Becker Mexico radio knob project

[250 Coupe]

Somehow I managed to give away or lose the knobs to a functioning Becker Mexico I pulled from the 450SEL. I'm wanting to put it in the 300SD, Alex fell in love with the design as soon as he saw it. The Grand Prix that came with the car isn't his cup of tea and doesn't power on.

I think I'd like to try my hand at casting replacement knobs but need a set to make molds from. Does anyone have a set they'd loan for the project?

Michael

[Idle]

These show up on Ebay from time to time. That might be the easiest way to get a set.

Don't forget the tone adjustment arm that goes under the knob.

[250 Coupe]

I’ve seen knobs at $40. Each. And a faceplate plus knob set at $250 IIRC. That’s a bit more than I’d like to spend.

I will keep an eye out for less expensive options but might have to figure out 123D cad or SketchUp to get this moving for now. I have printed volume/tuning knobs, it’s the tone/AM selectivity knobs that are the struggle.

I had 2 full sets but must have sent them to a forum member when I sold him the Europa in 2016.

Michael

[vwnate1]

Becker Radio has a presence on the East Coast, they were able to set me up with brandy new correct speakers for my '84 300TD, maybe if you contact them they'll sell you reproduction radio knobs ? .

FWIW, once you have a good functioning radio dash unit, it's a simple thing to add a hidden amplifier to push better (mostly LOUDER) sound out....

Looks nice and sounds good .

[250 Coupe]

I’ve checked out Becker USA and will contact them soon.

The Mexico, at least as installed in a ‘76 450SEL, has an external amplifier. It’s probably not much more than 14 watts since it’s running at B+ instead of a more modern DC to DC converter amp but its probably more watts that an all in one and maybe cleaner.

The ‘76 280C had around $3k worth of gear that took me about 45 hours to install in the early 2000’s. 2 way component speakers (MB Quart?) in custom kick panels with cloth over fiberglass covers and Boston Acoustic 6X9’s in the rear, also covered with fabric over fiberglass. Add in a 10” Rockford Fosgate in a 10” deathbox ported enclosure plus active crossovers and I’d say it qualified for loud. Only thing visible was the head unit.

Now that I’m 60 and just a dB or two from an OSHA recordable hearing loss, loud isn’t as important as good looking and useful.

Michael

[filp]

Which Becker Mexico model exactly? I have two spare knobs, but for later one from W123. BE599 I believe.

Also, I can buy your old Grand Prix radio for parts.

Edit: sorry, the knobs I have are for Europa 599

[nastala]

maybe 3d printing with some kind of surface work (paint or whatever else) would also do it? some kind of SLA printing to get small layers and to not melt in the hot sun.

[vwnate1]

Yes, many had external amplifiers, the cool thing is : they'll still work just fine without that .

I have a box full of 1980's & early 1990's vintage Becker Electronic radios, I use them in whatever old nail I'm driving sans the amplifier .

Mind you hearing ! when it's gone life changes dramatically .

I just bought new fancy-schmancy hearing aids and can hear a whole lot more but most speech is still garbled to me .

[250 Coupe]

It’s too late for my hearing, I’ve lost a bunch of high end and have tinnitus. The boy mentioned that the rear brakes were squealing and I heard nothing.

I whined at the co-worker that does all of our drawings (not really a draftsman but more engineer/programmer) about needing the knobs. His response was just draw them in SketchUp. A bit more whining on my part and he had a functional knob drawn and sliced in 20 minutes. We guessed on length and thickness so it’s way not the right size but it’s a start. I’ll continue my search for a pattern to make a mold from but at least I can get the radio installed and fully functional.

Michael

[250 Coupe]

As for model number, the label on the radio says VST-811.

It’s a Mexico cassette with auto seek tuning and no presets.

[vwnate1]

Sounds like you're on the right path .

I hear you about the loss of hearing, I have terrible tinnitus and haven't heard a vacuum leak in decades ~ everyone always complains I have the radio too loud .

[filp]

Originally Posted by vwnate1

Yes, many had external amplifiers, the cool thing is : they'll still work just fine without that .

I have a box full of 1980's & early 1990's vintage Becker Electronic radios, I use them in whatever old nail I'm driving sans the amplifier .

Mind you hearing ! when it's gone life changes dramatically .

I just bought new fancy-schmancy hearing aids and can hear a whole lot more but most speech is still garbled to me .

Wanna sell some? looking for a faceplate for 1492...my display is bad

[vwnate1]

Talk to me off line, I have a few face plates I saved .

E-Mail me a photo of your face plate and I'll see if I have one .

[250 Coupe]

Becker Autosound came back with $30 for a set of used knobs. I'll report back when they arrive. I'm still thinking I should pull molds from them at some point just for fun but it might be a while. Took me a year to plumb and wire all 3 tanks on the '74 F250 so I could change tanks with a switch on the dash.

Michael