Original Radio

[OldGuard60]

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]

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)

[MikeSimon]

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.

[mbpaul]

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]

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.

[mdsalemi]

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.

[OldGuard60]

Lol.  Thanks.  Newbie.

[GM]

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

[OldGuard60]

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]

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.

[66andBlue]

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.

[GM]

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.

[MikeSimon]

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...

[OldGuard60]

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]

Thanks for that.

[lreppond]

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.
 

[OldGuard60]

Thanks for that info.  Very helpful.