Morris Minor Owners Club

Were radios ever a factory fitted option?
This because there seems to be a space for a single speaker behind the grille in the dash, in my series MM

If possible, when applicable, does anyone have any pictures?

Onne

I'm sure they wouldn't have been a "factory" option, but possibly a "dealer" option.

Most radios of that era would have had the speaker built in - I've not seen a speaker fitted behind the centre grille but I guess it's possible.
Some cars had an ashtray in the grille.

Indeed, the later ones had. I will try and take a picture of the hole tomorrow

I don't *think* that they were ever a factory option. Transistor radios weren't common/invented when the majority of the cars were built - the 'invention' of the Mog preceded the invention of the transistor. There were earlier car radios (valve powered), but they were HUGE and the only way to listen to them was to stop the car and put headphones on
http://www.the-direct-source.com/info.p ... istory.php

Yes, but valve radios were around then. Bl#$%y big/heavy things .
Best thing I ever did when my valve radio packed it in was put a modern radio inside the casing. My parcel tray doesn't sag anymore .

Sorry Scot, I was editing and didn't see your post until afterwards

bigginger wrote:Sorry Scot, I was editing and didn't see your post until afterwards

Too slow BG .

I was answering that, and while the answer would have been OK on your forum I reckon it would have ruffled the Mods feathers here, so I deleted it... You'll just have to make an answer up for yourself

Oooohhh.........I get your drift .


Is this a ruffled feather free forum ?

Scott wrote:Yes, but valve radios were around then. Bl#$%y big/heavy things .
Best thing I ever did when my valve radio packed it in was put a modern radio inside the casing. My parcel tray doesn't sag anymore .

I hope you didnt throw the valve radio away! Like most old things they are easily repairable, by a skilled electronics guy and valves sound sooooo much smoother than horrid modern transistors...plus becoming collectable..

chickenjohn wrote: valves sound sooooo much smoother than horrid modern transistors...

Highly debatable, but this isn't the place to do it, I guess...
a

I may get shot because this is the Concours forum, but instead of putting a speaker behing the center grill on your MM dash, you can actually fit the entire radio. Looks pretty too We just took the grill out, hand filed one of the holding holes a bit bigger, and it fitted easily (ish). We then made a nice wee wood surround for it.

I have got a nice period Roberts radio, I'll take that with me.

But I can't help but think of who told me about these radios....

bigginger wrote:

chickenjohn wrote: valves sound sooooo much smoother than horrid modern transistors...

Highly debatable, but this isn't the place to do it, I guess...
a

Shame really as I'd like to argue about that!

Me too, but not here

Wow never thought I reply on the Concours forum and in fact this is my first ever foray on to this forum.

Anyway, though a later 1966 model my Morris came fitted with a radio from new. It was a deluxe model with overriders and a motorola radio. It also came in black which was a special order colour at that time with a cream and red interior. I know this as my parents ordered it new and it's never been out of the family.

Regards,
Wal

Wal wrote:Wow never thought I reply on the Concours forum and in fact this is my first ever foray on to this forum.

Welcome Wal, I hope this "foray" will be the first of many!

Any pics of the radio Wal? Even though it is out of a later car...

The reason that I said this was my first and unlikely foray into concours is that I am one of the dreaded modders. My car is far from standard any more and certainly not in the concours league. Its only because the car was bought new by my parents that I can add anything, as I've known the car from new.

I will check my parents garage but I'm afraid the radio has long gone.

Regards,
Wal