Classic radio's

Post by **pim123** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:12 pm

Hi, anybody knows where I can buy a (BMC) classic car radio for in my Minor ?

Post by **Gareth** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 10:44 am

Radios were fitted at dealerships and could be bought as part of a package when ordering your new car from your BMC dealer, or as an aftermarket accessory. You might try ebay.co.uk for 'classic radios' in the Automotive section, which may yield some results.

Post by **paulk** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 11:15 am

Was there a 'Standard' Make of radio fitted or just dealer choice. I've found 2 old 1960/70's radios (no idea if either works yet) 1 Sharp and 1 Javelin??

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 12:00 pm

The favorite ones were Motorolo and Radiomobile, but many other makes were fitted by owners.
Pim do you need a working one or just for show as I will have a look at home as I am sure I have a spare somewhere but dont know if it works.
What you will need is one that is not polarity sensitive so that it will work with positive & negative earth cars its normally done with a switch on the unit.
Here are some examples
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Radiomobile-1070- ... dZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Radiomobile-1085X ... dZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MOTOROLA-CLASSIC- ... dZViewItem

Post by **Onne** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 12:08 pm

Apart from the original radios there would have been speakers fitted. Any idea where?
On my, MM there seems to be a special place, behind the centre grille but I can't find any on the Series II

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 12:31 pm

Well the was only one speaker in those days and they often came with a speaker mounted behind a board that was fitted wherever was available useually the parcel shelf or on the back shelf I believe there was also a unit than fitted in front of the gear lever and under the parcel shelf that held both radio and speaker, and the also used to be after market consoles that went all the way round the gear lever.

Post by **Onne** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 12:35 pm

so no dash mounted speaker? I did indeed forget that the cars were built before stereo came about

I'll blame this on my age:D

Post by **paulk** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 2:22 pm

You young whippersnapper.

Mind you I can't talk much but I do remember my dad transfering his Motorola between all his Company cars untill about 1982.

Paulk

Aged 33 and 11/12ths

Post by **pim123** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:04 pm

Thanks for all your replies sofar.
I will look on ebay, but I want a working one, because I want to listen to it. An original BMC would be best. I now have a Phillips radio/cassette in it, but it's to complex and to modern. The arial is a small t-form arial tucked away behind the front screen mirror, nicely done. My speakers (2 !) are in the side panels of the parcel shelf in the front.

Post by **Nigel2** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 2:10 pm

As Kevin said they were as standard a radiomobile or motorola, none as far as I know were ever labelled 'BMC'. When fitted to Rovers or Jaguars you had the appropriate new plastic 'glass' dial with the logo on but not for Minors! Ford were one step ahead with their radio's with 'Ford' on them and these were made by Plessey's. Don't forget unless you get a later radio most were lw & mw only, no fm (vhf) so today your choice of programs will be limited. If you want a period radio with fm on look for an early Blaupunkt or of course you could pay in excess of £250 and get a converted radio from the Vintage Wireless Company
Nigel

Post by **Packedup** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 2:45 pm

I've got a couple of 70s style mw/lw radios kicking around somewhere, wouldn't want much for one... If you're interested I'll see if I can dig them out and give them a quick test. None of them will be pristine though, but then a bit of "aging" looks better in my opinion ;)

Post by **pim123** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 2:45 pm

Nigel, I am almost sure I saw a picture of a BMC Radio somewhere...but maybe that's only wishfull thinking

Post by **pim123** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:17 pm

Packedup, thanks for the offer !!

But I can get my hands on some 70's radio's right here. I am looking for somethng from about the same year as the car is..1964

Post by **ColinP** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 7:07 pm

The one my Dad had fitted in his Austin A60 was a Phillips radio.

Long wave and medium wave - single speaker tucked in the facia.

Mind you, our Minor didn't have one - not at 10/6 per radio

Remember we had to pay a licence for a car radio in those days

Nowadys I reckon you should fit a DAB radio - that way you can listen to Radio 7 and have period radio!

(Hancock, Navy Lark, Round the Horne, ISIRTA)

Seriously though, many of the old radios were positive earth - remember that almost all modern ones are negative earth and check carefully before connecting the wrong way!

Also, a lot of these radios are valve sets - they take a while to warm up and put out a LOT of heat - don't hide them in the glove box.

Cheers,
Colin

Post by **pim123** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 7:34 pm

Colin, thanks foor the tip about pos/neg earth. I will put my classic radio under the glovebox, replacing the one there's now.

Post by **WPR678B** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 10:29 pm

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... %3AIT&rd=1

Is this the sort of thing you are looking for?

Its in Australia but the postage says they will post worldwide!

Its less than £15 at the moment as well!

Post by **pim123** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 10:50 pm

Great find WPR678B !!
Would be great for in my Minor, P&P will make it a bit expensive though. He give's a quote for Spain, Holland will be even more expensive...
I will make a bit though, see what happens... TNX !!

Post by **pim123** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 10:53 pm

Have bid twice, ther is one with an auto-bid on it...sorry. Does anybody know or this BMC radio is realy BMC as in British Motor Company ?

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:55 am

Bear in mind that even if it still works after 20 years in storage, it might not tune to the frequencies used by radio stations in Holland.

Post by **WPR678B** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:27 pm

Well it stayed in Austrailia, but it did go for quite a price in the end! I think it was an original BMC fitted one but couldn't be sure! If i see any more i will add them to this thread!