Period radio

[Chris1750]

From the Becker Europa II thread, I was interested to find out what radios were offered and fitted to Alfas around the late 60s and early 70s. In Australia the choices were sets from AWA, Ferris, Radiola, Sony, Sharp etc. but in Europe the brands seemed to be much more interesting. After surfing around the web a bit, the model that comes up repeatedly, in many guises, is the Blaupunkt Frankfurt. The set seems to have changed a little over the years of manufacture from early mono sets to stereo, from limited FM bands (88 - 100MHz) to wider bands (88 - 108MHz), from shaft fit to DIN, but overall have retained the classic construction (eg: metal faceplates), nice appearance and good sound.
I guess the Beckers were available for fitting to Alfas but I can find no references for this. They seemed to be prefered for German cars (eg: VW, Porsche, Mercedes etc.).
There also is a thriving industry in restoration and sale of these classic radios with some models commanding quite a premium.
I'm currently searching the world for a period radio for my 1750GTV to replace the defunct Sharp cassette player the occupies the slot. If you are interested, I'll let you know how I get on.
I've attached a photo of a Frankfurt set dating from about 1968/9 that I downloaded from a collectors site.
Regards,
Chris

[Roadtrip]

In the States, I believe radios were a dealer installed option, so it could have been just about anything.

[Il Vecchio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadtrip In the States, I believe radios were a dealer installed option, so it could have been just about anything.

[Chris1750]

The radios installed in Oz were also a Dealer selected option, no doubt as they were everywhere else in the world.
If you are restoring/renovating/renewing your classic European car, presumably you now have a choice as to the optional fitments. Wouldn't it be nicer to have a period European style radio instead of a local (non-European) Dealer selected option? If the answer is 'yes' then why not source the original European Dealer option. The Porsche/Mercedes/VW people seem to go to a lot of trouble in this respect, and I'd have thought that as a subset of European car owners, the Alfa crowd might be a cut above the rest As my wife reminds me, it's that little bit extra that show you really care
Anyone who wants a non-functioning plastic faceplated Sharp AM/FM radio cassette player dating from about 1980, let me know before the rubbish gets collected tonight.
I'm still looking for my Blaupunkt Frankfurt ......
Chris

[tomcotez]

I've just fitted a blaupunkt frankfurt to my '70 gtv from here:-

Autoradios]Autoradios Universal Blaupunkt Frankfurt Universalgerät Typ 8 Universal Blaupunkt Frankfurt Universalgerät Typ 8

It looks fantastic, the sound doesn't really matter as you can't hear anything over the wind and exhaust noise (!), but it seems good anyway. I got an ipod adapter at the same time, which runs to a din socket in the back, I fitted the input jack inside the ashtray, and it works great.

I'll try and find take some pics.

[ncundy]

The question of "what to fit ?" taxed me when I was considering the options for my Fanalone. I couldn't find out what the dealer fit option was, but a straw poll of various internet sites, speaking to owners and my own experience suggested that in mainland Europe the default was a Voxon unit of various descriptions for the Fulvia. However I do know of several cars of mid sixty's vintage which have Blaupunkt or Becker units fitted, and from all the evidence, probably from new.
I think it is reasonable to assume that as the cars (Lancia and Alfa's) weren't exactly cheap at the time and were both a slightly left field choice, the first owner would have been a rather discerning gentlemen (or lady ) with reasonably flush financials. They could (would?) have looked around at what radios were available on the market and specified to the dealer to fit "that one please my man". I took this approach - I have a 1969 car so what was available in 1969 ? Well if you had a bit of money in your pocket what would you have specified. Being a chap of good taste and appreciation of all things modern, Becker or Blaupunkt would be top of the list. I chose a Becker because it came along first - and it cost $50

[italiansedanman]

I am both a Becker fan and a big Mercedes enthusiast, but it irks me a little bit that all the Beckers seem to have Mercedes Benz knobs on them, possibly in an attempt to make them look absolutely at home in an MB dash?

It probably wont bother anyone who hasn't spent a lot of time behind the wheel of a sixties MB, but for me I wish I could find a Becker that doesn't have 'those' knobs!!

Pedantic ofcourse, but hey, detail is detail.

[dimitridodys]

Blaupunct made an AM/FM radio w/o cassette specifically for the GTV.

[turbolarespider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dimitridodys Blaupunct made an AM/FM radio w/o cassette specifically for the GTV.

[Il Vecchio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dimitridodys Blaupunct made an AM/FM radio w/o cassette specifically for the GTV.

[bill2000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbolarespider I have one with a cassette tape- do you have pictures of the one w/o? I've been tempted to refurbish the Blaupunct that I have with digital internals and re-install, but that would require a new dash... Eric

[howieb4]

One thing to note on european radios is their FM range. Euro radios stop at 104 and US radios go to 106 or 108. I had a mid 70's Blaupunkt Essen CR that only went to 104.

[dimitridodys]

Can't get my pictures uploaded. Perhaps I can e-mail them directly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Il Vecchio Cool! Any photos? Here's what's on the way to me- bought off of Ebay nearly a month ago, and is apparently inching it's way over from Germany. I had to go with a DIN vs. a rear mount due to my own dashboard butchery in the early 80s...

[Chris1750]

Quote:

Originally Posted by howieb4 One thing to note on european radios is their FM range. Euro radios stop at 104 and US radios go to 106 or 108. I had a mid 70's Blaupunkt Essen CR that only went to 104.

[emerald]

Here's what I believe is an original Becker in my '67. Currently blows a fuse when you turn it on, but I plan on figuring it out at some point.