[BMWCSRegistry] Period Passable Radio for 3.0CSi (w/new speakers)

[Len Soccolich]

Seems to be some variation in the type of radio supplied with US  
coupes. Was this dealer dependent? I've grown accustomed to the  
shortcomings of AC, heat, and audio in vintage cars, although I drove  
the coupe yesterday and the heater did the trick. Then again, it  
wasn't that cold... I remember installing an Alpine sound system in  
my '81 911— a car I purchased right after college—and not even  
thinking about cutting into the door panels or the rear deck. I could  
kick myself now because I still have the car! I'd rather live with  
the hiss and crackle of the original radio than cut into precious  
door panels and other interior parts!

On Oct 28, 2007, at 2:27 PM, the-hound at juno.com wrote:

> That is interesting Len:
>
> I have a '74 also.  My Coupe has the rear speakers mounted in the  
> kick panels below the rear seats, the center dash speaker and under  
> the dash on the driver and passenger sides in the lower dash foot  
> panels area but not on the sides panels.  It is Blaupunkt Frankford  
> but the cassette part is not working correctly at this time.  My  
> concern has been, if I should repair the radio or replace, I would  
> love to keep it original.  But I would love to have a pre-amp and  
> better speakers mounted for a better sound, also a CD player.  I am  
> not looking for 450 amps output like some cars today.........just a  
> better options, sound and volume.
>
> Sometimes the sweet engine hummmmmm makes up for the lack of music  
> sounds on open roads/beltways in my area.
>
> Have a nice day everyone.
>
> The-Hound............In the Last Colony!!!!!!!!!
>
> -- Len Soccolich <lensoccolich at mac.com> wrote:
> My '74 CS has a Becker Grand Prix radio and Jensen rear shelf
> speakers installed by the original owner who was a BMW dealer...
>
> On Oct 27, 2007, at 5:43 PM, Jonathan Blanc wrote:
>
> > Mike,
> >
> > Blaupunkt Frankford is the radio that was installed in most USA
> > coupes.  This radio is nicknamed the "blue dot" because of the blue
> > dot on the acrylic front faceplate.  Old auto radio is a good place
> > but very expensive ($600 and up).  I bought a mint (but refurbished)
> > blue dot radio
> > from a guy out in California for $225.  If you like I can give  
> you his
> > email.  He is very reputable and when I told him that my radio  
> wasn't
> > working he offered me money back on the spot.  I said that I would
> > keep it and install a hidden new digital radio in the glove
> > compartment.  If you want decent sound you will have to do this  
> hidden
> > installation anyway because neither the Becker nor Blaupunkt period
> > radio boards can support strong sound with their weak components.
> > And if
> > you are getting your car in "show" condition then you definately  
> need
> > a "blue dot" radio.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Jonathan
> >
> >
> > On 10/27/07, Mike Valentine <mike at valentine1.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Hi Everybody,
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> My '72 3.0 CSi project needs a new radio since the one installed
> >> in it is
> >> not of the period and is pretty crummy.  And, the existing
> >> speakers on the
> >> parcel shelf are not of this Earth!
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I'm looking around at reclaimed Blaupunkt and Becker radios at
> >> places like
> >> http://www.oldautoradio.com .
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I'm sort of partial to Becker because I seem to remember that they
> >> were
> >> considered higher quality than Blaupunkt at the time and a car as
> >> expensive
> >> as an E9 ought not to have a "cheap" radio installed.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Also, I'm curious as to others' opinions about speaker styles and
> >> placements
> >> for an E9.  It seems that 6x9 ovals on the back shelf are popular,
> >> but I'm
> >> open to all thoughtful suggestions.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Would any of you please offer period-appearing E9 audio advice?
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Cheers,
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Mike
> >>
> >> #2261995 in restoration
> >>
> >> Cincinnati, USA
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
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