The Custom Autosound Slidebar has quickly become one of the more-talked-about head units in the vintage car audio market. Owners and restorers praise it for offering a rare blend of classic styling and modern functionality. Below is a roundup of the common positives found in hands-on reviews, forum posts, and install stories—highlighting why so many enthusiasts are excited about it.
Vintage Looks, Modern Soul
One of the Slidebar’s most compelling features is its ability to look completely period-correct until you slide the face open to reveal full digital functionality. That “stealth” effect appeals to restorers who want modern tech without losing the original dash aesthetic. Classic Car Stereos sums it up: “The Slidebar radio fits in your stock dash location without any modifications required… Simply put, this is the best radio that Custom Autosound has produced.”
Forum users regularly echo that sentiment. In a Mustang forum thread, one user called the Slidebar “freakin' awesome,” citing strong bass, clean treble, and distortion-free playback even at higher volumes.
Feature-Rich While Respecting Heritage
What reviewers like most is that under the elegant facade, the Slidebar is packed with modern options. The radio supports Bluetooth, USB/AUX input, and full RCA pre-outs (including a dedicated sub output).
In the Classic Truck Performance install of the Slidebar in a 1967–72 C10, the author noted:
“With the addition of four pre-outs (as well as a single sub pre-out) it can also be used as a main control unit for a high-wattage system.”
That kind of flexibility lets builders either use it as a full system or as a control head feeding amplifiers down the line.
Real-World Performance Feedback
Actual owner installs offer hands-on proof of what the Slidebar delivers. In a Mustang forum, one user described his experience:
“Great bass and treble for clarity of sound. You can pump up the volume, and enjoy distortion free sounds too. The head has a digital readout to keep you informed…”
Another user, on a Chevy truck board, said:
“I really like how the radio looks stock, and I like the slide bar feature.”
In the C10 install article, the writer remarked that installation was straightforward, and that the unit "slots in very easily" into the dash.
Things to Be Mindful Of (but Still Positive)
Even in glowing reviews, people point out small trade-offs worth considering:
-
Some note that sound quality depends heavily on speaker setup and wiring. In a Mustang forum, one user said the sound was “in general acceptable, but that is also affected by factors external to the radio.”
-
The Slidebar manual confirms that the unit includes “low level, high impedance outputs,” making it capable of integration with different systems.
These remarks aren’t criticisms of the radio itself—rather, they reflect that even a great head unit needs proper installation, wiring, and component matching to shine.
Final Thoughts
If you’re restoring a classic car and want a radio that doesn’t broadcast “modern” until you want it to, the Slidebar is beginning to earn its place among the best options. Its combination of vintage styling and hidden modern power pass muster in real-world use.
At Vintage Car Radio, we see the Slidebar as a brilliant compromise—delivering the look many restorers demand while giving you the functionality today's drivers expect. Its positive reviews aren’t just about features or spec sheets—they reflect what matters most: how good it looks, how well it installs, and how it performs once the music starts.