Radio Advice

[TOM250SL]

Hi Everyone.

I'm beginning to ponder interior restoration of my '66 250SL and before I go all in, I figure I should also replace the after-market stereo/cassette that was in the car when I bought it (see attached first photo).  Of note are the cuts in the dash panel, exposed fasteners and NO cigarette lighter.  Based on my data plate radio reference number (515) the original radio would have been a Becker AM/FM USA. A couple of questions I could use help with:
1.  Did all 113's have cigarette lighters? I haven't seen any pics of dashes without them.
2.  See the attached second photo of a Becker USA Radio - I believe this is the correct radio. Can anyone confirm?

Thanks in advance for any comments.

[GM]

First stop might be your build plate in the engine compartment to see if the car came with a radio from the factory (vs dealer installed):
510 Radio Becker Mexico (Olympia with stereo-cassette)
511 Radio Becker Mexico, cassette, full stereo
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
517 Radio Becker Monte Carlo
518 Radio Becker Europa stereo
519 Radio Becker Grand Prix, USA

[scoot]

1.  Did all 113's have cigarette lighters? I haven't seen any pics of dashes without them.
2.  See the attached second photo of a Becker USA Radio - I believe this is the correct radio. Can anyone confirm?

1.  Yes.  And you can buy the replacement panel for the one that has been hacked up.
2.  No.  That is absolutely NOT the correct radio.  You would have a Europa TG or a Europa TR with the SMALL FACE.    Read about it here:  https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Radio 

[scoot]

This is what your radio should look like (if you get a Europa TR). The TR has a separate amplifier not shown in the picture.

[TOM250SL]

Thanks for your input.  Scott thanks for sending a pic of the radio.  I have to say though that I'm confused as to why it should be the Europa TR.  My build plate does have the 515 code, which is why I assume it should be the Becker USA.

[scoot]

Thanks for your input.  Scott thanks for sending a pic of the radio.  I have to say though that I'm confused as to why it should be the Europa TR.  My build plate does have the 515 code, which is why I assume it should be the Becker USA.

No no no.  The radio pictured is from about 1972.  6 button Europas are wrong.   Plus they are big-chassis, not small chassis and face like you need for your car.   In your year, the only AM/FM Becker options would be the TR or the TG, but most importantly, it must have the small face.  This does not contradict the 515 code - the AM/FM Becker for that year would be a TR or TG.  The radio on Becker USA (which has no connection with the original Becker) is a MUCH later radio.  And it has big knobs.  You need small knobs, small faceplate.  Choices are a Europa TR (AM/FM or 4 band), Europa TG (same choices), Mexico TR, and Grand Prix TR. 

[scoot]

First stop might be your build plate in the engine compartment to see if the car came with a radio from the factory (vs dealer installed):
510 Radio Becker Mexico (Olympia with stereo-cassette)
511 Radio Becker Mexico, cassette, full stereo
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
517 Radio Becker Monte Carlo
518 Radio Becker Europa stereo
519 Radio Becker Grand Prix, USA

List corrected for what would be available in 1966.

[GM]

Becker Radio Model History (per http://www.blackforestllc.com/becker/)

[scoot]

Becker Radio Model History (per http://www.blackforestllc.com/becker/)

Unfortunately useless since it doesn't cover the appropriate year.   All I can say is Europa TR, and I'm fairly confident that I am correct.

[Charles 230SL]

..All I can say is Europa TR, and I'm fairly confident that I am correct.

I agree, the 515 AM/FM (USA) option code would be a Europa TR. I have an early 64 230SL with option code 515, which for Mar-Apr 1964 would be a Europa TG. The transition from Europa TGs to TRs took place during 1964. 

[66andBlue]

Thanks for your input.  Scott thanks for sending a pic of the radio.  I have to say though that I'm confused as to why it should be the Europa TR.  My build plate does have the 515 code, which is why I assume it should be the Becker USA.

To be absolutely sure in addition to paint plate code 515 we need to know your VIN. Is it before or after 002980?

[TOM250SL]

No, my VIN is after that - 0133xx

[66andBlue]

I believe we are not on the same page, only 5196 250SLs were made: https://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/USModelYear
If your VIN was before 113 043 002980 then the radio should have the small knobs and it is mounted on a separate cover plate. In that case just follow scoot's recommendation.
For a later VIN the radio should have the larger knobs and it is inserted into a standard DIN cut-out.

[TOM250SL]

thank you 66andBlue

[scoot]

Just to confuse things a little, here is a picture of the WRONG Europa TR.  Do not get this.  Get the one like in my picture above.  (In reply #3)

[mazmonza]

I have a Europa Courier on my early 250, I now it is not for my car what year is it from?

[mazmonza]

That should read  Europa Kurier, I can't find a reference, any help please.

Maurice

[114015]

70ies, surely not for the Pagoda anymore.
About 1974 and later.
Depends on the code and serial number on the label of the radio. To be checked.
Then it can be deciphered when exactly it was made.

Achim
(BeckerEuropaStereo&GrandPrixStereoaficionado)

[scoot]

That should read  Europa Kurier, I can't find a reference, any help please.

Is that the low-end AM only radio?

[66andBlue]

Could be mono or stereo depending on the year, but not low-end for sure. Have look here for mono:
https://www.koenigs-klassik-radios.de/en/car-radios/mercedes-benz/becker-europa-kurier-pin-stripe-design-for-mercedes-benz_10110_1023
http://www.radio-classics.com/en/becker-europa-kurier-bec-n-583223

Stereo:
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/becker_europa_cassette_vollstereo_kurier_591.html
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BECKER-663-EUROPA-KURIER-RADIO-CASSETTE-MERCEDES-W-107-123-126-PORSCHE-FERRARI/324321497276

[mazmonza]

Thank you for the information, mine is mono with the pinstripe face,
it looks right so i will stick with it.
Does anyone know who in the UK is good to restore these radios.

Maurice

[Pawel66]

Chrome of London.
Very good experience with them.

[scoot]

Chrome of London.

Yet their website shows a picture of the WRONG Europa TR...  See post #14 above.

[Pawel66]

I am sure you are right. But for me what matters most is not necessarily originality advise, but rather technical skills and customer service.