Classsic Becker Grand Prix FM/AM stereo radio for sale

Gary Knox

Gary Knox

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In about 1981, I removed a Classic Becker Grand Prix radio from the 1973 MB 450SL I had to install a cassette playing radio. Put the Grand Prix in a box and stored it in our climate controlled storage area of our house. A few days ago when I was cleaning out some stuff, I found the box and opened it. That complete radio and amplifier was inside the box, just as it had been when removed (it was operating fine, I just wanted to 'upgrade' - (ha) to a cassette playing Sony model).

As I was the 2nd owner of the 450SL, this is a 'two owner - lightly used - radio'. Since I no longer need this radio in storage, it is the perfect radio for a 'correct' early through mid '70's model MB or BMW. This was the absolute top of the line radio available in that era. Before I offer it on a MB site, I thought I'd make it available to my e9 Coupe friends. I can't really test it, unfortunately, but it worked perfectly until the day I disconnected and removed it. I also don't really know what it is worth - if interested, let me know what it's worth to you via a 'Conversation'. All I want is a fair offer and a fair price for the buyer!

Cheers,

Gary Knox
 

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Gary Knox said:
In about 1981, I removed a Classic Becker Grand Prix radio from the 1973 MB 450SL I had to install a cassette playing radio. Put the Grand Prix in a box and stored it in our climate controlled storage area of our house. A few days ago when I was cleaning out some stuff, I found the box and opened it. That complete radio and amplifier was inside the box, just as it had been when removed (it was operating fine, I just wanted to 'upgrade' - (ha) to a cassette playing Sony model).

As I was the 2nd owner of the 450SL, this is a 'two owner - lightly used - radio'. Since I no longer need this radio in storage, it is the perfect radio for a 'correct' early through mid '70's model MB or BMW. This was the absolute top of the line radio available in that era. Before I offer it on a MB site, I thought I'd make it available to my e9 Coupe friends. I can't really test it, unfortunately, but it worked perfectly until the day I disconnected and removed it. I also don't really know what it is worth - if interested, let me know what it's worth to you via a 'Conversation'. All I want is a fair offer and a fair price for the buyer!

Cheers,

Gary Knox
Click to expand...
This is tempting, Gary. My car had no radio when I bought it, but it does have a Grand Prix bracket mounted to the firewall under the dash. Which is to say, there was a Becker Grand Prix installed in the car at some point in its life - likely back in "period". But as you may recall, I have a very nice Blaupunkt Frankfurt radio that I am pretty jazzed about, which makes the idea of getting another radio start to sound like a new hobby. Not that I know anything about having a bunch of old radios around (I have at least 9 vintage tube radios in the house and my office)... ;)
 
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This radio is 7" wide, and the centerline of the shafts for the knobs are about 5 3/16" apart.

Yes, physically, the radio is excellent. The appearance when installed would be pristine/concours.

Gary
 
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Gary, I believe these all have a DIN mount and not shaft mount? Has anyone put one of these in a coupe as the amp needs to be mounted somewhere, not enough room behind the radio. These are beautiful radios.
 
It would be even sweeter if you had the optional cassette player that connected to the back of the radio via a DIN plug and cord. Most usually mounted the cassette player under the dash or in the glove box to conceal it.
shermanmartinez at hotmail dot com
 
The amplifier usually mounts on the passenger footwell wall above where your feet rest. There is often a bracket mounted there that holds the amp in place. My Becker rig was ordered with the car new and included the cassette player whis is still mounted in the glove box.


shermanmartinez said:
It would be even sweeter if you had the optional cassette player that connected to the back of the radio via a DIN plug and cord. Most usually mounted the cassette player under the dash or in the glove box to conceal it.
shermanmartinez at hotmail dot com
Click to expand...
 
Here's a photo of a bracket mounted as @Stevehose notes above. Years ago a forum member indicated that this particular bracket is for the Grand Prix amp unit.
20171202-amp bracket.jpg
 
Stevehose said:
The amplifier usually mounts on the passenger footwell wall above where your feet rest. There is often a bracket mounted there that holds the amp in place. My Becker rig was ordered with the car new and included the cassette player whis is still mounted in the glove box.
Click to expand...

I have a dead amp under driver seat. At least it is out of the way.
 
I'm pretty sure all Becker radios of same year used the same amplifier and dimensions, they weren't model specific.

autokunst said:
Here's a photo of a bracket mounted as @Stevehose notes above. Years ago a forum member indicated that this particular bracket is for the Grand Prix amp unit.
Click to expand...
 
Stevehose said:
I'm pretty sure all Becker radios of same year used the same amplifier and dimensions, they weren't model specific.
Click to expand...
Here's the post with an image to boot - the expert was @Wladek

mystery behind glove box

While poking around, I found something mounted to the inside of the firewall behind the glove box. I don't think it is original. Rather, I assume it is some aftermarket gadget that a PO had installed. Does anyone recognize what this thing is/was? Just curious.
www.e9coupe.com www.e9coupe.com
 
HB Chris said:
Gary, I believe these all have a DIN mount and not shaft mount? Has anyone put one of these in a coupe as the amp needs to be mounted somewhere, not enough room behind the radio. These are beautiful radios.
Click to expand...

Here is mine installed on my “DIN” faceplate and Blaupunkt “BMW” knobs. IIRC, the becker dimensions are a hair smaller than DIN, which is 180mm X 50mm. Per Gary, his radio is a little under 178mm. I made my face plate match the Becker and it fits nice and snug. I can pull the dimensions from the file, but they are the same as the case measurements.

6780A3DF-A18D-47A9-B034-BB51A9FE8DD2.jpeg


EE545D14-99B6-4BFC-BF3B-9BE33291ECE7.jpeg
 
Markos, did your radio come from a Mercedes? BMW units do not use that faceplate. Becket offered several different faceplates/configurations to fit the openings of various manufacturers.
shermanmartinez at hotmail dot com
 
shermanmartinez said:
Markos, did your radio come from a Mercedes? BMW units do not use that faceplate. Becket offered several different faceplates/configurations to fit the openings of various manufacturers.
shermanmartinez at hotmail dot com
Click to expand...

I’m not sure. I bought (traded) the radio specifically to make a face plate that matched it. I know that Becker offered traditional post style radios during the same time frame. @Stevehose educated me on that one. The radio being sold by @Gary Knox is a great option for someone with a cut up face plate.
 
Yes, it is stereo. As Mark states above, great for a cut up face plate (or one of Mark's aftermarket plates with the opening already there!

By the way, my 'estimate' of fair value to both the buyer and me is lower than that stated by Enoz!! Seems to me that ~$450 plus shipping is about right.

Cheers,

Gary
 
HB Chris said:
Can you share a pic of the correct faceplate?
Click to expand...

Chris, I am guessing you know this and it’s why you were asking, but just in case there is no BMW face plate for Becker. AFAIK the faceplate in Gary’s and Markos pictures are the ones that were used in BMW (albeit made for Mercedes).
 
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