Since the dawn of motoring, each and every individual concerned with the quest for luxury motoring has struggled to make in-car entertainment better... and darn well better. Over the decades the quality of Systems has grown immensely and 'top notch' sound is now considered an essential in just about any modern motor car. These modern systems don't, however, cater for the tastes of the Originality Police who are constantly lying in wait on the streets, ready to pounce on any unsuspecting classic car driver with a non-period or incorrect radio. The fixed penalty of a clever remark is usual, but a 'no trophy' result and a clever remark is an popular punishment for these miscreants if the Originality Police happen to be judging.

There are absolutely dozens of specialists in the classic car game, each ready to provide a product or service that you'd thought unobtainable. But somewhere along the line, the world seems to have dismissed classic car sound systems as unimportant; and that just ain't right and proper, 'cus there ain't nuffin worse than a real straight old motor that's equipped with the latest ICE offering from downtown Halfords. But there's a man from 'round these parts' (the UK) who can achieve the impossible and make that proper ol' radio go good again. And if you ain't got the proper job to make good, he'll supply you the real gig for what's (probably) less than a (probably) stolen radio off ya best mate. Adrian James can work wonders with that radio you thought would never receive help, let alone receive a signal.

Adrian specialises in the repair and restoration of old and classic radio equipment and can supply parts as well as advice on those mysterious boxes that are as much a part of classic cars as any other component.

Adrian has spent most of his life working on repairs to this type of equipment, and has even restored radios for cars of the stars, such as the late James Mason's Blaupunkt and Eddie Whymark's Delco radio that now sings proudly from the dash of the Cadillac in which it originally became electrically challenged. if you own a car with a poorly radio or just an empty space, then Adrian will have that elusive part or even the complete unit. Stock usually runs at a couple of thousand units at a time, with enough spares to service virtually any make or model of system from any classic American car, whether it's from the Thirties or the Eighties.

There were really only a few actual manufacturers of these radios, although their badging did vary between models. The typically installed original equipment in your car would have been perhaps a Delco, Mopar, Philco or a possibly a Motorola; and if your motor is pre-war you'd expect to see maybe either a Crossley RCA Victor or a Bosch singin' in the dash. All parts are available for these radios and restoration is always possible if things have gone that bit too far and a new part on its own won't do the job.

Restoration costs from £125 and for that you'll have a perfectly functioning old radio again. But how about being able to receive FM? Adrian can convert your radio to receive FM stereo without altering its appearance in any way whatsoever. A stereo option is available at around the £250 mark. This entails replacing the guts with modern electronics, although the fascia isn't altered in any visible way.

If you have a six volt or positive earth radio, then a polarity inverter or voltage converter is required, so the cost will increase, as with the four speaker option. So please call for an accurate price.

If you don't possess a radio at all, then Adrian can supply the required item. Even if you're unsure as to what it should be, assistance is at hand - yes, Adrian can identify the correct radio for most classic American cars, as well as probably having the desired model in stock.

Radios can be supplied dating back as far as pre-war, with prices varying considerably depending on such variables as condition and scarcity. A Mopar to fit a Ford Mercury (with the mono FM conversion) could cost as little as £300 for a real minter. But if you intend doing justice to a Corvette, then you'd better start saving as a unit could cost you in the region of a couple of 'grand' - and only then if you can find one. That applies to any classic Corvette, so if you own a 'Vette with the original noise maker, treat it with due care!

Not only does Adrian do all this, but any ancillaries can also he supplied such as period aerials and speaker units; he also has contacts across the States who can assist in sourcing and supplying both complete units and all the other bits as well. We did learn from Adrian that certain cosmetic components are difficult to obtain and so some remanufacturing has taken place to cope with the demand of such parts as knobs and switches; but we are also told that chroming of these parts can he a problem and so customers are advised to source a specialist plater who can revitalise old chrome on these fascia components.

As well as repairing transistor and valve radios, Adrian encounters many individuals who require conversion regarding polarity and/or voltage. This causes no problems and, for example, 6v units can he converted to work with 12v system (and vice-vera) as well as polarity conversions which are done by way of a ‘polarity inverter', the cost of which is £45 to £95 depending on the exact specification of the unit and the conversion required.

Typical turnaround time for a restoration job is between two and six weeks, depending on workload and the nature of the job. This turnaround allows time to obtain any non-stock items that may need to he sourced and delivered.

If classic sounds on a grander scale are your thing, despair not. If your fave jukebox has spun its final 45 or refuses to budge regardless of the depositing of varying coins of the realm, then a call to our fearless fixer could well be the answer. Adrian is perfectly at home amongst the internals of old and new 'boxes alike and can usually find the cause of the reluctance to function in the required way.

As testament to these claims, Adrian was more than happy to show us a Wurlitzer that had recently undergone major surgery at the mercy of his screwdriver and soldering iron and, thanks to good old Doctor Sparks, is now more than ready for another few decades of thumping out those good ol' toons. Adrian's own jukebox takes pride of place in the living room and, thanks to the expert's hand, the Row-Ami belts 'em out with the best of 'em.

If you're the type of person who becomes rather upset at the sight of poor attention to detail - Starsky & Hutch stripes on a standard Torino, for example, or a CD player in a car that was made before the word 'vinyl' had any kind of musical meaning - then either apply for a job as a desk bobby with the Originality Police or just go and tell the masses that there is somebody out there who can provide the finishing touch to any car that's 'oh so nearly there'. Adrian will be more than happy to discuss your requirements and, almost certainly more than able to meet them. Got a duff radio? Treat yourself. You know you should...

Adrian James can be contacted at
10 Westview, Paulton, Nr Bristol BS39 7XJ
Or call (01761)413933.