Becker Mexico Question.

[W108]

When did the Becker Mexico begin offering the cassette option?

Also would a Blaupunkt Koln be appropriate for a '69 280SEL? Thank you.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

The early Becker Mexico, introduced in the '50s, was a large, heavy, two-piece AM/FM tube radio, with a 'Wonder-Bar' signal seeking tuner. They were availible through the early '60s. In 1975, My dad bought a '60 220SE Fintail, with a working Becker Mexico, for $150. Shortly after, someone offered him twice what he paid for the car, just for that radio!

By the late '60s, the Becker Mexico had been downsized to a much smaller, two-piece transistorized signal-seeking AM/FM/cassette stereo. I believe the Mexico-Cassette was availible in a Mercedes until about 1980, at which time it was a $1500-$2000 option! The oldest Mercedes I've seen featuring one of these was a 1970 W114 250 sedan, though the Mexico-Cassette may have been availible a year or two earlier. I have one in my '72 250C.

Any of the late '60s through early '70s Becker and Blaupunkt radios would be appropriate for a '69 280SEL. However when one of those radios was installed in a Mercedes they were fitted with knobs that matched the other ones in the car, and a heavy chromed cast alloy faceplate, much heavier than the thin, stamped faceplates usually fitted in a Porsche, Volkswagen or BMW.

If you find a Becker or Blaupunkt for your SEL, make sure it has the correct Mercedes faceplate and knobs. This is a bigger issue with the Blaupunkts, as most of the Beckers I've seen came out of a Mercedes and already had the correct hardware. Also note that the Mercedes faceplates for the Becker and Blaupunkt won't interchange, so if you already have, say a Becker Europa in that SEL, but want to swap in a Blaupunkt Koln, you'll need the Blaupunkt faceplate too.

Another detail with the two-piece Becker Mexico is to make sure it comes with the separate amplifier box and mounting bracket and the multi-pin plug and connecting cable is undamaged. I've seen eBay vendors trying to sell these radios without the box or with the cable cut off!
You'll need to find someplace under the dash to mount the amp box. Usually the box was attached to the firewall, above the passenger footwell. Your car may even have factory cutouts or threaded inserts in the firewall to mount the box.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[W108]

That was very informative, thank you.

It seems the Blaupunkt Kolns are somewhat larger than the Becker Mexicos despite their DIN measurements? Also I understand the amp could have also been mounted in the area above the transmission tunnel, right below the Thermo King A/C unit?

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Originally Posted by W108

That was very informative, thank you.

It seems the Blaupunkt Kolns are somewhat larger than the Becker Mexicos despite their DIN measurements? Also I understand the amp could have also been mounted in the area above the transmission tunnel, right below the Thermo King A/C unit?

Both my '60 Fintail and my W114 250C have factory mounting holes above the passenger footwells for attaching the brackets for the Becker amp box. I haven't examined one of the two-piece Beckers in a W108 chassis, but if you can find room for the amp box, under or behind the AC unit, go for it. Just make sure it's secure and grounded.

As for oversized radios, I have a two-piece tube Becker Brescia for my Fintail. It's basically a signal-seeking, AM-only version of the tube Mexico and it's way too big to insert through the front of the dash. It has to be installed from behind and secured by the chrome faceplate, then the back of the radio is supported with a bracket to the heater box.

I also have an old Fintail tube Blaupunkt AM radio that's too big to pass through the dash, and must be installed from behind.

Because of your AC unit, if you decide on a Blaupunkt, look for one of the later transistor units that are slim enough to pass through your dash opening.

Happy Motoring, Mark