Daimler Becker Radio
Previously, I had attempted to install the Bluetooth enabled Radiomobile 8 track into my Daimler. I got the radio test installed, but the sound quality was pretty terrible. During the last part, I tried various things to work out what was going on. I ruled out the power supply, speaker wiring through using different combinations of speakers, the Bluetooth module and more. The final test was to use a Becker Europa II Stereo to drive a single speaker to see how it would sound. It sounded great through the 7W Becker amplifier.
Before I sent the Bluetooth radio back to be tested, I wanted to do more bench testing of my own. So I figured, why not install the Becker Radio for now. It would look and work a damn sight better than the old Pioneer and is generally period correct. While not correct for the Vaden Plas, I’ve seen period photos of German market Series 1 XJ’s with Beckers.
I have a couple of Beckers from 1972-1973, but they are two piece Grand Prix and Mexico Cassette models. There isn’t a lot of room for the two piece units without taking the dash further apart and locating the amplifier up in behind the glovebox somewhere. Given I ultimately still want to use the Radiomobile, a once piece radio is a much better option.
Therefore, I decided to use the Becker Europa II Stereo I tested with. This model replaced the Europa Stereo, mid 1972. Originally they were a two piece unit with five buttons and a separate amplifier. In 1973, they went to a one piece unit, with an integrated amplifier, and continued with minor changes until 1978 when the six button version came out. This unit is missing the sticker with the serial number, so I can’t properly date it, but I estimate between 1974-1977. It is visually very similar to the 1973 model. It has provision for the external cassette, which I will use for Bluetooth input.
Before Installing it properly, I built a wiring harness to test all four speakers with the Becker. I started testing two speakers, one on each side. It sounded pretty good, so I went to all four. Sounded even better. Like the Radiomobile Bluetooth, the Becker Europa II Stereo is a two channel radio. It is 2x7W.
I then did a test fitting in the dash without the faceplate to make sure it would fit.
Given I have Beckers in a few cars, I had all I needed to install it properly. The chrome surround was a bit pitted and the dial scale had a crack, but I had a much better surround and a new reproduction dial scale. I had the correct Becker plugs and the mounting hardware. I also had a bluetooth module for the DIN plug on the back.
As well as installing the Becker, I also wired in the USB charging ports I was going to use with the Bluetooth radio.
To install the Becker, I had to go back to the backing plate and faceplate modified for a DIN radio. That meant moving back the decals for the faceplate and the mounting hardware for the backing plate. The install is a bit fiddly. With a shaft radio, you would install the backing plate, then the radio, secure everything in place then add in the faceplate.
With a DIN radio, you can’t do this, so you have to get everything buttoned up including the faceplate, before the radio goes in. This doesn’t give much room to work, but since the Becker is quite a slim radio, it was possible.
My car is not fitted with an antenna, but there is an antenna cable present. The Vanden Plas should have been sold new with an electric antenna on the rear wing. I guess at some point the rear wing was changed to one without the antenna cutout? In any case, I’m not bothered as I will be using Bluetooth. The cable probably still goes to the boot.
I got it all installed, and I think it looks pretty good. I would still prefer the Radiomobile as it is what the car is supposed to have. Since its not working, I think the Becker is a good alternative and looks a lot better than the modern radio.
My next step will be to properly bench test the Radiomobile. But for now I have a great working radio in the Daimler. Since the Bluetooth setup for the Becker doesn’t have any buttons, I used the same solution I have in the 250SE. I bought a couple of cheap external controllers and will use one here. It works pretty well.
A Becker probably isn’t the first solution for a British car, but I’m happy with it for now.
