Author Topic: Original Radio  (Read 2489 times)

OldGuard60

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Original Radio
« on: August 09, 2022, 19:55:30 »
I have a 1971 280SL Data Card (Version 4) for my vehicle and I am trying to figure out what the original radio was that came with it.  I can't figure out where it states this on the data card.  Can someone direct me to where I can find this. 
Thanks in advance.
OG60

Charles 230SL

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Re: Original Radio
« Reply #1 on: August 09, 2022, 20:25:48 »
hello OldGuard, Go to Option Codes at: https://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/OptionCodes.

Scroll down to Boxes 510 - 519 and you'll see Option Codes for the various radios:
510   Radio Becker Mexico (Olympia with stereo-cassette)
511   Radio Becker Mexico (LMKU)
512   Radio Becker Europa cassette
513   Radio Becker Europa stereo, USA
514   Radio Becker Europa LMKU (LW, AM, SW, FM)
515   Radio Becker AM, FM, USA
516   Radio Becker Grand Prix (LMKU)
517   Radio Becker Monte Carlo
518   Radio Becker Europa stereo
519   Radio Becker Grand Prix, USA

Find box 51 on your data card and match that particular digit with the 3rd digit in the list above; i.e, if there's a "5" in box 51 of your data card, your car was equipped with a Becker AM, FM, USA (option code 515)
« Last Edit: August 09, 2022, 20:30:23 by Charles 230SL »

MikeSimon

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Re: Original Radio
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2022, 00:00:36 »
It is also possible that the car did not have a factory installed radio, but a dealer installed (e.g: Blaupunkt) unit. Your data card may show radio preparation but no Becker unit installed.
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

mbpaul

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Re: Original Radio
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2022, 01:03:43 »
If no radio was installed, there will just be a dash under the 51.  Many cars were shipped without a radio and the dealer would install them here.

OldGuard60

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Re: Original Radio
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2022, 01:05:47 »
Thank you very much.   All of you guys are awesome.

Found it on the Data Card.  It has a "3" in box [51] so it's a Radio Becker Europa stereo, USA.

Does anyone have the exact Model # I should be looking at for it?  I want to make sure I find the correct one.  I see different "Becker Europa" radios (some Model ll, etc.), made in Mexico, etc.
« Last Edit: August 10, 2022, 02:49:06 by OldGuard60 »

mdsalemi

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Re: Original Radio
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2022, 14:38:06 »
Thank you very much.   All of you guys are awesome.

Found it on the Data Card.  It has a "3" in box [51] so it's a Radio Becker Europa stereo, USA.

Does anyone have the exact Model # I should be looking at for it?  I want to make sure I find the correct one.  I see different "Becker Europa" radios (some Model ll, etc.), made in Mexico, etc.

Haha. It's not "Made in Mexico", but Mexico was the model name, just like Becker's other radio names such as Europa, Grand Prix, etc. Blaupunkt had names such as Frankfurt, Koln, Munster, etc.

Call Ed Ebel at https://www.beckerautosound.com/classic-becker-radios and he will be able to identify what you should be looking for and may even have a rebuilt to sell you.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid

OldGuard60

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Re: Original Radio
« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2022, 15:54:27 »
Lol.  Thanks.  Newbie.

GM

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Re: Original Radio
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2022, 16:54:59 »
I went through this with getting the correct radio for my '71.
Depending on how detailed you want to be, here are the date codes for Becker that was posted on the Forum earlier.
Note that Becker Europa Stereo is different from Becker Europa II Stereo - it may just be a different faceplate
Gary
1971 280SL - Sold
(98 from the end of production)
DB180 Silver Gray Metallic
Black MB Tex

OldGuard60

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Re: Original Radio
« Reply #8 on: August 12, 2022, 14:34:43 »
Sooo, I'm guessing I want the Becka Europa Stereo.  I want to make sure I get the same radio as came with the original car. 

MikeSimon

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Re: Original Radio
« Reply #9 on: August 12, 2022, 17:40:00 »
As far as I remember some Becker models had different band selector buttons for different markets. The popular "Langwelle" band in Europe "L" button was not available for US models...or something.
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

66andBlue

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Re: Original Radio
« Reply #10 on: August 12, 2022, 18:47:05 »
Sooo, I'm guessing I want the Becka Europa Stereo.  I want to make sure I get the same radio as came with the original car. 
Take a look here and you'll see a picture of the Becker Europa Stereo (USA). It has a separate amplifier that needs to be mounted in the passenger footwell. Is the bracket for it still in your car?
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Radio
The Europa II Stereo was introduced after the last W113 and is a single unit and therefore much easier to install.
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

GM

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Re: Original Radio
« Reply #11 on: August 12, 2022, 19:45:14 »
Becker Europa Stereo USA is AM/FM - no LMKU, etc.
For the record, I have a reconditioned separate Becker amplifier for sale if you are interested.
Gary
1971 280SL - Sold
(98 from the end of production)
DB180 Silver Gray Metallic
Black MB Tex

MikeSimon

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Re: Original Radio
« Reply #12 on: August 12, 2022, 23:45:57 »
Again, I thought, the separate amplifier was a band related unit, not necessary for the normal function but to receive certain bands, like kw - short wave...
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

OldGuard60

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Re: Original Radio
« Reply #13 on: August 15, 2022, 15:45:56 »
I don't know honestly.  I haven't looked.  It has a Blaupunkt (spel?) in it now, but I want to get the original radio back in it.

OldGuard60

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Re: Original Radio
« Reply #14 on: August 15, 2022, 15:46:55 »
Thanks for that.

lreppond

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Re: Original Radio
« Reply #15 on: August 15, 2022, 20:15:19 »
The original Europa Stereo, USA version came with BC(AM) and FM frequencies and was offered as a factory installed option for your year car.  These radios always came with a separate amplifier.  Later, after w113 production ceased, Becker offered a Europa II stereo, USA version with AM /FM frequencies.  At first it had a separate amplifier but soon it was made with an integrated one as well.  The only Becker stereo that would have been offered as a factory option was the first iteration: the Becker Europa Stereo.  The Grand Prix stereo which I have in my car was a dealer available option in 1971 but not a factory installed option. (European delivered cars had other radio options available.)

There are plenty of Europa II’s available but not as many of the Europa Stereo, USA version your car had originally. 

BTW, Scoot and AaronH are the two on this forum that really have a great working knowledge of the various Becker radios available at the time.
 
~Len

1971 280 SL
576G red/251 Beige
4 speed manual
Family owned since new (father —> son)

OldGuard60

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Re: Original Radio
« Reply #16 on: August 16, 2022, 12:20:24 »
Thanks for that info.  Very helpful.