Fixing the radio in a 1962 Appia...

[GerardJPC]

My Appia has what was probably in its day a quite posh Blaupunkt radio, possibly the one fitted when the car was new.   The radio does not work at present.  I know that I could replace it with something that enables the playing of music via modern media, but I'd like to get the radio to work, although it would only deliver medium and long wave stations if working.  I have looked on eBay etc for a replacement unit from the early 1960s that is working, but thus far have not found anything suitable.

Marco il Mechanico Marveloso says -

"Your radio has a side exit aerial lead which fouls the heater duct to the windscreen, makes it a faff to fit & remove. Radio does work, it just has trouble & no doubt needs a new component or two..."

Does anyone know a shop that repairs radios of this era?   I am aware of Chromelondon in London and of Vintage Car Radio in Reading.   Has anyone tried either of those places?  Many thanks for any suggestions.

The car also has, by the way, what looks like a 1970s speaker placed rather clumsily in the rear parcel shelf.  That works, sort of - it produces crackle anyway.

[GerardJPC]

£450 yikes!   

https://www.chromelondon.com/blaupunkt-dortmund-deluxe--vintage-ivory-classic-car-fm-radio-mp3--jag-etype-aston-vw-porsche-11045-p.asp

[DaveKennedy]

The two people I've used in the past to repair car radios have both stopped doing it.  but for the best price try to find someone working on their own rather than a business. Repairing these radios is time-consuming rather than difficult. You have to replace all the electrolytic capacitors then see what happens. Usually some transistors need replacing too.
I have a Voxson radio in my Appia that isn't working. I'm found the data sheets so I'm going to have a go at it sometime.

Dave

[GerardJPC]

Thanks Dave - sensible ideas! 

[lancianut666]

You think you have problems this bad boy comes in 2 parts and has valves in it. I have a Blaupunkt from a Y10 but it won't fit in your dash.
Clarkey

[GerardJPC]

That is so fab!  Perhaps it is like a really old black and white telly and you have to thump it a few times almost every time you use it.   

[lancianut666]

I think it is worth more than the car 

[lancialulu]

That is so fab!  Perhaps it is like a really old black and white telly and you have to thump it a few times almost every time you use it.   

The valves might work but all the paper capacitors will be shot....

[lancianut666]

I think you are right...as I understand it the tuning bit is paper capacitors or 'wet' capacitors and they dry out and go on the fritz. If I had the time and inclination I would replace them as I managed to track down a wiring diagram so it would be possible. The valves as I remember still light up and the lights in the little window still work I suppose I should connect a speaker and aerial up to it.

[lancianut666]

piccy from website

[frankxhv773t]

http://vintagecarradio.co.uk/sales.html I have visited these people's stand at shows and was impressed by them. As ever they are expensive but they would probably restore and convert your own radio so you keep the original equipment look.

[GerardJPC]

Many thanks.

Here is the radio.  It seems that Blaupunkt named each of its products of that period after a different city in Germany.  I am not sure which city this one is.

[lancianut666]

It is a Stuttgart model not sure what the K band is though...
Clarkey

[Lightweight_911]

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That looks like a 'Stuttgart' model

Even for a particular model,  there were a number of versions & details varied from year to year & also depending on the intended market (eg USA vs Europe).

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[Lightweight_911]

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'K' = shortwave (Kurz) ...

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