Anyone converted their leyland radio to tune in FM channels as well as AM?

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Ness_c7
Good luck. I hope that you can get the radio to sound good over the background of the Mini.
I tried to fit a very modern FM radio IC (from the Jaycar "Cardboard Radio") to a gutted Ferris Portable radio along with a 20 Watt stereo amp. They use the original radio switches, tuning and volume controls. The FM radio is not worth the effort, but I also fitted a line input from a phone. Using "i-heart", the phone can receive AM or FM radio stations with better quality than the Ferris brothers every dreamed of.
I could not bring myself to trash a working vintage radio, so I did a line input for an AWA Pressmatic that I have had since the 70's. The wiring is the same as on a youtube for vintage valve radios at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=j8YeJ0T3DpI
Another option is a "Bluetooth Receiver Amplifier" from Core Electronics in Newcastle. (XY-P40W) Only about $20, great sound quality, tiny and you might be able to fit it outside the Leyland radio but using the radio power switch so it looks like the radio is working. The metal case of the radio would block the Bluetooth signal so it would not work inside the radio case.
Good Luck Dave D.

Hi Dave
Wow! Thanks so much for such a detailed response. I have been looking into this too and have found someone that can do an external fm adapter to my original radio without gutting out all internals. They tell me that I would still be able to use my radio as it original functions just need to switch between the too, as I don't really want to loose its internal function. Don't know what it will sound like but will be going to see them within the next 2 weeks. I will need to mount the unit somewere unsee but I was going to see if I could hide it in the original radio shell as its remote operated.

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Just another idea for you. If you find a suitable period Leyland radio that is not working you could consider scrapping it and assembling a fake front that fits over and hides a modern head unit ...with the bonus of CD and maybe even bluetooth or aux input.

I did this with a 60s diamond dot. The fake front hinges down to reveal the modern head unit behind.

There are pictures of it on here somewhere if I find them I’ll post the link.

That way you can also keep your original Leyland radio untouched.


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68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

Hi Phil
That's a great idea didnt think of doing something like that. If you do end up finding the post let me know be keen to check it out.
Cheers

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Thanks for all the great feedback from above! Decided to get an external unit fitted to my original radio thats able to be hidden under my dash site unseen. It will have fm, Bluetooth and usb capabilities and also comes with a remote controll. I chose to go this way as I wanted fm stations but wanted to keep the originality and all internals of my radio. I will be able to switch from original radio to external unit through the radio control knobs and all music will be played through the original speaker unit. Will post up a video in a few weeks once I get it back

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