Original car radio in 400GT? | FerrariChat

Original car radio in 400GT?

Discussion in '365 GT4 2+2/400/412' started by vespasian, Jan 30, 2012.

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  1. vespasian

    vespasian Karting

    Nov 28, 2011
    55
    Germany
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    Alex
    #1 vespasian, Jan 30, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I'm looking for hints about the car radio Ferrari was originally installing in the 400GT as shown in the sales prospect from 1979. I want to replace the actually installed japanese plastic monster as fast as possible ... and your advice would be highly appreciated :)
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  2. aidanparte

    aidanparte Formula 3

    Jul 18, 2004
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  3. vespasian

    vespasian Karting

    Nov 28, 2011
    55
    Germany
    Full Name:
    Alex
    #3 vespasian, Jan 30, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Thanks, I know the retro-style Becker, but they stopped production 2 or 3 years ago. In ebay used ones are sold at around € 2,700 - 3,000 which is just that little edge to much for my taste ;-)

    I already thought about a nice Becker Mexiko 'pin stripe'. It surely fits, but just not as perfect as I'd wish:
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  4. GreggG

    GreggG Karting

    Jul 14, 2008
    202
    New Jersey
    Alex,

    I would not be so quick to conclude that the Becker Mexico would fit--it may or it may not unless you alter your wood console. I thought the Mexico would fit in my 365. That is, until I bought one and learned that the spacing was off between the tuning and volume pins/knobs. You'll need to measure to make sure. I was not willing to make additional modifications to my console to make it fit, so I chose to pursue a different option. Radios, if you recall, were dealer-installed items. The 365 GT4 manual shows a Voxson Stereo 8, which is one option. I know these pop-up from time-to-time on ebay in Europe. Happy hunting!
     
  5. Highmiler

    Highmiler Formula Junior

    Dec 8, 2010
    414
    Missouri
    Full Name:
    Greg
    My '84 had an OEM radio in it.
    It was a Blaupunkt Totonto, 4 speaker hook up and cassette slot.
    The radio worked but the casettes would not stay inserted. This seems to be a common failure and repair parts do not seem to exist. At least the repair shop I sent mine to found none over an 18 month period.
    I finally gave up and bought an NOS Blaupunkt Detroit which looks the same but only runs the front speakers. I got it off e-bay for $50.00.
    I too am looking for an OEM Toronto and have had no luck. I think the current production Toronto will fit but it has a big blue eye and plays CDs.
    If you find a quantity of the older ones still working let us all know.
    Greg
     
  6. vespasian

    vespasian Karting

    Nov 28, 2011
    55
    Germany
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    Alex
    As I wrote "fit" I meant it in view of the fitting in style, not in measures. But not fitting technically disqualifies the Mexiko on the spot. Thanks!

    I already had a glimpse of an idea it could be a Voxson. Now I'll lie in ambush for it at ebay :)

    The old Toronto is surely good looking in the modernized center console of the 84' 400i! At ebay Germany / Europe, there are lots of actual Torontos as you described them, but not one of the old ones.
     
  7. GreggG

    GreggG Karting

    Jul 14, 2008
    202
    New Jersey
    Alex, I understand now that you were referring more to asethetics than dimensions. I would take the necessary measurements and then hunt for a proper-fitting, period correct radio that meets your asethetic needs. The Voxson may not be correct for a '79 car--I just don't know--plus it's an 8-track, not a cassette. Either way, there are a few options out there.

    Best,

    Gregg
     
  8. billg

    billg Formula Junior

    Jun 7, 2006
    307
    New Orleans
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    Bill Grady
    My '78 400A had a Voxson.
     
  9. blkprlz

    blkprlz Formula 3

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    Voxson was an innovative italian industrial group back in the day, it would make sense Ferrari would choose it as it's factory radio. I could see Becker slipping in there as a close 2nd.

