Becker radio

[paults1]

Is there a Becker radio that does not have the seperate amplifier that will fit in an '63 230SL?

Paul, 1963 230SL

[pauldridge]

Paul,

I just purchased a used Becker Europa (mono) radio for my 230SL... It fits perfectly, and works great... all in one unit, no separate amp.  However, it appears that my dash opening has been hacked on a bit by PO to install his Sony unit with the neon lights, so I can't absolutely confirm if this unit will fit without mod.  I believe it is a standard DIN opening.  If you measure your opening, I can check the spare mounting blank I have and advise you
Phil

230SL, 59 Jag MK IX, 65 Stingray Roadster, 89 Carrera Cabriolet

[ja17]

Hello Paul,

I believe you can just exchange the front section and just attach it to a later Becker (no amp) and install as usual.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[BABAK]

I think its better to use the  becker that has the amp eighter seperate or attached. You wont hear the becker mono in a convertable.Not loud enough.

[philmas]

Be careful to choose the right sized radio, as the opening is smaller on early 230.The Becker europa comes in two sizes anyway.
If I remember well, the Europa and Grand prix (mono version) do not have a separate amplifier, unlike the stereo version.

Philippe from Paris
'71 280SL manual 4sp

[al_lieffring]

quote:Originally posted by ja17

Hello Paul,

I believe you can just exchange the front section and just attach it to a later Becker (no amp) and install as usual.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

That is what I had done back when I fist got my 66 SL, I put the smaller face plate of the original Grand Prix and the smaller dia. knobs on a later transistorised Europa mono radio. I may have had to file the holes a little bit, the centers of the tuner and volume shafts are slightly wider.



 


Al Lieffring
66 230Sl
a-cheesin with a new 85 l. tank

[waltklatt]

Al, Joe, the early radio tuner knobs(the chromed thumb handle) will not fit the later style radio shafts as they are too short once the earlier faceplate is fitted.  The plastic knobs will fit easily but no room for the chrome thumb knobs.
Walter
1967 220SL-diesel

[J. Huber]

I can't help much more except to confirm that the early opening was smaller. Mine has a later Becker (Europa II) that fits only because of a previous "snip-job" to fit a modern hi-fi. I switched it back and am really glad I did. Works great, looks great.



James
63 230SL

[al_lieffring]

quote:Originally posted by waltklatt

Al, Joe, the early radio tuner knobs(the chromed thumb handle) will not fit the later style radio shafts as they are too short once the earlier faceplate is fitted.  The plastic knobs will fit easily but no room for the chrome thumb knobs.
Walter
1967 220SL-diesel

Walt

The "chrome thumb" knobs that you are describing sound like the ones that would have been on a 220s pontoon body car, the radio knobs that were on a 230sl would be the same size and shape as the pre 1968 heater fan control knob but attach with a set screw to the radio shaft,
1968-on cars had larger diameter knobs most of these are a slip on fit but some of the earliest ones have a set screw mounting.

I will try dig one of each out and post a photo if I can find them

Al Lieffring
66 230Sl
a-cheesin with a new 85 l. tank

[ja17]

Hello Walter,

I am thinking only the Blaupunkt radios had the chrome swing type knobsbut not sure?

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[fla230sl]

Paul - Regarding your Nov 11 post, I also just purchased a Becker Europa Mono radio (on ebay)to replace an old European version Blaupunkt.  But it does not fit.  The radio chassis fits in the hole fine.  But the faceplate of the radio fits to a bigger part of the radio that won't go in the hole.  The hole is 1 3/4" tall and the radio is 2 1/16" tall.  It looks like I may need to cut the hole slightly bigger.  What does your mounting blank measure?  Thanks

Jack Schmidt

[ja17]

Hello Jack,

You can get the smaller front section ("TR" type) from Becker. It will attach to the later radio. When you change this you should not have to modify your dash opening.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio