Product Description
The Pontiac Tempest gave us the GTO and plenty of handsome everyday cars. This Custom Autosound USA-630 is made specifically for the Tempest, with clear reception for music and talk radio and modern ways to play your own music.
Fit and Ordering
This listing is the Tempest version of the USA-630. Tempest dashes changed through the 1960s and 1970s, so confirm fit for your year before ordering. Call us at 574-226-6676 to confirm fit for your year.
When you order, the form asks for:
- Factory Air (Yes or No)
- Voltage (12 volt or 6 volt)
- Ground (Negative or Positive)
What Makes It Different
Custom Autosound designed the USA-630 to look at home in a vintage dash while giving drivers modern sources. Plug a flash drive into the USB port, connect a portable player to the auxiliary input, or add the optional BluKit for Bluetooth streaming and hands-free calling.
Keeping the Dash Original
The dash is one of the first things people notice in a classic. A radio built to fit the factory opening keeps it looking right, protects the value of the car and avoids permanent changes, while still giving you the convenience of modern sources.
Feature List
- Loudness, digital EQ, separate bass and treble, 4-way fader and left/right balance
- 16 presets (12 FM and 4 AM) and a USA/Euro tuner
- 4-channel RCA pre-outs, power antenna lead and an always-on digital clock
- AM/FM stereo with an RDS tuner that shows artist, song and station
- 300 watts peak power
- USB port for WMA/MP3 files on a flash drive
- iPod dock with control buttons
- 2-channel RCA auxiliary input
- Direct control of an optional CD changer
- Negative LCD (white characters on black) with alphanumeric text
Complete Your Order
- CD/Bluetooth: a single slave CD player that the radio controls, or a Bluetooth adapter (Custom Autosound's BluKit) for music streaming and hands-free calls
- Front dual voice coil speaker, which plays both stereo channels through a single dash speaker
- Rear 6x9 speaker pair, Custom Autosound or upgraded Pioneer
- Kick panels with speakers, without speakers or with a Pioneer upgrade
- Hideaway antenna
Easy to Read at Night
The negative display shows white numbers and letters on a black background, which is easy to read even in the dark, and seek tuning finds stations automatically.
Warranty
This Custom Autosound radio is covered by a 2-year warranty.
Before You Install
Your answers in the Voltage and Ground menus matter because the radio needs 12-volt negative ground to run. Cars that are 6-volt or positive ground can still use it with the right Custom Autosound converter (NGVB-HC for 6-volt negative ground, PGPI-HC for positive ground). We will help you choose.
Disconnect the battery before you start, check the old wiring behind the dash for brittle insulation and use a fused feed with a solid chassis ground. A qualified auto sound shop can handle the job if you prefer. Vintage Car Radio sells the radio and accessories but does not offer installation.
Custom Autosound USA-630 for Pontiac Tempest FAQ
Is this made for the Tempest?
Yes. Confirm fit for your year with us.
Can I control my iPod?
Yes, with the iPod dock and control buttons.
Can I add kick panels?
Yes, with speakers, without speakers or with a Pioneer upgrade.
Does it play MP3 files?
Yes. The USB port plays MP3 and WMA files.
What is the warranty?
2 years from Custom Autosound.
USA-630 specifications
- 300 watts peak power (45W x 4 RMS)
- AM/FM stereo tuner
- USB port for flash-drive playback (MP3/WMA/FLAC/WAV)
- Optional Bluetooth via BluKit add-on (sold separately)
- RCA auxiliary input (rear)
- Direct control for optional CD-1 changer
- 4-channel 5V RCA pre-outs
- Digital clock
- 7-color LCD display with dimmer
- Alphanumeric display for USB/iPod/RDS info
- Separate bass and treble; 4-way fader; L/R balance
- 25 presets (15 FM / 10 AM)
- Loudness compensation
- Power antenna lead
- USA/EURO/JAP/AUS/RUS tuner capability
- Custom Autosound 2-year manufacturer warranty
USA-630 wiring and tech tips
Use this as a head-unit reference for power, ground, antenna, speakers, and amplifier connections. Always match the printed diagram that ships with your unit if it differs.
