Mercedes Benz Radios 1968-1971 For the #00 SEL 6.3

Mercedes Benz Radios 1968-1971 For the 300 SEL 6.3

You will be able to tell the correct radio for your car by checking the options plate near the radiator. It's possible that this is the correct radio originally supplied with your car if your car was originally supplied for the U.S. market. The radios came the "M" (AM) and "U" (FM) bands

In the case of my '69 6.3, the options plate shows that a radio was supplied the Becker Grand Prix "LMKU" radio options code 519= Radio Becker Grand Prix electronic, 531= automatic antenna. The dial is bigger and it provides for the "K[urz]" (shortwave) and "L[ang]" (longwave) broadcasts.

There are any number of Becker radio models that look so much like the one that came in your car, I don't think many people would notice the difference. You can even get Becker radios that look like they absolutely belong in your car, but they're stereo and include a cassette player!

Becker
Europa Kurier with L, M, K ,U Bands

But typically the earlier 6.3s (1968 through 71s) had a Becker Grand Prix with Wonderbar (self-seek) and Shortwave / Longwave /AM/FM capability as a specified option; the standard radios were generally the stock AM/FM non-Wonderbar Europa with either three AM (BC) and 2 FM or three FM and 2 AM (BC) pre-sets. (see below radios)

Europa with 3
BC and 2 FM also comes with 2 BC and 3 FM Buttons

Also the non cassette Becker Mexico was available for the 68-71 Mercedes Benz cars.

Some 69 6.3 came stock a Europa , you can replace it with a Becker Mexico Cassette (second version from the late 70s) which looks similar to the regular Beckers, as mentioned, but with a cassette slot at the bottom and no preset buttons. I believe the latest 1971 and many 1972 6.3s came with the Mexico Cassette as a specified option. This Radio cost almost $2000!!!

Another choice is a later model Becker Europa II Stereo.

Later Becker Europa
II Stereo Radio (Mid 1970's)

A US '68 would most likely have been delivered with a four band mono Grand Prix with five presets LW BC SW FM FM. Some had a mono Europa with similar pre-sets. What radio you decide to put in depends mostly on which speakers are fitted in the car. If you only have the top center dash speaker and perhaps a center rear speaker, you will want to use a mono radio. If you have stereo speakers fitted in the kick panels and perhaps the rear deck, you should fit a stereo Grand Prix, or Europa. You could also fit a stereo Mexico cassette although technically it wasn't available until '69. Four band stereo Grand Prix are very hard to find. Please note that many European models from this era, mostly four banders, only go to 104 on the FM dial. You can also fit an Olympia glove box cassette player or a Reims shortwave adaptor if you want to add these features to a radio without them.

Also, most if not all US-spec 6.9s came with the Mexico Cassette standard. The radio looks in character with those cars as well, proving the classic timelessness of the Becker designs. (You can replaced your 6.9s radio with a Becker 754, which is a more modern-looking 1986-87 AM-FM-cassette unit with a digital LCD display.

I would be a little wary of buying radios on eBay without some kind or warranty or return privledge. The seek mechanisms on Grand Prix and Mexicos are frequently faulty, and the band change switches are often corroded making it difficult to get good AM. Buying a rebuilt radio directly from Becker might be pricy, but guarantees a perfect working unit.