1957 Olds 88 Radio faceplate and knobs

thingiverse

A friend donated a 1957 Oldsmobile 88 "barn car" to me, which I've been meticulously restoring. After countless hours of labor and dedication, I finally managed to get it back on the road. The ultimate goal was to install a modern radio, but getting the original 40lb AM tube radio functional has proven elusive so far. However, I came across an innovative company called RetroSound (http://www.retrosound.com/) that crafts customizable radios, allowing me to tailor one to fit my vehicle's unique characteristics. When exploring options, though, I realized their offerings wouldn't complement the classic look of my car's dashboard without significant additional purchases - specifically, they lacked matching faceplates and knobs. My resourcefulness was then put into play as I created a versatile adapter that clips seamlessly onto the front of the radio, striking a remarkable resemblance to its authentic predecessor. Further enhancing this DIY solution, I carefully digitized images of both knobs and the iconic faceplate before turning them into CAD designs, essentially breathing new digital life into vintage details. But here's the hurdle I've hit: transforming these newly fabricated parts to exude the characteristic mirror-like shine typically seen on classic radios has become a daunting task. Despite having used spray paint coated with Chrome earlier, its glossy appearance doesn't hold up under scrutiny - falling somewhat short of authentic sheen standards observed in era-specific car parts