Survey on Original Factory Installed Radios Options

[Mike Fitton]

I have an early Blaupunkt Frankfurt AM/FM for sale in the for sale parts forum here and it is a mono version. I received a PM saying only "Stereo" versions were installed in 914's and 914-6's at the factory. Obviously you could order a stereo version (very expensive) but I would guess most 914's with factory installed radios were the mono version or they came over with no radio. Anyone have an original early 914 or 914-6 that came with a factory installed stereo Blaupunkt or Becker?

[Tom_T]

Mike, my buddy who is the OO of the 71 bahia/black 914/4 had the choice of mono or stereo in many brands from the dealer, as well as those with 8-tracks, like the Motorola AM-FM-8-Track that was in my 73 2L when I got it from the OO back in `75.

Basically you could get anything you wanted from the dealers, & I think Jeff Bowlsby's classic 914 website's options listing gives at least one mono from the factory, although most were just shipped "radio ready" (i.e.: with speaker boxes & antenna for radio install), for the dealer added options route.

While some may have been squeezed pricewise getting their 914s new back in the day (I know I was a 18 months out of college) & chose the mono, & IIRC I would think that they could get a non-Blaupunkt/etc. (non-German) radio or player with stereo to take advantage of the 2 speakers/boxes - for about the same price as a new Blau. mono.

That's what I personally recall, since I myself did look at some new 75 & 76 2Ls back then too, & considered the dealer radio options, since I could finance the new car 100% for 5 years - vs. 80% for 3 years - with about the same monthly payment. So I looked at both new & used, but went with the 73 2L due to it's better power, vs. the "smogged" & crapalytic converter equipped 75-76 2L.

Bottom line, I don't think the other person was correct - & certainly NOT for the majority of 914s with dealer radios.

Happy Holidays! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif)
Tom
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