Blaupunkt Classic Car Radio

[Geneva Andreotti]

Webuy, sell, repair, convert and collect classic Blaupunkt and Becker car radios, parts and accessories. Contact us with your vintage radio needs and questions. We always have beautifully restored vintage radios available and are here to help you find just the right vintage radio or radio part for your classic car. We are also proud to offer expert repairs for customers requiring such services.

Located in the U.S., our shop showcases a full range of Blaupunkt and Becker radio models: AM/FM mono as well as stereo, AM and Stereo Cassette units. With hundreds of parts in stock, we usually have the part you are looking for. If your project requires something that we do not currently have, contact us and we will commence a thorough search, even for rare items, large or small. Internationally shipping is available as well.

In the late 1960s the first cars appeared with a larger 1-DIN dashboard aperture which became the industry standard around 1974. If your classic car features the large square 1-DIN radio aperture (MG MGA / MGB, Mercedes-Benz from 1968 and others) you will need to choose a radio with a large face-plate. Also a special 1-DIN radio mounting bracket is needed then.

Enthusiasts should be delighted to learn that car audio company Blaupunkt is bringing back a fan-favorite solution, only this time, it's gotten with the times. The company revealed the SQR 46, a modern reincarnation of a beloved aftermarket radio from the 1980s. Since it's been more than 30 years since the original's introduction, it comes with a lot of today's technology baked into a retro package. Bluetooth connectivity hides beneath the plastic cover to pair smartphones and other devices, and the cassette tape area actually stores a USB port (the radio has a second port as well), an auxiliary input jack, and a slot for an SD card.

With Bluetooth, drivers of classic cars can make phone calls via their smartphones' connection, and take advantage of conveniences like phonebook downloads and navigation audio mixing. The Bluetooth microphone is external, but that comes with the radio.

The radio will play MP3 and WMA music files via SD card and USB inputs. It will not play Bluetooth music, however. It also has the AM and FM bands, but not satellite radio. The radio can also be programmed to respond to steering wheel controls in cars that offer that capability.

Blaupunkt isn't the only company with a retro-modern radio for classic cars. Porsche owners can purchase a Porsche-specific head unit that even offers an optional navigation screen. Jaguar-Land Rover started selling classic radio conversions with modern technology last year as well.

Right now, it appears the radio is only for sale in Europe with a price of about $500, including a value-added tax, at current exchange rates. We're sure some of the units will make their way into hands and dashboard of North American classic car owners.

Over the years, some models have become true cult objects. Like the legendary Blaupunkt Bremen SQR 46 which started production in 1986. Now there's a bran new interpretation of the popular 1-DIN car radio that has reinvented this classic for so many vehicle applications from the late 1980's and through the 90's. The result is the Blaupunkt Bremen SQR 46 DAB.

It's operating concept, the simple design and the crystal clear reception contributed significantly to the popularity of the original Bremen car radio. Blaupunkt have taken over the styling of the original model in the new edition, but at the same time added a modern Variocolour illumination for the buttons and the display. Thanks to Blaupunkt Codem FM RDS tuner and DAB+ digital tuner, the first-class reception remains one of the strengths of the new Youngtimer Car radio. New are the numerous serial interfaces, including two USB ports, an aux port and an SDHC slot and ofcoarse audio streaming via Bluetooth is a prominent feature for the returning legend. The radio carries the Made for iPhone/iPod technology and ensures appropriate compatibility for Apple users and Android alike. All settings are permanently saved even when disconnected from the battery. An active DAB+ screen antenna is also included.

The new Bremen SQR 46 DAB has a short installation depth and require far less backspacing than the original installation which makes it ideal for classic cars with shortened installation slots.

Back to the future: The relaunched cult car radio 'Bremen SQR-46 DAB' with many new features! Over the years, some models have become true cult objects, like the legendary Blaupunkt Bremen SQR46 from the year 1986. Now Blaupunkt present the re-interpretation of the popular 1-DIN car radio and unite the unique features and styling of the 80s model with new technologies and functions. The result is the Blaupunkt Bremen SQR 46 DAB.

