Classic cars were never designed for Bluetooth streaming, digital radio or smartphone connectivity. But that doesn’t mean their owners want to live without them.
Audiofile-InCar in Bishop’s Stortford, just north of London, recently completed a trio of very different classic-car audio upgrades, demonstrating just how far you can go when bringing modern technology to an older vehicle – from discreet period-style installations to a 10.1in touchscreen that would have looked like science fiction when the car was built.
The common challenge is finding the right balance between modern usability and the character that makes a classic worth owning in the first place.
Few cars demand a lighter touch than a Jaguar XK150, with its elegant cabin and unmistakable period design.
For this British sports car, Audiofile-InCar concentrated on improving the listening experience while keeping the interior as close to factory specification as possible.
A Blaupunkt Frankfurt MB head unit provides the period-correct appearance, while Audison APX 5 coaxial speakers are housed beneath the dashboard in a custom-built enclosure. The speakers were trimmed to blend into the surrounding interior and finished with metal grilles for a clean, factory-style appearance.
In other words, you get modern audio without compromising the XK150’s original character.
At the other end of the scale is this 1975 Ford Bronco, where subtle was very much not the brief.
Audiofile-InCar installed Kenwood’s DMX9724XDS multimedia receiver, complete with a floating 10.1in HD touchscreen.
The system brings wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming, HDMI connectivity and multiple camera inputs to the classic American off-roader. The four-way adjustable display can also be positioned to suit the installation.
An Audison APX 5 speaker was fitted in the centre position to improve the Bronco’s original audio system.
It may not be period-correct, but it does demonstrate the increasingly popular restomod approach: keep the classic vehicle, add the technology you actually want to use.
The Daimler Double-Six takes a middle ground between the two.
Audiofile-InCar fitted another Blaupunkt Frankfurt MB head unit, retaining the period appearance of the dashboard while adding features that would have been unavailable when the V12 luxury saloon was new.
Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming sit alongside DAB+ and FM radio, with USB and AUX connectivity also available.
Audison APX 4 speakers were installed into the front doors, giving the Daimler a significant improvement in clarity and overall sound quality compared with its original speakers.
The result is a cabin that still feels appropriate to a classic British luxury car, but is considerably better equipped for a modern journey.
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