Jim Chambers

What is the most common OE radio/cassette for a '78? I have a very nice Alpine radio/CD but am a bit of a purist about originality.

VanD

Porsche CR. Look through Jim's 928 Classics site - lots of resources here:

http://928classics.com/4/category/early%20radio/1.html

VanD

They go for about $750-$1500, that's if you can find one, BTW...

Jim Chambers

If you have to ask........and I do. Probably keep my Alpine unless I get real lucky.

VanD

They are out there...sometimes for a bargain...they haunt me.

The Deputy

But just out of curiosity...and since you and Jim probably have the greatest database...how many 78's did you find with the original radio intact...or available with the car? If you want to keep this information private, I respect that.

Just off the top of my head, I believe I've seen about three 78's surface on Rennlist (since AB...After Brian) with them. Seem to see more 79's with the original radio's for some reason. Talk about haunting...that complete with radio #350 was one state away, reasonable price...and I sat with my finger up my *** wondering if I should by the entire car. Could have so easily removed what I needed for old red...making it a pretty complete clean car...and then messed around looking for stuff and fixing up #350 in my leasure. Yes, sometimes my stupidity even amazes me (my wife...not so much).

My 84 was owned by the previous owner for 26 years...and when I asked about the original radio...he said he threw it out. I'm like?...really?...come on...it's the original radio for gosh sake.

Brian.

Guy

I started a similar thread a while back. I am still on the hunt.

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/796582-early-radio-details-for-78-80-a.html?highlight=Bamberg

Currently I have a Cr1 (Heidelberg) in my 79. It works with an iPod input but nothing else. I have purchased many of these radios in the hopes of getting a functional one. Many are out there, few work. The few that do work have functional cassettes but no radio. That seems to be the catch. Oh, don't forget the tuner box is needed as well.

The problem with repairs is getting parts. Apparently parts are not available at all. The few people that do repair them cannibalize other units for parts. There is a guy overseas who can repair them. He has a year waiting list. He sells his own units on ebay for around 1200.

It doesn't help matters much as the radios now get the Porsche surcharge now due to increasing values on 911s.

VanD

I actually bought parts off that #350 car and was planning on grabbing the the radio when Jim bought the whole car, so gave my parts back.

A couple cars have come with originals (my '80 Euro has working CR and came with Vanilla Ice Tape!). A few others were ordered with "Radio prep" and therefore the "period" radio that is in there is actually correct, as would a block off plate, but the bracket used with them seem unobtainable also. I've managed to obtain 3 working CR's (one US and two Euro's) over the years, along with some non-working/unknown.

My plan for anything non-working is to use the radio with power hookups so it light's up, then use a small amp in the tuner space hooked up to the speakers and bluetooth adaptor to actually play tunes off my phone (pandora/iheartradio, etc.). That way I can get the stock look but modern bluetooth. If I get really ambitious may hide a mic so phone operation goes through the system as well. I may have to talk with a Genius like Hans to get the pieces sourced.

I can't tell you how many PO's have told me 'I just threw that away a few months ago' - drives me crazy. Doing a Rennlist search, seems not long ago radio's were $50-$75 items.

tuut

Hi Jim,

I have a fully functional and original DE radio which I might want to part with.
I sent you a PM/mail to see if you're interested.

Rob Edwards

Opened up a non-working CR to see what was up- Now I understand where all the unemployed cuckoo-clock makers of the 1950's and 60s were re-purposed to.

This one is stuck in rewind or fast-forward, can't get the drive motor to stop spinning at high speed.

Lots of fussy German gut- note the sunburn on the top of the 'band' buttons:

Guy

I have one that spins fast as well. If memory serves, that's a bad belt. A tighter belt pulls the one spindle closer and slows down the cassette. Once I replaced a belt I was also able to get the cassette mechanism to disengage allowing me to discover that the radio didn't work

Bad amp channels are common as well.

beran earms

maybe this would be another application for an Audi tensioner

Rob Edwards

Interesting- the belts in this one are the consistency of last night's spaghetti. I ordered a grab-bag of random belts from Ebay UK that just arrived, will try to find some incrementally shorter ones and see if that cures that problem. The tuner unit is NFG too, but if the cassette mechanism will load, one could port tunes through it using a Bluetooth cassette.

Guy

FwIW. Stefan at Sw stereo sold me a little adapter that plugs into the din port on the back. I use Mp3 thru that. Nice alternative

Jørn

I bought a CR, DE for mine some years back from German ebay for around 350$. I jumped on it and have not had any regrets, seeing the current prices and availability of these units. Mine was complete and the radio works great! However the cassette sound is distorted from wrong speed of the tape, not sure what causes it. I also got a aux-type of cable that plugs in to a socket at the rear, which I activate by pressing the ARI button which the DE-version has.

I have not been able to successfully mount mine, despite buying the original stereo mounting hardware, as they have cut the center console to DIN-size. Any ideas is much appreciated