Hi!
I'm planning to put a modern audio system into my '72 250 sedan. My plan is to place two speakers in the front footwells, which will probably require building some customized kick panels. This will be completed with two speakers in the rear dash. I will probably hook 'em all up to a Sony mp3/cd player.

Now here's the issue. I'm not sure where to put the base unit. I thought about three places:
1. Where the old Blaupunkt mono radio currently sits
2. Under the Blaupunkt, where the ashtray is now
3. Glove compartment

The good thing about 2 and 3 are that they are not visible, which I prefer both for theft protection and pure cosmetic reasons. I thought it would pretty cool to have the CD behind the ashtray door (I don't smoke anyway). The question is, will it fit in the centre console, or will it interfere with the heating system or something (there's no AC). And how do you remove the plastic screen behind the ashtray?

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I put a system in my 1976 280C (W114).
Diamond Audio two ways with separate crossovers in front, Boston Rally 6X9s in the back, an Alpine V12 amp for the main speakers and a “Deathbox” with a separate amp in the trunk. I used an Eclipse for the head unit.
I made custom kick panels from MDF for the front two component speakers, put down three layers of fiberglass on the package shelf, mounted 6X9s there and covered it with a new panel so that nothing showed.
I bought something called a Blitzsafe from somebody on a car audio forum. It has a motorized sleeve that the head unit mounts in. With power off it moves back into the dash and flips a cover up. Power on, it flips the cover down and comes out about 3/8”. I never installed it, but may someday.
You could try to find one or maybe take apart the Blaupunkt and put it’s buttons, dial and controls on a panel that you can use to hide the new head unit. I’ve also seen systems where the builder has reworked the controls on an older unit to control a hidden unit.

Michael

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Usta haves '69 250/8, '76 280C, 1971 250C 114.023, 1976 450SEL 116.033
Current have, 1983 300SD 126.120

See the thread called "Aftermarket Stereo" from a couple of days ago for some good information.