Correct Radio for 74 Restoration, Blaupunkt Karlsruhe Options

[gcrotvik]

I have been looking for a correct radio for my 74 2.0 restoration for some time now. Recently, I was able to find an NOS 74 Blaupunkt Karlsruhe radio. Unfortunately it's not a US model. Although year correct, it's not US vs ROW correct. Here's the question, from a concours judging perspective, how "incorrect" is the non US Karlsruhe radio?

Thanks for the feedback.

Greg

[Tom_T]

Hey Greg,

In PCA Zone 8 (Central & SoCal, So NV & AZ) we wouldn't judge on originality at all, & I think that it's the same for your PNW PCA. PCA Parade (Spokane for 2017 BTW) may & could gig you, but it's very unlikely, since winning 914s in recent years since I joined PCA in 2009 have had far more non-original &/or non-correct-for-USA on them! Look up the rules for both PNW & Parade CdE online (2017 Parade won't be out until May-ish IIRC, but 2016 is there on the website & that area typically doesn't change).

AACA & other multi-marque concours may gig you, but then that would assume that their judges would know, notice & decide to deduct for a period correct non-USA radio - according to the non-PCA judges I know.

If your 914's COA says it had the factory radio option (not common), then you'd probably want to match it to that radio/model for best post-resto valuation's sake.

That said, it's more of a personal choice for you, & if you'll want to actually pull in USA stations. I've seen some nice Blaupunkt etc. USA radios on here & evil-bay etc. recently, plus you could legitimately go with a Motorola or other of the dealer sold radios, which was the way most of our 914s were equipped - including those with 8-track or cassette deck AM-FM sets (mine had a dealer Motorola AM/FM/8-track when I bought my `73 2L form the OO in `75).

Feel free to PM or email me if you have another CdE questions, &/or we can call from there if a lot of them.

PS - Whichever radio you use, you can also get hidden adapters for classic radios, which will enable 3.5mm Aux, USB &/or BT thru them, from Woody's at the link below. He's been selling to Porsche & PCA folks for decades, & usually has a booth at the big LA Porsche Lit Show & Swap Meet in Anaheim in March.

http://woodyscustomshop.com/online-store/

http://stores.ebay.com/Woodys-Custom-Shop

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