[alfista164]

Fellow alfisti

I am in the process of restoring my '71 Spider and am trying to keep it totally original down to the stereo and all switchgear. The previous (original) owner had replaced the stock radio and added speakers in an area I do not think was correct. The speakers were kept using the magnets on the woofer up against the lowest part of the A-pillars by the footwells. I doubt that was the proper location... Aside from placing them on the rear "parcel shelf" behind the seats, is there any other location where Alfa might have installed the original speakers?

Thank you in advance,

Spiros

 

[Lokki]

Don't put them in the door panels unless you do some reinforcement. On the early S2's anyhow, the weight of the magnets will just pull the door panels off when you swing the doors shut unless something is done to hold them solidly in place. Some people put small speakers in the air vents at either end of the dash....they don't do much as vents anyhow, but you'll need a subwoofer somewhere; and there's always the cut holes in the console sides, which is probably the most practical idea. Another solution is using a Miata Headrest Speaker Retrofit Kit., although I haven't seen anyone on the BB try it yet.
It's what I've been musing about for my car.

 

[Paul W]

I have them in the console sides on my 73....have another set of console sides that are uncut from a 77 if you would like to buy them.....as I won't be using them.

 

[kcabpilot]

I'm not sure if Alfa put radios in '71 Spiders, they may have all been dealer installations. The best location for them are the outer kick panels forward of the door and down near the floor. You have to cut holes for them though but this is solid mounting structure, they are virtually invisible and produce the best sound quality. Finding a location for a sub-woofer is a bit tougher, I opted to go without, put the two best coax speakers you can in the kick panels and you'll get a pretty good sound but it's a Spider so wind and road noise are going to trump just about anything once you get over 60 mph.

 

[robvolz]

My 74 is like the 71 where the rear shelf has two indentations as if some leg-less child could have a seat back there.

Not gonna happen, not matter how much Thalidomide is given to your pregnant spouse. Not to mention you can't predict the outcome and you could end up with a child with flippers instead of arms/hands instead of the desired stumps for legs.

Where was I. Oh yes. I had my stereo guy build up the smallest shelf which brings the rear shelf just a tad over the shelf height of say a series 3.

Now you have room for a small amplifier and a small subwoofer. Mine is on a piano hinge so it is easy to tilt forward if maintenance is needed.

Fun Fact, the box has a sturdy metal screen and the whole thing is covered by a black "sonically invisible" carpet so anyone looking into the car doesn't see expensive equipment out. Don't want any wing windows broken as some idiot tries to to steal my stuff.

Also, I agree with the outer kick panel. Interior center console just sends music the wrong way.

 

[Luscombe1940]

My 74 is like the 71 where the rear shelf has two indentations as if some leg-less child could have a seat back there.

Not gonna happen, not matter how much Thalidomide is given to your pregnant spouse. Not to mention you can't predict the outcome and you could end up with a child with flippers instead of arms/hands instead of the desired stumps for legs.

Where was I. Oh yes. I had my stereo guy build up the smallest shelf which brings the rear shelf just a tad over the shelf height of say a series 3.

Now you have room for a small amplifier and a small subwoofer. Mine is on a piano hinge so it is easy to tilt forward if maintenance is needed.

Fun Fact, the box has a sturdy metal screen and the whole thing is covered by a black "sonically invisible" carpet so anyone looking into the car doesn't see expensive equipment out. Don't want any wing windows broken as some idiot tries to to steal my stuff.

Also, I agree with the outer kick panel. Interior center console just sends music the wrong way.

Sounds great!
Any pictures?

 

[robvolz]

here ya go...

 

[84FLVeloce]

Fellow alfisti

I am in the process of restoring my '71 Spider and am trying to keep it totally original down to the stereo and all switchgear. The previous (original) owner had replaced the stock radio and added speakers in an area I do not think was correct. The speakers were kept using the magnets on the woofer up against the lowest part of the A-pillars by the footwells. I doubt that was the proper location... Aside from placing them on the rear "parcel shelf" behind the seats, is there any other location where Alfa might have installed the original speakers?

Thank you in advance,

Spiros

I found the floor speakers useless at any speed, and unhooked them. Instead I built a removable box, covered it with vinyl and installed 3-way 6x9s. I tied front and back for each side together, and ran the wires tucked just under the center console. I didnt use an amp, but that close to the back of my head, I dont need it. The box volume is small, but sufficient to generate a good lower mid-range punch through the seat when wanted. The volume is sufficient to hear at 75 on the interstate. The grills on the speakers protect them, so I throw stuff on them without any problem. The back of the box is short enough so that the rag top window barely contacts, but is not deformed by it. THere are some more pics on here showing the back and inside, but here's one of the finished product.

Obviously not original, but allows you to have tunes without modifying the interior any further than has been done.