Power and ground (typical Custom Autosound harness)
| Function | Wire color |
|---|---|
| Ignition / ACC +12V | Red |
| Battery / constant +12V | Yellow |
| Ground | Black |
| Power antenna | Blue |
Ignition and power-antenna leads are commonly fused at 1A on the harness—confirm against the guide that ships with your radio.
Speaker wiring (typical)
| Speaker | Wire color |
|---|---|
| Left front + / − | White / White-Black |
| Right front + / − | Gray / Gray-Black |
| Left rear + / − | Green / Green-Black |
| Right rear + / − | Violet (or Purple) / Violet-Black |
USA-630 extras
USB and iPod/dock leads share a cable near the antenna jack on many units. RCA jacks on top are typically labeled AUX IN, REAR, and FRONT (line out). Bluetooth requires the optional BluKit unless your package already includes it.
Suggested order for a classic Tempest
- Disconnect the vehicle battery before any wiring.
- Connect ground first, then constant (yellow) and ignition (red).
- Connect the antenna plug and the blue power-antenna lead if your car has a power antenna.
- Wire all four speakers, matching polarity.
- If using an amplifier, run RCA cables from the front/rear (and sub on USA-740/USA-850) pre-outs.
- Reconnect the battery and test radio, speakers, and charging system voltage.
Tech tips for classic Tempest
- This radio is sold for the factory Tempest opening used in classic models—do not cut a modern DIN rectangle if you want a stock look.
- A poor ground is the most common cause of whine or weak audio; scrape paint at the ground point and use a star washer.
- If AM reception is weak, check the antenna mast, cable continuity, and that the antenna plug is fully seated.
- Vintage Car Radio does not install radios. If you are not comfortable with 12V wiring, use a qualified installer.
USA-630 manuals
Download the manufacturer guide for operation, safety, and the official wiring diagram. You can also browse our full library on the Manuals page.
Vintage Car Radio does not offer installation. The manuals are for do-it-yourself reference or to share with your installer.
Two-Year Custom Autosound Warranty
All Custom Autosound radios sold by Vintage Car Radio are backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty from Custom Autosound.
Radios are checked before shipping. If something is wrong out of the box or under warranty, call us at 844-802-4499 or 574-226-6676 and we will help coordinate with the manufacturer.
Vintage Car Radio does not offer installation services. Refer to the Manuals and Wiring / Tech Tips sections for manufacturer guidance, or use a qualified car-audio installer.
FAQ — classic Tempest USA-630
Will this fit my classic Tempest without cutting the dash?
It is built for the original radio opening used on classic Tempest models. Compare your dash opening and bezel to the product photos. We do not modify dashes in-house.
Does this radio have Bluetooth?
The USA-630 supports Bluetooth with the optional BluKit add-on (sold separately).
Do I need an amplifier?
Many owners run speakers directly from the radio. Pre-outs are there if you want more volume or a subwoofer later.
Do you install the radio?
No. Vintage Car Radio ships the unit and documentation; installation is DIY or by a shop you choose.
What is the warranty?
Custom Autosound radios include a 2-year manufacturer warranty. See the Warranty section for details.
Need help?
Call 844-802-4499 or 574-226-6676.
Specs
Wiring / Tech Tips
Manuals
Warranty
Two-Year Custom Autosound Warranty
All Custom Autosound radios sold by Vintage Car Radio are backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty from Custom Autosound.
Radios are checked before shipping. If something is wrong out of the box or under warranty, call us at 844-802-4499 or 574-226-6676 and we will help coordinate with the manufacturer.
Vintage Car Radio does not offer installation services. Refer to the Manuals and Wiring / Tech Tips sections for manufacturer guidance, or use a qualified car-audio installer.