    The best of luck to you there. ;-)



    This outfit sells restored Becker Mexico's ($600. USD), Europa Retro Upgrades ($349. USD), and others...

    http://www.beckerautosound.com/Classic/FERRARI_SALES.html
     
  10. blkprlz

    blkprlz Formula 3

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    Bruce
    #11 blkprlz, Jan 30, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The oldtimer site shows the radio you posted as being Teil 3 (from 1959 to 1974), & the Teil 4 (1975 & up) to be the one shown below.

    http://www.autoradio-oldtimer.de/

    And a Becker time-line...
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  11. vespasian

    vespasian Karting

    Nov 28, 2011
    55
    Germany
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    Alex
    I'm a big fan of Becker ... obviously, as it's a german company ;-) ... but as I know now about Voxson, this will be my choice: a historic italian car radio for a historic italian car. The more because it seems to be identical with the above posted sales prospect image. In ebay Italy, there are a couple of slightly battered Voxsons at sale, but so far no car radios. But in the long term they'll show up. Look out Sniper! :)


    EDIT: Paul, please have a look at your mailbox, it seems to be rejecting new mails.
     
  12. Panord

    Panord Rookie

    Nov 5, 2009
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  13. It's Ross

    It's Ross Formula 3

    Jul 30, 2007
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    Ross
    The one in the picture you posted looks very much like a eight track player.
     
  14. squidmark

    squidmark Karting

    Sep 11, 2011
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    Oxford
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    Howard Dent
    #15 squidmark, Jan 31, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    My 365 was delivered by Ferrari to Maranello Concessionaires in 1975 with a Voxson Sonar radio (no mention of 8 track on the paperwork). However, having investigated a little, I am reliably informed that this would be a GN108, and being an expensive car it would have been the version with FM radio. I have now acquired said monster - I may need to pump up the tyres to allow for the added weight!
    Unfortunately, the car is currently being painted whilst I rebuild the engine, so I can't say how good or bad it is - but it will look 'right' :)
    Happy days,
    Howard.
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  15. vespasian

    vespasian Karting

    Nov 28, 2011
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    Alex
    Thank you all!
    And, squidmark - now finally I know what a "8 track tape" really means, I had no idea: these monsters seem to have a comparable size as an old vhs video tape - whow.
     
  16. Ashman

    Ashman Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Isn't it amazing? The 8 track was such a revolution because it was the first practical method to enjoy personal music in a bumpy car but it had a complicated endless loop tape inside that wore out the tape quickly and made fast forwarding or rewinding painfully slow. The introduction of the cassette tape mimicked an encapsulated reel to reel tape deck, was smaller and offered higher fidelity with more durability. The CD was the last of the physical storage devices for music media and offered even more durability plus better indexing and access to music tracks.

    Everywhere along the way the music storage device got smaller, more durable and more convenient.

    Now the MP3/iPod methods are even better. You can download music or copy it off of your old CDs and then transfer it to as many iPods as you want so that you can have the same music selection in each car that you own. I haven't bought a CD in years and expect never to buy another one.
     
  17. GreggG

    GreggG Karting

    Jul 14, 2008
    202
    New Jersey
    Howard, good on you for doing your homework. I was also able to pick up a Voxson; however, I'm not sure if I got an FM version or not (I don't have it in front of me at the moment). Regardless, I'm toying with the idea of sending the unit out to one of those refurb specialists who, in addition to cleaning the unit up, can convert the internals to modern day componentry. This way I can get the best of both worlds--vintage aesthetic with modern sound.
     
  18. aidanparte

    aidanparte Formula 3

    Jul 18, 2004
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  19. ricar116

    ricar116 Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2005
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    My response will probably be a Becker Europa wih the auxilary input installed at Becker Audio for an MP3
     
  20. blkprlz

    blkprlz Formula 3

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    The hook-ups in the rear looks like it will only drive 2 speakers.

    & with 2 pairs of speakers
     
  21. GreggG

    GreggG Karting

    Jul 14, 2008
    202
    New Jersey
    I really need to figure out how to use the quote function...

    blkprlz quote: "& with 2 pairs of speakers"

    Bruce, I belive that is what I am running now, and that's more than sufficient. To be honest, I've never actually listed to the radio, but it is nice to know that it's there just in case.
     
  22. vespasian

    vespasian Karting

    Nov 28, 2011
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    Alex
    It's just to complete the optical aesthetics of the center console. :)
    Listening to the radio when there's a Ferrari V12 humming its sound? What a freakish idea ;-))
     
  23. Ashman

    Ashman Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Only used in emergencies or when stuck in traffic! I can go months and months without ever turning on the radio in the Ferrari!
     

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