Restoring a classic car often means choosing whether your radio should shout modern or whisper vintage. With Custom Autosound, the Slidebar and USA-850 are two flagship radios that aim to deliver modern features while preserving the classic look. Let’s dig into how they compare and which might be the better pick for your build.
What the Slidebar Brings to the Table
The Slidebar is one of Custom Autosound’s more creative approaches: it offers both a working analog flip/slide bar face and a hidden modern digital display under that face.
Key features include:
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300 watts peak power with ample output for modern speaker setups.
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Four RCA pre-outs plus one subwoofer output for expansions into amps/subs.
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Bluetooth compatibility via BLUKIT (for streaming and hands-free calls) in addition to built-in digital/USB capabilities.
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USB input, iPod control, and auxiliary input for portable media devices.
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7 selectable LCD color backlights and dimmer, so you can match dash lighting.
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The signature slidebar face that hides/reveals the digital display behind it, giving a clean, vintage appearance until you slide it to expose modern controls.
The Slidebar is ideal for those who want a radio that looks period-correct at a glance—perfect for shows or judges—without sacrificing features.
What the USA-850 Excels At
The USA-850 leans more heavily into high performance, display flexibility, and power options, all wrapped in a design made to integrate seamlessly with classic dashboards.
Standout features include:
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DigaDial™ display with multiple display modes—including a working analog dial emulation or full digital readouts (RDS, station/song info).
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6-volt RCA pre-outs plus dual subwoofer outputs, giving stronger signal levels and more serious sub integration.
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Built-in Bluetooth, so you don’t need an external kit to stream or take calls.
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USB port for media playback (MP3/WMA/FLAC, etc.), plus RCA auxiliary inputs.
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Output power of 300 watts peak to drive modern speakers cleanly.
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Custom Autosound promises fitment in over 400 classic vehicles with no dash cutting, via their standard 3-wire harness and labeled speaker wiring.
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Recognition and awards: the USA-850 took home a 2024 SEMA New Product Award in the “Best Mobile Electronics” category, largely for its display and features.
The USA-850 is built for those who want high-end integration, lots of control, and display sophistication—without giving up vintage style.
Side-by-Side Comparison & Which to Pick
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Slidebar | USA-850 |
| Vintage face with hidden display | Primary concept | — |
| Display modes / analog + digital | Has two modes (slide-reveal) | Multiple modes via DigaDial™ |
| RCA pre-outs & sub output | 4 pre + 1 sub | 4 channels + dual sub, 6-volt pre-outs |
| Bluetooth | Via optional BLUKIT or integrated | Built-in |
| USB / iPod / aux | Yes | Yes |
| Peak power | 300W | 300W |
| Dash fit & integrity | Designed to fit stock, no cutting | Also designed for over 400 cars, no cutting |
| Best use case | Show cars, vintage aesthetics with hidden tech |
Systems with expansion, serious sound, display enthusiasts
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Best pick if your priority is show-quality vintage appearance: Slidebar gives you the clean look and the hidden modern tech.
Best pick if you want maximum flexibility, strong outputs, and display control: USA-850 offers more power options, display modes, and high-level pre-outs.
At Vintage Car Radio, we often steer show builds or concours cars toward the Slidebar for aesthetics, while recommending the USA-850 for sound systems that will grow with amps and subs—without sacrificing dash integrity.