Blaupunkt radio models & pricing, circa 1968

[bluehills2002]

My blue service manual came with a number of parts bulletins—here’s an interesting one for the Blaupunkt radio fans.  Pretty good price appreciation, considering what they sell for these days!

[Slavs]

My Montreal 6V / 12V radio installed in my 67 1600.

[Conserv]

On 12/2/2018 at 12:34 PM, bluehills2002 said:

My blue service manual came with a number of parts bulletins—here’s an interesting one for the Blaupunkt radio fans.  Pretty good price appreciation, considering what they sell for these days!

 

This is a great document! I wish we had more like this. It raises as many questions as it answers!

 

Answers it provides:

 

1. How the sole U.S. importer, Hoffman Motors, addressed the fact that the cars arrived on these shores without radios, antennas, or dedicated radio noise suppression. They offered their retail dealer network a range of solutions, to be installed by those dealers, from least expensive — Blaupunkt Hamburg — to most expensive — Blaupunkt Frankfurt. As of December 1968, Blaupunkts appear to be the only offerings from the importer. Auto radio shops and some dealers offered other brands and models.

 

2. They added advice regarding the choice of antennas: which worked best in which situations.

 

3. They added advice regarding suppression: generally not needed.

 

4. The Frankfurt radio offered at this date is AM/FM/shortwave. The shortwave versions were, in some respects, bearing remnants of the “Euro-spec” radios, rather than being purely U.S models, which were to follow shortly. FM dial faceplates began with the larger numbers, e.g., 108 megahertz, at the left, moving to lower frequencies at the right. Below, first two photos, are a 1969 model Frankfurt US (this one manufactured in 1970, based on the “B” prefixto the serial number) and, third and fourth photos, a 1969 model Frankfurt Stereo US (this one manufactured in 1969, based on the “A” prefix to the serial number). The Frankfurt Stereo manufactured in 1969 still retains what U.S. users would likely view as that reversed FM band, from 108 megahertz at the left to 87 megahertz at the right. This was common among European FM radios, as was an FM band that ended just above 104 megahertz.

 

Questions raised:

 

1. What is a coil-mounted antenna?  “A002 COIL MOUNTED ANTENNA, THROUGH HOOD” and “CAUTION:  THIS ANTENNA MUST BE PUSHED IN BEFORE OPENING THE HOOD”  Huh? ?

 

2. Does anyone here have what might be an original rear-deck antenna? You, know, the one with bad FM reception.... ?

 

3. Slavs kindly provided a photo of a Blaupunkt Montreal, the mid-range offering. Although my early 1970 (VIN 1668093, September 8, 1969) came with a Blaupunkt Hamburg, I’m hoping someone here has photos of a ca. 1968 Hamburg and a ca. 1968 Frankfurt AM/FM/shortwave, allowing us to illustrate the three Blaupunkt radios offered by Hoffman Motors as of December 1968.

 

Here’s a link to the Blaupunkt radio article:

 

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2018 by Conserv

[Mike Self]

I remember when I ordered my '69 (in January '69) the AM/FM pushbutton Blaupunkt (mono, IIRC, as stereo wasn't offered at least through the dealer) was well north of $150--might have been closer to $200 if ordered with the car (but still dealer installed), so based on the price sheet, there was a considerable "additional dealer profit" built in.  I opted for a $59.95 AM/FM Bowman from JC Whitney and installed it myself.  

 

The antenna mounting instructions I received recommended not using the pillar mount antenna on sunroof cars, as the front sunroof drain runs down the A pillar and is easy to drill into when preparing the antenna mount.  Forewarned, I was very careful with my drilling and didn't damage the hose.  But I've never seen a trunk mounted antenna on a 2002.  

 

I have no idea what the "coil antenna" mentioned above refers to...however there was a hidden antenna available for E-21s that disappeared down in the space between the trailing edge of the hood (driver's side), the windshield base and the left front fender.  It was manual, and when retracted was below the top of the hood.  Don't think it would work on a 2002, though.  

 

And so it went, "back in the day."

 

mike

[Conserv]

Here are 1968 model Frankfurts, i.e., “Z prefix” examples.

 

The first two photos show the U.S. model, as, no doubt, is referred to in Parts Bulletin 16/1968 above.  The third and fourth photos show the European model — with short and long-wave bands. FM bands in both models extend from higher frequencies at the left to lower frequencies at the right. The U.S. FM band, however, begins at 108 megahertz whereas the European FM band begins at 104 megahertz.

 

Both of these radios are are currently on eBay. Search on “Blaupunkt Frankfurt”.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited December 3, 2018 by Conserv