Anybody know what correct period radios were for a '68 ser 1.5 OTS?

Not looking for conversion to iPod, etc. Just what the frequent original dealer installed options might have been.

Submitted by DavidBarnes71@… on Sun, 08/04/2013 - 10:34

Thom in case it helps I got out the flashlight and looked at the side of the radio in my 68. It is a Blaupunkt Frankfurt US 7639670. Type that in on google and you can see some photos. Looks like also used in Porches. My hunch is the part number is just a little different from Bill's since his has short wave and mine is just AM-FM. I see a site oldautoradio.com that appears to have a some old Blaupunkt radios. I never have worried much about sound quality of the old radio in the E since I hardly ever use it. Nothing on the radio sounds as good as a XK engine.

David Barnes
68 E-type FHC

Submitted by thom@airproperty.net on Sun, 08/04/2013 - 07:59

Guys, thanks much. Sorry not to respond sooner. It's tough to decide whether to leave the car as is, with blanking plate, or install a period radio. Sometimes we forget how the high tech radio of 45 years ago actually looked. Not sure what I'll put in-- but I don't want a modern, multicolor digital unit.

Submitted by DavidBarnes71@… on Tue, 07/09/2013 - 20:12

Now that I see the pics Doug posted my 68 does have the same looking blue dot on the dial lens. My guess now is mine is also a Blaupunkt if that dot is some sort of logo . The selector buttons are different on mine though. I wish I could figure out how to post pics in this forum but have not had any luck when I tried before.

As a goofy side note factory AM-FM stereo seems was a high $$ big deal back in these days. I recently saw a original window sticker on a 75 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega. The Delco AM-FM stereo in that car was a $200+ option but a posi-traction rear end was only about $50.

David Barnes
68 E-type FHC

Submitted by redbil@aol.com on Tue, 07/09/2013 - 08:11

Thom,

From earlier responses, it appears there were several choices. My 68 has the original radio; it even works. It is a Blaupunkt type 7 638 650. It is mono only and has 5 pushbuttons: 2 AM, 2 FM and 1 SW. Blaupunkt recommended a rear speaker mounted between the seats with a fader. Mine had that although it was hardly hi fi.

Bill Braun

Submitted by DavidBarnes71@… on Mon, 07/08/2013 - 20:50

I think Blaupunkt (spelling?) were in many E's when new. I am pretty sure my 68 FHC has the original radio but has been a few years since I have had the center console out. It does not have any name or logo on the face. It has two AM push button selectors and three FM. The tuning and volume knobs are black plastic that match cigar lighter knob. The face is black with 8 silver stripes. I used to have a 66 and it had AM, FM and SW and an alluminium face if I recall. I have seen other E's with very similar period looking radios. If someone knows how to identify OEM for the radio in my 68 I will pull the console to look around for a brand name if it helps.

David Barnes
68 E-type FHC