Radio - early 250sl

[dum]

Dear friends,

I am about to finish the restoration of my early 250sl. Last issue is fitting a better radio.
Although not an originality freak i would not put a modern unit. My decision is to have a Becker with stereo output, even if not the correct one. And then add two speakers plus an ipod adapter.
I have found a Europa II, but my radio hole is smaller. If I just enlarge it will it otherwise fit? If this is the only drawback I will probably go for it.

(And, by the way, does anyone know how good the result might be in terms of sound)?

Many thanks,

[scoot]

Someone on one of the forums is fitting a small face to the front of a Europa II stereo.  I don't remember who, or even which forum.

[dum]

Thanks for the reply, i have seen it, but I would want to place it as it is.

It would be a good idea if I already had the smaler face...

So any advice to the initial question is still welcome.

[66andBlue]

In a 230SL the radio is held in place by a bracket on the back that slips over a ridge on the fire wall. Since the Europa II is shorter you cannot use the back bracket that comes with the larger mono radios and you will have to make one - not an easy task but can be done.  Here is one way for doing this:
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=9095.msg60115#msg60115.
The Europa II uses brackets on both sides to keep it in place but there is nothing in your 230SL to attach to.
Where do you want to mount the speakers? There is no hole in the panel in driver's foot well only on the passenger side.

[dum]

This is exactly the answer I needed, thanks alot.

I could not completely understand the solution described when following the link, but for sure I will have to improvise in order to support the radio at its back....

For the speakers, my idea would be the foot wells - I will try to see if I can simulate the original box with external speakers and "dress" them with the interior's leather. If this is not possible I will try a hidden solution, unfortunately not in the back panels, as I have a jump seat installed at the right one.
All ideas still welcome....

Many thanks.

[jameshoward]

My experiences are, in part, here: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=7823.0

I have a Europa II and it's secured by a 'bracket' (piece of metal with holes drilled at set points throughout its length) that secured to the back of the radio and is held in place by attaching it to the bolt that holds the dash in place behind the radio (I think that's what it is - it's been a while since I've been in there) into the firewall. The bolt goes through a rubber shock-absorbing dampener of some sort (correct name eludes be at present) and it holds the radio in place well enough, although it's probably not 'correct.' It is a pain to secure it though.

JH