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Post Info TOPIC: February meeting: Sat 2/18/17 11am S&M Electrotech in Blaine


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February meeting: Sat 2/18/17 11am S&M Electrotech in Blaine
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Our February 2017 has been scheduled!

 

S&M Electrotech in Blaine will be the host. 11:00am. Their address is 8836 Xylite St NE, Blaine MN 55449. Simple directions mean getting off 35w onto County J, go West. Turn Right at Lorenz Bus which is Xylite St. It's about 1/4-1/2 mile up on the left in a business building. He's about midway down the building.

 

Who is S&M Electrotech? In a very simplified nutshell, they build/retrofit/restore old car radios, keeping the classic look but with modern internals. They also do speakers, including making their own version of the rectangle 70-72 Chevelle front stereo speakers. This is another one of our local guys who are experts in their field. Their website is www.turnswitch.com if you're curious.

As a added bonus, after visiting S&M, we're going to also mosey over to Specialty Auto Service to tour their shop. They do mechanical restoration/modification of vintage/classic vehicles.

 

I have been in both shops, and I think you guys will enjoy them.

 

img115.jpgimg116.jpg



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Bryan-NW 'burbs
1972 Malibu
Vaguely stock appearing, and the opposite of restored.
1999 std bore 5.7, Vortec heads, Holley Stealth Ram, GM cam
700R4, Viking coilovers, 12 bolt 4.10 posi, and a whole bunch more



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Sorry to miss this one. Greg did the digital upgrade in my Chevelle, I am also running one of his speakers. I am very pleased, my only regret is I did mine years ago and there has been an upgrade in the conversion since then.
One of my old bosses is the brother to the Gunderson that owns the neighboring resto shop, nice guy.

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'69 Convertible,  Lemans Blue, 454, 200 4R, 12 Bolt. 

Jon H.  Lino Lakes



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Both places are fascinating, and the owners are good people. Specialty does high-end rods.

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Larry L.

Coon Rapids



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Just called and confirmed our meeting a week from tomorrow. Should be a good one!

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Bryan-NW 'burbs
1972 Malibu
Vaguely stock appearing, and the opposite of restored.
1999 std bore 5.7, Vortec heads, Holley Stealth Ram, GM cam
700R4, Viking coilovers, 12 bolt 4.10 posi, and a whole bunch more



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We had a great turnout, thank you to everyone who was able to come out!

In brief: Greg from S&M opened up his shop and gave a great presentation on vintage radios, their construction, and what updates are possible. In essence, if your radio is not digitally tuned, he can upgrade it to far superior performance at a pretty fair price. I don't think anyone left without learning at least a few new things.


Here's some pics:

 

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We also went next door and toured Specialty Auto Service. They do a lot of custom performance upgrades--pretty much anything under the body, from the Fox-body mustangs back to the old Coupes and hot rods.

Here's some pics:

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Want more details??? You gotta come to the meetings!!!!!



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Bryan-NW 'burbs
1972 Malibu
Vaguely stock appearing, and the opposite of restored.
1999 std bore 5.7, Vortec heads, Holley Stealth Ram, GM cam
700R4, Viking coilovers, 12 bolt 4.10 posi, and a whole bunch more



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Thanks to Bryan and Chris P for setting up Saturdays meeting and tours. Both companies were great to see and it was gpod to see so many club members as well!



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Chris S.

Oak Grove

'68 Malibu (His)

'68 442 (Hers)



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Thanks for posting the pics for us absentee members!!

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'69 Convertible,  Lemans Blue, 454, 200 4R, 12 Bolt. 

Jon H.  Lino Lakes



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I would have enjoyed that.  I was an electronics service tech after I got my electronics degree in the early 80's, and used every piece of test equipment on that test bench.  That picture brought back memories...

Kind of amazing they can make a business out of it these days, but I'm glad they are able to survive. 



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Stan S.-Twin Cities 'South Metro'

1972 Malibu Convertible 2nd time around 

1999 SS Camaro LS1-6 speed

Forum influenced terms: 'Link Paste', 'Stanitized', & 'Revolving garage door...' 

 



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I asked that very question Stan. Right now in the slow season he is behind 3-4 weeks. When it gets "busy" he said they get 8-10 weeks out!

That really surprised me.



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Chris S.

Oak Grove

'68 Malibu (His)

'68 442 (Hers)



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FYI
Sad to learn the owner of the company has died and they are no longer doing radio conversions.
The son and son-in-law are continuing with speaker and turn signal parts of the business.

There is a guy who is also in Blaine that has also been doing the radios for ~20 years and I am having the Pontiac radio modernized
Will let you all know how it goes.
His current backlog is 6-8 weeks, so it should be in for BTT50's


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Bruce L. - Lakeville MN

1971 Malibu Convert

 



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from the website



***AS OF 12/1/2021 WE DO NOT CONVERT OR REPAIR RADIOS. Due to the death of the owner, Greg Thompson, we are no longer able to provide this service. Website is being left for now to allow access to the information it provides as a resource.

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Bruce L. - Lakeville MN

1971 Malibu Convert

 



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Sorry to hear of his passing. Greg was a real gentleman. He did a radio conversion for me when I first got my Chevelle and several speaker projects since then. He will be missed in the industry.

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'69 Convertible,  Lemans Blue, 454, 200 4R, 12 Bolt. 

Jon H.  Lino Lakes

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