radio

As much as I enjoy listening to the rumble of my 1968 Mercury Cougar's engine, sometimes I want to listen to actual music. My original Philco AM radio looked the part, but didn't work. Even if it did, listening to AM radio through a single dash speaker isn't the most ideal experience in this day and age.

Since this is a fully restored car, it's important to me to keep things looking as factory original as possible. There's also something to be said for the tactile sensation of touching an original radio instead of a modern plastic unit. So, an aftermarket stereo head unit was out of the question.

Enter the Aurora Design conversion boards! These electronics can be retrofitted into almost any old analog car radio and turn it into a modern unit with digital AM/FM HD radio, Bluetooth, USB, 4 speaker outputs with 45W per channel, an amplifier/sub trigger wire, and much more, while retaining the original physical controls and appearance.

I opted for the FMR-3.0 and BTU-3.1. For more info and specs on these boards, check out Aurora Design's website here: https://www.tech-retro.com/aurora-des...
Note that the only way to get this conversion done is to send your core radio to an approved installer. They provide a list here: https://www.tech-retro.com/aurora-des...
I used Gary Tayman in FL and he did a great job. https://www.garytayman.com

Anyway, in this video I briefly discuss the original radio and speaker options in this era of Ford Mustang and Mercury Cougar, show how I installed several improved speakers in original factory locations while keeping them hidden, fix up a set of original kick panels, and install and demonstrate my new modernized radio. It's pretty great, and truly the best of both worlds: original looks with great modern functionality.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro & First Look
2:27 - Speakers Overview & History
4:12 - Radio Removal & Installation
7:48 - First Test & Speaker Snafu
9:03 - Kick Panels
11:24 - New Radio Demonstration
16:25 - Cruisin' & Conclusions