Looking for Becker Grand Prix for 230SL

[Sead]

Hello,

Im looking for slim face version of Becker Grand Prix for my 64 230SL.
I prefer trade for some of my parts Im selling.

Sead

[scoot]

I have one that I would think of as my most valuable radio.  Why do you want that particular radio (rather than a Europa TG for example...)?

[Sead]

I have one that I would think of as my most valuable radio.  Why do you want that particular radio (rather than a Europa TG for example...)?

My 230SL was delivered with this model. Code 516 Radio Becker Grand Prix (LMKU).

regards
Sead

[scoot]

Alas, mine is an LMU...

[Pastarnac]

I have a Becker Grand Prix Slim Face, all transistors. This was refurbished with :
- New bulbs
- New electrolytic caps in the radio and amplifier
- Oiled
- Wunderbar adjusted

Works like a champ on both FM and AM. The Wunderbar works as intended. The red stereo bulb turns on on major stations. Beautiful chrome, very good condition knobs and levers.

Only flaw is the dial face is cracked and most likely does not belong to this model. This is an AM/FM version for US market while the face is from a LMKU for European market.

I am looking at $700 + shipping, fixed price. I know is a lot of money but do your research to see how much they are  going for. This was top of the line, bar none for that period. If you want the best, this is it.


Regards,
Ovi

[scoot]

I have a Becker Grand Prix Slim Face, all transistors. This was refurbished with :
...

I _strongly_ don't believe that is an authentic slim face model.  The faceplate is incorrect and just is wrong, it should have small knobs, etc.  There is no such thing as a slim-face Grand Prix Stereo.  Stereo wasn't available then.  This is a hack, sorry.  It's cool but it is not authentic.  Who refurbished it?

[DaveB]

My 230SL was delivered with this model. Code 516 Radio Becker Grand Prix (LMKU).

This would be a rarely-specified top of the range option, very expensive at the time.

I agree with Scott that Ovi's radio would not be correct. It's rounded bezel indicates I believe W111/W112, and stereo suggests post-'67/'68 ish. Certainly a nice radio but not what your car was delivered with.

Now, would that original 1964 radio have been a tube TG, or transistor TR? More likely TR I think but I don't know the changeover date. It's likely that both would be assigned code 516 so that number probably won't help. Here's a picture of what I believe may be the right radio, for sale at oldtimerautoradio.nl. It's in good, not great, cosmetic condition. There will be others out there if you have the time and patience..

[scoot]

Now, would that original 1964 radio have been a tube TG, or transistor TR? More likely TR I think but I don't know the changeover date.

I think the change from the Europa TG to the Europa TR was 1965, maybe 1966...  Someone probably on sl113.org cleverly found a mapping between the serial numbers (first letter) and corresponding year of production, but I seem to not be able to find that...

[Iconic]

...  Someone probably on sl113.org cleverly found a mapping between the serial numbers (first letter) and corresponding year of production, but I seem to not be able to find that...

I found this somewhere in my searches, I don't really know how accurate it is, but I have never seen anything to dispute it.
Please see picture.

[scoot]

I found this somewhere in my searches, I don't really know how accurate it is, but I have never seen anything to dispute it.

Yeah, that's the chart.  Lots of my radios are missing the stickers so it's difficult to tell.  I have a Mexico TR that starts with F - I suppose that's possible for 1969...

[66andBlue]

I think the change from the Europa TG to the Europa TR was 1965, maybe 1966...  Someone probably on sl113.org cleverly found a mapping between the serial numbers (first letter) and corresponding year of production, but I seem to not be able to find that...

Yes, "someone" ("BMB") on the German W113 site researched that but only for radios installed in cars delivered in Germany. His verdict is the following (translated):
Until September 1964 only tube radios of type Europa TG, Mexico and Grand Prix TG were delivered.
After October 1964 the transistor radios Europa TR, Mexico TR and the top of the line Grand Prix became available.
Thus for Sead's 1964 car with a 516 code a Grand Prix TG could be correct depending on the delivery date.

Unfortunately what the factory installed in cars exported to the USA under code 515 is not known. It is very likely that it was a Europa MU (AM/FM).
We should not forget that the primary partner for everything electrical in Mercedes cars was Bosch. That is the reason why Studebaker/MB dealers preferentially installed the Bosch Blaupunkt radios in 1964; MERCEDES-BENZ of North America (MBNA) was registered on March 15, 1965.

In another post "Charles 230SL" (https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=32090.0) wrote that his DataCard shows option code 515 (Radio Becker, AM, FM, USA) for his early 1964 230SL. Afaik, that would be the earliest date that code was used.

[Sead]

Yes, "someone" ("BMB") on the German W113 site researched that but only for radios installed in cars delivered in Germany. His verdict is the following (translated):
Until September 1964 only tube radios of type Europa TG, Mexico and Grand Prix TG were delivered.
After October 1964 the transistor radios Europa TR, Mexico TR and the top of the line Grand Prix became available.
Thus for Sead's 1964 car with a 516 code a Grand Prix TG could be correct depending on the delivery date.

Unfortunately what the factory installed in cars exported to the USA under code 515 is not known. It is very likely that it was a Europa MU (AM/FM).
We should not forget that the primary partner for everything electrical in Mercedes cars was Bosch. That is the reason why Studebaker/MB dealers preferentially installed the Bosch Blaupunkt radios in 1964; MERCEDES-BENZ of North America (MBNA) was registered on March 15, 1965.

In another post "Charles 230SL" (https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=32090.0) wrote that his DataCard shows option code 515 (Radio Becker, AM, FM, USA) for his early 1964 230SL. Afaik, that would be the earliest date that code was used.

Thats some great news on this. Delivery date of my car was March 64. Means I need Grand Prix TG as you write. And is a "german" car.

[DaveB]

Until September 1964 only tube radios of type Europa TG, Mexico and Grand Prix TG were delivered.
After October 1964 the transistor radios Europa TR, Mexico TR and the top of the line Grand Prix became available.

Thanks Alfred, and BMB.
That clarifies for me what's correct for my May 1965 - TR.
But I liked your stealth stereo. Did you sell that with the car or swap it into your new 230?