What does Kenny's dad buy to make their trip south more enjoyable? How is this detai different from what you would expect in a novel set in modern times?

His father buys a radio and installs it in the car. This in hopes that this will keep the passengers occupied and have a good time. In oppossed to modern times, cars already have radios, passengers have phones, tablets, and dvd's that they can occupy themselves with while driving long distances.