The PO doesn't remember which one it was so if anyone knows what radio would have been installed in 71 please let me know. Thanks
Hello Jordan,
See what the datacard says
if there was a Becker Europa (very common) or something else. Have a look in our Wiki for the explanation of the codes.
If your car "came" with a Blaupunkt radio there will be the option code marked off that only the "interference suppression kit (less radio)", option codes 53/3 - 53/6, was ordered - very common, at least in Europe.
Becker units were just too expensive and Blaupunkt radios were only about a third of the price of the cheapest Becker.
As you certainly know, only Beckers were factory installed, all others (Blaupunkt, Telefunken, Grundig) were dealer installed on special request of the new owner.
The most common period Blaupunkt radios were Blaupunkt Köln (Cologne) with automatic station seeker, Blaupunkt Frankfurt (only push buttons, Blaupunkt's equivalent to the Becker Europa) ... and other cheaper units.
At the beginning of the 70ies there were no Blaupunkt tape player radios and no Stereo units. Don't know for sure when they started to sell those... and probably hard(er) to come by today.
If I were you ... swap in a good Becker (Europa) and fine.
While my 230SL came with virtually no options,
No problem at all; you can all retrofit these: tinted glass, power steering, Becker Grand Prix, seat belts, etc.
Not cheap but possible.
Good luck & best,
Achim