Blaupunkt radio faceplate

[norman may]

I have a restored D series Blaupunkt radio to be installed into my 1960 B T5, however it does not have a face plate. Would anyone be able to show me the the correct face plate for a D series radio? A photo or drawing would be much appreciated.
Kind regards
Norman May

[Mike Wilson]

There are some pics on Charlie White's site in the Resources/vendors section. One is noted as NOT for a 356 (maybe Mercedes?) but there are a couple more pics. It looks like the chrome surround is correct.

Mike

[Sebastian Gaeta]

Norman,

By faceplate do you mean this?

blaupunkt bezel.jpeg (42.21 KiB) Viewed 5032 times

Or the frosted plastic piece like this?

becker faceplate.jpeg (42.06 KiB) Viewed 5032 times

The top picture is really a "bezel", is correct for your car and is readily available on eBay etc. Be sure not to get one that says "BLAUPUNKT" on it, the 356 radios had the plain one as shown.

But, if you mean like the one on the bottom photo, that is a "faceplate" and they were typically on Becker radios. I am not saying a Blaupunkt was never delivered with one, but they were made specifically for Becker.

[Mike Wilson]

Did the faceplate as used on the A models carry over to the '60?

Mike

[Sebastian Gaeta]

Did the faceplate as used on the A models carry over to the '60?

Mike

The chrome "bezel" did, yes. I am curious as to which one Norman is referring to.

[Mike Wilson]

I know the chrome part carried over but on the A models, wasn't there a plastic face plate behind it?
Perhaps someone with an original set up on a '60 can weigh in.

Mike

[Sebastian Gaeta]

I know the chrome part carried over but on the A models, wasn't there a plastic face plate behind it?
Perhaps someone with an original set up on a '60 can weigh in.

Mike

Those were for Becker radios specifically, the Blaupunkt wasn't *typically* fitted with one. As I said earlier, no one can say that a Blaupunkt never came with one, but the Beckers virtually *always* did.

I have a Becker in my cab and it came with an ancient/original plastic faceplate. My coupe's Blaupunkt did not and I've never really ever seen a Blaupunkt with a plastic faceplate.

That's why I am curious if he is really referring to the chrome bezel. If he is, he needs one, but if he means the plastic faceplate then he does not.

[Peter Silten]

My 63 B was fitted with a Motorola am/fm radio and had a metal faceplate identical to the one shown on SMC's website, which is no longer available:

https://sierramadrecollection.com/Blaup ... 17212.html

I sold the faceplate when I replaced the Motorola radio with a Blaupunkt.

[Mike Wilson]

Good points, Sebastian. I know Becker was a higher priced option and maybe a bit more "glamorous". You are probably right about the chrome surround. I would also defer to your picture, Sebastian, on Charlie White's site showing a Blaupunkt radio installation kit. No additional face plate shown. Other models, New Yorker for example, looks like they had one.

Norman, if you have a Blaupunkt D series, it only requires the chrome surround in Sebastian's first picture.

Mike

[Bob Forman]

When I got my 62 from an estate sale it came with a blaupunkt and a box of extra parts. In the box was a plastic faceplate for the radio. I tried like mad to get the faceplate to fit but the stalks on the radio weren't long enough. After all these years, I now know why. One of life's little mysteries is solved. Thanks.

[Joris Koning]

The face plate as shown by Sebastian were a Becker specific item. They were used because the radio face on the Beckers is smaller and would otherwise leave a gap on the dash. They came in three colours with the bright silver one shown being used from T5 onwards

[Joris Koning]

Forgot to mention, the volume and tuning pot center lines is also in a different spot compared to the Blaupunkts

[Eric Lenius]

Forgot to mention, the volume and tuning pot center lines is also in a different spot compared to the Blaupunkts

And, this is an important point since you have to make the holes for the controls oblong and the nut would not cover them. So, the plastic plate. I was initially disappointed to see the oblong holes on my coupe. I thought someone had hacked it up for some other radio. Then I read the Becker installation instructions that said to make the holes oblong. It then became clear to me why the plastic plates were used.

Eric L.

[norman may]

Thank you to all those who answered my request for information as to the correct face plate for a Blaupunkt D series radio in my 1960 BT5.
My next question is are there any suggestions as to where I may be able to source a backing plate - the one that the chrome face snaps into between the radio and the rear side of the dash?
Many thanks,
Regards
Norman

[Sebastian Gaeta]

Thank you to all those who answered my request for information as to the correct face plate for a Blaupunkt D series radio in my 1960 BT5.
My next question is are there any suggestions as to where I may be able to source a backing plate - the one that the chrome face snaps into between the radio and the rear side of the dash?
Many thanks,
Regards
Norman

That too can be sourced on eBay but be aware that you’ll need a very specific one with the correctly positioned slots for the tangs on the chrome bezel. If you look on der White’s website you will see an NOS installation kit that shows the correct support plate, below is a shot of the plate and the hanger. The Samba can also be a source but again you need to make 100% sure you’re getting the correct one.

chuck's install kit.jpg (75.99 KiB) Viewed 4860 times

Another thought, if you can only find the plate without the slots, it may still work. The plate's main purpose is to support the radio against the dashboard so you need to have one. The plates for the VW Sapphire radios have a larger opening so the chrome piece will still "fit", it just won't be tight. That could be a temporary solution until you find the correct plate.