When restoring a classic car, choosing a radio that blends originality with modern performance is a key decision. Two brands that often draw interest from vintage car enthusiasts are Antique Automobile Radio (AAR) and Ken Harrison. While both offer upgraded audio solutions for classic vehicles, they approach the task from different philosophies. Here’s a comparative look at what each brand offers—and which might better suit your restoration goals.

Antique Automobile Radio (AAR) was founded to deliver radios that look like they belong in the era of your car—complete with vintage knobs, bezels, and analog styling. AAR’s radios often hide modern features behind authentic faceplates, minimizing visible digital elements. The result is a piece that functions like a modern radio but appears timeless at first glance.

Ken Harrison, by contrast, focuses more on offering radios tailored to specific car models—especially Mustangs, Chevelles, Camaros, and other popular platforms. Their approach often involves creating kits or radios that fit precisely into factory openings, giving owners a plug-and-play experience with minimal dash modification.

In short: AAR emphasizes stealth, authenticity, and show-level appearance, while Ken Harrison emphasizes vehicle-matched fit, straightforward installation, and practicality for model-specific builds.

• Factory Appearance: AAR radios closely mimic original looks, with matching knobs, vintage bezels, and subdued digital elements when the radio is off.
• Hidden Modern Components: Behind the classic exterior, you’ll find modern essentials—Bluetooth streaming, AM/FM stereo, RCA pre-outs, and tone controls.
• Shallow Chassis Designs: Many AAR models are engineered to be shallow, so they can fit into tight dash cavities without interfering with HVAC components or other under-dash systems.
• Subtle Lighting & Backlight: LED backlighting and illumination is often designed to emulate classic glow rather than flashy LCD brightness.

• Model-Specific Kits: Ken Harrison often packages radios designed precisely for certain car models so they bolt into the original radio cavity without custom fabrication.
• Simplicity & Convenience: Because the fit is tailored, installation is often simpler for that specific vehicle, reducing wiring headache or dash modification.
• Modern Features Built In: Many Ken Harrison radios include USB playback, auxiliary inputs, and internal amplification as part of their kits.
• Limited Scope, High Focus: Their offerings may not be as wide in universal mounting but may offer stronger compatibility in their chosen vehicle niches.

• You are doing a show-quality restoration and want a radio that disappears into the dash visually.
• You want confirmation that every visible element—even bezels, knobs, and faceplates—matches the era of your car.
• You expect to run a moderate audio system where exceptionally high power or many external amplifiers is not your focus.

• Your build is focused on a specific car (e.g., 1967 Mustang, 1970 Chevelle) and you want a radio that fits seamlessly with minimal adjustments.
• You want a radio that works reliably out of the box for your model, with less tinkering or adapter work.
• You expect to use internal power or moderate expansion but prefer ease and precision in fitment over perfect stealth.