Its operating concept, the simple design and the crystal clear reception contributed significantly to the popularity of the original Bremen car radio. They have taken the styling of the original model over to the new edition, but at the same time added a modern Variocolour illumination for the buttons and the display. Thanks to Blaupunkt Codem FM RDS tuner and DAB+ digital tuner, the first-class reception remains one of the strengths of the new Youngtimer Car radio. New are the numerous interfaces, including two USB ports, an Aux port and an SDHC slot - even audio streaming via Bluetooth is feature for the returning legend!

The radio carries the 'Made for iPhone / iPod' certification and ensures appropriate compatibility, plus Bluetooth streams Android and other phones as well. All settings are permanently saved even when disconnected from the battery. An active DAB+ internal windscreen antenna is included. The new Bremen SQR 46 DAB has a shallow installation depth - ideal for classic cars with shortened installation slots. But not only the car radio itself takes the user on a journey through time, the packaging of the device has been elaborately designed and modelled on the original.

The 1980-1998 Porsche 911 Blaupunkt Bremen radio comes with Bluetooth built in and has the classic looks to match the interior of your 1980-1998 Porsche 911. You don't need to settle for a brand new, modern DIN radio that will look out of place. Instead, you get that classic Blaupunkt look, the modern features and technology you want, and the ability to customize the display color to match the rest of your dash lighting.

For a lot of car enthusiasts, the way the stereo head unit looks is almost as important as the way it sounds. Especially with cars ranging from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, a too-new looking stereo can really jar, with ill-fitting nasty plastics and over-done flashy lighting standing out from the dashboard design. And if you keep the vintage stereo, you can only really listen to radio, cassettes, or try to fiddle with a bluetooth adapter cassette that keeps getting spat out. CD head units don't even offer that option.

Porsche Classic has also recognized the need for better-fitting radios for older cars, and it offers a head unit with touch screen navigation in classic single DIN size. The price is rather strong at about 1,200 Euros, though.

One of the most fertile areas of human imagination resides in the consumer electronics industry. No matter how weird or wacky an idea might seem, someone out there is producing it in the hope it will become the next big seller. And once in a while it does.

Probably the closest thing to bass fishing without leaving the living room. This unit, roughly the shape and size of a parsley grater, lets you cast an imaginary line and reel it in. The little screen tells you if the lure is traveling at the proper depth. When a fish bites, the unit shakes and the at-home angler has to jerk quickly to hook his prize.

It looks like a game, but manufacturer Radica USA claims at least 75 percent of its customers are adults. It has been so popular that many mass retailers, such as Wal-Mart, are running low, but the company hopes to catch up with inventory in March. Coming near the end 1997: Deep Sea Fishin' for catchin' marlin, sailfish, spearfish, and swordfish on the open seas.

American Technology Corp. offers AM and FM versions of this neat device. Based on microchips, they're small enough to plug into your ear, yet deliver all the sound anyone would need. The company's vice president of sales uses the ear clip (included) to go jogging.

Tired of clapping to get the light to go on? The SmartSwitch from VOS Systems in San Diego lets you call out instead. Just say "lights" and the switch comes on; say it again and it goes off. The system worked flawlessly even on the noisy floor of a trade show. VOS, which is looking for distributors, hopes to have the system available in March. It's especially useful near entrances to the home, where a person with hands full of mail or groceries can call out and have the lights come on, says the company's Rick Matulich.

For all those drivers who like cruise controls on the steering wheel, Blaupunkt introduces a steering-wheel remote for its high-end line of cassette and compact-disc players. The seven-button device lets you tune the radio, switch to cassette or CD, skip to a favorite song, and adjust the volume with your thumb while you grip the steering wheel. The device works exclusively with Blaupunkt's Reno, Aspen, Denver, and Las Vegas models, which retail for $199 to $349.

In May of this year, the German company expects to introduce a new line of CD and cassette players that use a smart card. Plug it in and the card automatically has all your individual music settings. Take it out and thieves won't be able to make the system work (which should discourage them from taking it in the first place).

Extra protection for anyone working at night. Besides the traditional high-visibility orange coating, these vests are ringed with a flexible orange light tube that blinks when you turn it on. Requires two AA batteries that operate about 200 hours. Small size fits most people up to 150 pounds. (Regular size at $80 fits larger people.) Manufacturer Buddy Products in Green Oaks, Ill., says it will be available in stores soon (Call 800-886-8688 for retailers).

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