Custom Autosound Manufacturing, Inc. (CAM) was founded in 1977 by Carl Sprague in a small garage in Fullerton, California. Music and a desire to fill a need were Carl’s initial motivators. The “need” was the lack of modern car stereos that fit the original radio openings in his and other Corvette classics. From 1963 through 1967 Corvette radios were quite different. Most original radios were AM only with no cassette players or FM tuning available.
In the late 1970s cassette tapes were introduced. At that time CAM developed a technique to modify AM-FM/cassette players to fit into the original radio openings of these classic Corvettes. Carl used his own 1963 Corvette coupe to prototype his initial offerings.
The initial concept of fitting modern radios into a current classic vehicle was readily expanded into the car/year group applications, including 1955-1957 Chevrolets and 1964-1973 Mustangs. This expansion of product lines involved many hours of research and development. The process involved locating various classic vehicles, acquiring original dashboards, and developing a minimum of two speakers required for stereo effect. Since most vehicles from the 1940s to 1980s were originally equipped with a single front speaker, CAM developed a dual front speaker assembly that fit that area without any modification to the vehicle. This was accomplished for all vehicle applications offered, providing a complete “modern” audio system for CAM customers.
The mid 1980s brought considerable growth for CAM. The company proceeded to design and manufacture its “own brand” of radios and speakers. CAM’s designs and specifications from the factories allowed for more classic design (i.e. chrome radios) and better quality components than offered in current “off the shelf” units available from local wholesalers.
With the advent of compact disc systems in the 1990s, CAM developed several radios that actually controlled remote CD players and still fit the original radio openings.
Custom Autosound is the only known manufacturer of classic vehicle stereos as well as a multitude of upgrade/custom fit speakers and kick panel speakers. CAM is a regular exhibitor at SEMA show and it’s licensed by Ford and GM to use their trademarks and logos.
Custom Autosound's radios and speakers are manufactured using the same technology and standards, and often in the same facilities as any other household name brand audio electronics. CAM gives its customers a wide variety of features to meet every need, providing CD/DVD players, devices that support Bluetooth technology and USB connectivity, and more.
Custom Autosound's radios are extensively tested to operate at temperatures below 40 degrees and up to 130 degrees F. After the temperature test, each radio goes through a vibration test. All radios are tested this way. After testing, each radio is hand adjusted to fit a specific classic car or truck before ever leaving the warehouse. CAM practices rigorous quality control standards and boasts a less than 0.05% product return rate.
Custom Autosound stands behind its products. It is the only company in the industry to provide customers with a full two-year warranty.