MGB & GT Forum

I own a 1966 MGB GT and since FM is dead in Norway I need DAB to get any radio signals. I had this little chinese DAB/BT adapter lying around and thought "maybe it will fit in the ashtray?" It didn't but it was small enough that maybe I could 3D-print something. I had to cut away most of the plastic casing and desolder the various connectors and microphone to get it to fit, but it works. The wrap on the lid isn't perfect and I haven't painted it yet.



I've also made a 3D printable brake reservoir cap for pressure bleeding. I guess I should put my MGB things up on Cults3D for others to download.

That is very impressive work. Well done!

I am amazed by the new technologies and how they can be used to enhance our antique car hobby.

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Jeffrey W. Delk
Hartwell. Georgia USA
1950 MGTD #2301,1954 MGTF 1500 #7673,1957 MGA
1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider,1967 MGBGT,1971 MGB Tourer

I took a photo of what it looks like in the car. Not screwed down.

I uploaded it for download here: https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/various/mgb-dab-radio-and-bluetooth-adapter-ashtray-mod



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-04-01 08:56 AM by Lynxman.

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

I took it one step further and made my own retro-style amp. I have a simple TDA7377 amp kit that I make myself and designed 3D printable parts to make it look like the old Blaupunkt that was in my car when I got it. Instead of the window with the radio frequency I made a slot to stick my mobile phon in. Inside I added a wireless charger that can charge my phone. The AMP has stereo out and a subwoofer output. To power the mono speaker in the center console I use + from one channel and - from the other channel to the speaker which then outputs combined audio. I'm missing the thre latching switches I want to have in the front for power, mute and charger so I won't install it in the car yet. The left knob controls volume and the right knob controls treble. The bass level for the amplified bass output is on the side hidden as it's not needed and there was nowhere to put it and look right.

It's really hard to get a nice result when wrapping the chrome vinyl on these parts so it's not perfect. I will try redoing it when I get more of the chrome vinyl as I ran out trying to get this right.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-04-06 10:32 AM by Lynxman.

It works and looks great.

Looks great.
Sorry, what's a DAB?

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The important thing is not to get ahead, but to get along.

Digital Audio Broadcasting. The modern replacement for FM radio. In Norway all national FM radio was shut down years ago and DAB is the replacement.

I designed a new facia for the head unit and also installed the three buttons for power, mute and charger. It looks pretty good in the car. Shown here with a phone in the wireless charging dock. Kind of looks like an 8-track player.

Great work on the ashtray utilization!

I took the lazy way out. Purchased a small Amp with Bluetooth connectivity from Amazon for $30. Then hid it behind the speaker housing. I have an android routine on my phone that automatically connects to when it senses the MGs Bluetooth and starts playing my Pandora station. Nice thing is, when you get out of the car, come back to it, it picks up where you left off. Additionally, I have Radio Garden mobile app on my phone which enables me to listen to virtually any radio station from around the world. $30 well spent while still keeping that original look.

That sounds nice too. My DAB unit also has Bluetooth and I tend to use it more often than DAB because DAB drops out as soon as there's a hill or mountain in the way, and since this is Norway it happens a lot. I miss FM because of it.

The head unit I made has an amplified bridge output for a bass speaker so I plan to install an 8" bass speaker to the rear of the car in the wooden floor, making the spare tire bay act as a box. Hopefully it works ok. The car is really noisy so I don't expect hi fidelity.