cassette player option

[3500haulin]

I'm new here... I just picked up a 71 numbers matching Road Runner and it has the center console and on top of the console is a factory cassette player that is in need of desperate repair. I was wondering if anyone knew of a place to get parts for this thing. I have looked at the usual suspects but no luck. I'm sure this was a rare option so I would like to leave it in vehicle. I have the build sheet for this car and it is amazing what mother mopar would build for you. Gold leaf poly Gold vinyl half top gold stripe package and gold interior. and also a cassette player lol.

 

[69redrunner]

8-track or cassette?
I didn't think cassettes were around yet in 71

 

[440+6]

I remember seeing cassettes in 71 and 72 maybe even other years, they had microphones and where strange looking thing mounted on the hump.
Don't know who fixes them though.

 

[YY1]

Mopar was WAY ahead of the curve on cassette technology...and paid the price.

They're DIN standard, too (well, 1.5 DIN anyway).

Keep googling, I'm sure I remember a guy that rebuilds them...NOT cheap, though.

A working one is worth about 3 bills and the pod is worth almost as much if not as much or more!

- - - Updated - - -

...and the radio that attaches to it...also about 3 bills.

 

[Photon440]

What is not working on your cassette player? If it's an electronic problem, it could be a hassle. But many of those old decks had mechanical problems that are easily rectified. Cleaning out the dirt and dust from the inside, and cleaning the playback heads is always a good idea. A lot of those machines failed simply because the rubber drive belts dried out, stretched and slipped, or just plain broke. Those are the easiest parts to replace and get things going again.

Cassettes were introduced in the early '60's, so by the time Chrysler offered them, there was already a good supply of pre-recorded music available for them.

 

[moparmarks]

Try Greg Ward at Wards Radio service.
Yes 71 was the first year for the Mopar cassette.

 

[YY1]

Out of curiosity, anyone know when gm or ford first offered a casette?

The first one I ever saw from the factory was an 84/85 celebrity.

I've never seen a prerecorded casette earlier than early/mid 70's, either.

I believe, basd on limited research, that the cassette format was originally used and intended for use as a dictation device, similar to those micro-cassettes that got popular in the 70s. That also explains why the Mopar units were recorders, and why blank cassettes may have been available well before any prerecorded.

If anyone has evidence to the contrary, I'd love to see it.

I was a HUGE cassette fan from the late 70's well into the late 90's.

Maxell UDS/UDXL II cr/ox recored just barely into the +3db range and played back without the DNR adjustment yielded incredible results! Kept all my vynil from being worn out. too.

 

[3500haulin]

Try Greg Ward at Wards Radio service.
Yes 71 was the first year for the Mopar cassette.

Thanks, I just looked at the web site and there in my home town. As for the condition it is in rough shape but restorable it does have a jack for what i think is a mic. As for the case it sits in it is pretty warped with some pieces missing off the bottom edge. Im thinking the case may just be one of those things that I will have to restore as best as possible.