Finished installing the vintage radio into the Beetle this evening. Had to remove the air intake to install the back support for the radio. Installed the speaker and buttoned everything up. Very pleased with the end result, wouldnt hesitate to do it again.

Ive been wanting to install a vintage radio in the Beetle for some time now and last week I came across a great deal on a new old stock Tenna Ranger that is period correct. So I received the radio in the mail the other day and was excited to open the box that had been sealed for over 47 years. This is the same radio kit that the dealers wouldve installed at the dealership after you purchased your new Beetle. My next hope was that the radio would actually work after being tucked away that long. Regardless of whether it worked or not, it was going to get installed. So last night, I began the install process. The hardest part so far was removing the dash pad material that would open the hole for the radio. This stuff is extremely tough. But after an hour or so of chipping away at it, the opening was clear and ready for the install. The radio slid right in and locked into place. Next, it was a matter of feeding the wires through the back and connecting the antenna. At this point, it was time to test the radio. Hot wire was connected to the fuse bus, ground wire was secured, wire for the radio light was piggybacked off of the speedo light and the speaker was temporarily connected. To my amazement, the radio fired up, all of the controls and the light worked and even the speaker worked. I was very, very pleased. I quickly tuned in an AM station and listened to the sounds of the 60s and 70s. Next, Ill install the rear support for the radio (air intake will have to come out temporarily to gain access), install the speaker and button up the wiring. Hope to get it finished up tomorrow night.