Meet the Crutchfield Car of the Future

Rayna's Caprice Classic is, well, classic

Rayna's known at Crutchfield for her fantastic graphic design work, and for being W.A.L.T.E.R.'s owner, since he really stands out in the company parking lot. She mentions that he's the only car she's ever owned. "We were on our way to Charlottesville one day to go do some shopping, and Walter was sitting there on the side of the road with a "For Sale" sign. My dad turned right around and we went and checked it out. We thought about it while we were shopping, and bought him on our way home. It was shortly after I graduated high school."

Rayna's called the car "Walter" for a long time, since before she started working at Crutchfield. According to her, there's no special meaning behind the name, but she was kind enough to let us retrofit the appellation to a futuristic-sounding acronym for this article. Because in the future everything's got a cool acronym, right?

Rayna's quite aware of the attention W.A.L.T.E.R. generates: "I get stopped all the time when I am driving Walter. 'Man, that’s a cool car. I used to have one of those back in the day.' 'What year is that? 8 cylinder?' 'Is it for sale? No? Well if you change your mind…' People roll down windows at stop lights to tell me about how they wish they never got rid of their Walter. A lady once told me at a stoplight that she had two, one of which was stolen. I’ve had people ask me in grocery store parking lots if they could give me their number JUST IN CASE I ever wanted to sell it."

2020 features in a 1988 ride

W.A.L.T.E.R.'s journey to "Car of the Future" status comes with the realization that a lot of cars on the road today can still enjoy advanced driver-assistance features similar to what newer factory models offer, without a new car purchase. We want to demonstrate that no matter how "classic" your car might be, it's not too old to learn some new tricks. With the help of gear like cameras and GPS navigation, W.A.L.T.E.R.'s ready to hit the road like a car 30 years his junior.

 

Perfect for cars without a touchscreen radio

Gentex’s GENFDM3LN factory-look replacement rear-view mirror includes a camera that mounts on the back window. It provides a clear view when the back is loaded with cargo or very tall passengers who block the normal mirror-based rear view. It also dims automatically when hit with bright headlights. With an extra adapter, it works with optional backup cameras (like the Boyos below).

Barely visible but offers a great view

"Walter's trunk is so huge I once lost my wallet in there for like six months," Rayna recalls. Having a rear-view camera can ensure maneuvering something that large in close quarters doesn't quickly become a costly misadventure.

Boyo’s ultra-slim VTL425TJ backup camera (shown above) works well on most license plates without covering up crucial information. W.A.L.T.E.R.’s no stranger to tight spots (just look at him!), so the camera’s active backup lines help Rayna get in and out of them. 

Boyo's VTLK601HD backup cam didn't go on W.A.L.T.E.R., but it includes six different mounting brackets so it can fit on nearly any vehicle without hassle.

See with great detail, both front and rear

The Kenwood DRV-A700WDP low-profile camera duo includes both a Wide Quad HD dash camera and a second HD camera which can work inside the car or as a rear-view cam. The cameras record crystal-clear images and can transmit to a smartphone or device via included Wi-Fi®. Built-in GPS tags files with position, date, time, and speed; you can use this info for insurance filings or police reports if you're involved in an incident.

More than just a gadget

Garmin’s DriveSmart™ 55 & Traffic portable navigator is a great travel add-on for W.A.L.T.E.R. It lets Rayna talk hands-free with Bluetooth® compatibility, and it offers real-time traffic updates. She can control it using her voice or its gorgeous 5.5" multi-touch display.  Rayna likes to brag about how much she's driven W.A.L.T.E.R. over the years, including a trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and back — in the same day. "I only needed to fill him up twice," she laughs.

Keep the juice flowing

The Scosche MagicGrip™ is both a phone mount and a wireless Qi charger. It’s got motorized arms that automatically close when you put your phone in, and its nifty ring of LEDs lets you know when your phone is charging and when it’s at 100%. And as we know, motorization and awesome illumination are essential in any car of the future. 

Want to add futuristic features to your old beater?

Rayna's glad to finally have some cool new gear to help bring W.A.L.T.E.R. into the 21st century. One of our advisors will be happy to walk you through some suggestions for gear that'll make your old car feel like the DeLorean from Back to the Future (almost). Reach out via phone, email, or chat to get personalized recommendations based on your needs.