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coad Samba Scapegoat
Joined: September 12, 2002 Posts: 7552
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 9:23 am Post subject: Big M Radio Question |
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I've heard it on good authority that there are actually two different versions of the Motorola Big M radio, or actually two versions of the faceplate. According to a person who is into VW's and used to work at Motorola they changed the face plate in about 1955 when Motorola re-designed their logo. According to him the "M" is slightly different between the early and late radios.
I've searched the gallery and damned if I can see a difference, but maybe all the examples are either all early or all late, or I just don't understand what I'm looking for.
Anyone have any info on this? |
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53 0val Samba Professor
Joined: July 03, 2003 Posts: 11396 Location: Irvine, CA
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:00 pm Post subject: |
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Interesting information----------I've owned several of those and the only difference I noticed is the quality of the chrome plate. I assumed the "early" run had the better chrome. I'll look through some old pictures to see if I can see any differences. _________________ "What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away." Dobee, Dobee, Do |
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coad Samba Scapegoat
Joined: September 12, 2002 Posts: 7552
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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Glenn Clevenger in Phoenix is who told me. He was restoring the 55 Rag when he was working at Motorola and found out about the change. Apparently the difference is in the length or shape of the points on the "M". Very subtle but once you know you can spot it right away.
Mine is incorrect according to Glenn, and I'm hoping this information causes a wave of faceplate exchanges as people frantically swap back and forth for the correct faceplates before the next big show. |
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RareAir Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2002 Posts: 14577 Location: 18 miles North of the border
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Coad,
I've got both styles of face plates. Unfortunetly, the radios aren't here with me at the moment. I'll try to get you a pic of the differences though. I do have 1 Motorola radio here, but it's already dark (nightfall) and pics won't come out too clear. I'll post it tomorrow afternoon. Then maybe someone else can post their versions and we can make the comparisons. _________________ 1947 Typ 11a
1954 Typ 117
1956 Typ 151
1959 Typ 117
1959 Typ 265
1961 356B
1966 Typ 151
1966 Typ 241 |
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RareAir Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2002 Posts: 14577 Location: 18 miles North of the border
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Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 7:30 pm Post subject: |
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Coad- Better late than never right? Here is a shot despicting the differences between early (1953-55) and late (1956-on) fonts used by Motorola. The earlier version is on top.
I'd sell it, but out of the 7 radio I have, it's the only early version _________________ 1947 Typ 11a
1954 Typ 117
1956 Typ 151
1959 Typ 117
1959 Typ 265
1961 356B
1966 Typ 151
1966 Typ 241 |
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coad Samba Scapegoat
Joined: September 12, 2002 Posts: 7552
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Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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[email protected] wrote: |
Coad- Better late than never right? Here is a shot despicting the differences between early (1953-55) and late (1956-on) fonts used by Motorola. The earlier version is on top.
I'd sell it, but out of the 7 radio I have, it's the only early version |
Hmmm, the sort of difference only a true fanatic would care about. Good to know (Thanks Glenn) but I don't think I'll lose much sleep over the fact that I have the wrong faceplate.
53Oval on the other hand will now begin a frantic hunt on three continents trying to find one, so I consider this thread a success |
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53 0val Samba Professor
Joined: July 03, 2003 Posts: 11396 Location: Irvine, CA
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Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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coad wrote: |
[email protected] wrote: |
Coad- Better late than never right? Here is a shot despicting the differences between early (1953-55) and late (1956-on) fonts used by Motorola. The earlier version is on top.
I'd sell it, but out of the 7 radio I have, it's the only early version |
Hmmm, the sort of difference only a true fanatic would care about. Good to know (Thanks Glenn) but I don't think I'll lose much sleep over the fact that I have the wrong faceplate.
53Oval on the other hand will now begin a frantic hunt on three continents trying to find one, so I consider this thread a success |
Funny guy. I must admit they are more interesting to me now that I have this tidbit of information. I always considered them junk before. Now they are junk with a history. _________________ "What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away." Dobee, Dobee, Do |
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dstefun Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2002 Posts: 3338 Location: Sacratomato
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Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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l227 - look on the right side of your radios for the stamped Motorola model number. You'll probably find the early version is a 5M or 6M while the later version is a 7M or 8M. These were universal radios sold by Motorola to mount in just about anything - hence the multitude of holes drilled in the front. They had different mounting brackets for different cars and the brackets mounted in different places. The digit in the model number (5,6,7) roughly corresponds to year, and there are minor differences (like the dial lettering) in each year. Most differences were not cosmetic though, just electrical. _________________ ~~~~~~~~
Radio Questions R Us - what'cha need to know?
"Out! Out! You demons of stupidity!"
Remember - You are required to get older but you are not required to grow up!
62 SC & 66 Bus |
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eddiemoney East Coast Scavenger
Joined: April 08, 2004 Posts: 1950 Location: Orlando
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Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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from now on all ill buy are pre 55 motorola radios non of that 56 and later fat chick crap _________________ --------------------------------------
Will
instagram im_eating_pizza |
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RareAir Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2002 Posts: 14577 Location: 18 miles North of the border
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Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 7:13 am Post subject: |
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dstefun wrote: |
These were universal radios sold by Motorola to mount in just about anything - hence the multitude of holes drilled in the front. They had different mounting brackets for different cars and the brackets mounted in different places. |
Yes, I am aware of this fact. I've seen the Big M Motorola radio installed in 50s Volvo as well as 1958-later Beetles. When installed in a later bug, it has a cool looking stamped block off which it mounts to. _________________ 1947 Typ 11a
1954 Typ 117
1956 Typ 151
1959 Typ 117
1959 Typ 265
1961 356B
1966 Typ 151
1966 Typ 241 |
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RareAir Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2002 Posts: 14577 Location: 18 miles North of the border
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Dlux55 Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2008 Posts: 19 Location: Chicago ILL.
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Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:09 am Post subject: motorola radio |
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Can anyone identify this faceplate, it came in my Jan. 1955 deluxe beetle. Date on side of radio is 5 M. Still works great, takes awhile to warm up, crackles and pops, nothing like listening to an old radio.
Dlux55 |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69828 Location: Phoenix Metro
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andy rowe Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2004 Posts: 115 Location: plymouth uk
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 10:56 am Post subject: |
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i have one in my 55 |
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TRparts Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2005 Posts: 153 Location: oc california
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 10:50 am Post subject: Re: Big M Radio Question |
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let me put something clear my vintage very low production classic MERCEDES BENZ on the driveway and the junk looking VOLKSWAGEN in the garage also i love my german blaupunkts, telefunken becker radios I'M not here to start a debate or to offend anybody but to share what i learned from the elder vw collectors and lovers
that is proper M motorola radio early plate note is an radio wave style logo!
motorola was the radio that most bugs got other makes offered radios some did not worked as good. reception was lousy and radios were expensive. thus motorola became the standard and reception was good on the motorola on the early radio waves.
also please remember that as part of GERMANY'S reconstruction THE PEOPLE'S CAR basicly sparked hope again (no other company can claim that.)
and a lot of common families were waiting for the car they had preordered by buying bonds.
US and GREAT BRITAIN and other ally countries had lot of influence on car, such as machinery,paint ,rubber,bearings,tyres,glass, fabrics electronics ( I know tires ) all were a commodity everywhere in the world and of course manufacturers were eager to cash in and offer their products thus motorola offered their radios in the US; and became the standard and of course made in the USA was a big thing back then !
there was no other way to drive and show your new american econo car unless had a motorola radio " early VOLKSWAGENS is been in US since the beginning thus is also consider an american car " please do not touch my 68 bug in the garage take the mercedes. |
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