stock radio for 65 220b

[dillonkbase]

just trying to find out which radio was stock in the 65 220 series- i have a b thanks - i need to fill a certain hole in my dash

[Mark DiSilvestro]

The Becker Europa, followed by the Blaupunkt Frankfurt series of mono AM?FM units are probably the most common and popular original-equipment Fintail radios. My '66 Fintail 230 came with a transistor Blaupunkt pushbutton AM radio. By '65 they should all be transistor-chassis units. There were several different German AM, AM/FM, and 4-band radios installed in '60s Mercedes. The fanciest had signal-seeking automatic tuners. But the shallow dash opening, and configuration of the dash wood and chrome trim in the Fintail, requires a slim Fintail radio faceplate to fit properly. If you're really concerned about correctness, the radio knobs should also match the other dash knobs on your Fintail.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[dillonkbase]

so the faceplate is different than the standard europa facing

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Originally Posted by dillonkbase

so the faceplate is different than the standard europa facing

When I tried to fit an early-'70s Europa to my '60 220Sb, the radio case fit through the opening, but the later DIN-size chrome faceplate rode up over the raised part of the wood dash and over the chromed strip on the bottom. A dead, mid-'60s Fintail Europa, donated by a friend, contributed the correct faceplate and knobs, and with a bit of swapping and modifying, I was able to make the early '70s Becker look right in my Fintail's dash. However, if I had a magic wand, the 'ultimate radio' in my car would be a working Becker Mexico signal-seeking AM/FM tube-radio, like the one that was in my Dad's '60 220SEb Fintail, so many years ago.

By the mid-'60s, I believe the ultimate Mercedes Becker was the transistorised 4-band AM/FM/SW/LW Grand-Prix signal-seeking radio, like Dad had in the Euro '66 250SE, that replaced his 220SEb Fintail.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[Tony H]

Does your car require the narrow faceplate radio such as the 111 coupe uses? If so I have a correct early Becker Grand Prix I may sell. Let me know If you are interested.
Tony

[dillonkbase]

well it is a 65 220B so I assume it would require that slim plate---ill get some measurments by tommorow hopefully i get the chance. If so I prolly will be in the market for a slimstyle radio if I could get more data on the grand prix---its measurements, and a few photos---(and the last time it was working)? thanks mark thanks tony

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Note that the correct faceplate just fits in the space between the raised part of the dash-wood and the lower chrome strip.

The typical Fintail-vintage radios, even the transistorised ones, are way too bulky to fit through the the opening from the front. They install from behind the dash, and the faceplate attaches to the front to secure them in place. If you have a hang-on AC unit, you'll need to move it out of the way. The larger Beckers also had a rear-support brace that needs to be bolted to a bracket on the heater.

Finally, If you want to install one of the old Becker tube radios, those were wired to a separate vibrator/power-supply box, that was screwed to a bracket bolted to the firewall behind the glovebox.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[Tony H]

I measured the chrome frame on my radio. Inside: 1 3/4 X 6 7/8
outside: 7 1/16 X 1 7/8. I bought it to install in my 3.5 coupe and later got the correct radio with the larger knobs.
If interested send me a PM and I will send some pix and more info.

[dillonkbase]

just need a little time