Big M Radio Question

[coad]

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?

[53 0val]

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.
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"What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away." Dobee, Dobee, Do

[coad]

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.

[RareAir]

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.
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1947 Typ 11a
1954 Typ 117
1956 Typ 151
1959 Typ 117
1959 Typ 265
1961 356B
1966 Typ 151
1966 Typ 241

[RareAir]

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
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1947 Typ 11a
1954 Typ 117
1956 Typ 151
1959 Typ 117
1959 Typ 265
1961 356B
1966 Typ 151
1966 Typ 241

[coad]

[53 0val]

[dstefun]

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.
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[eddiemoney]

from now on all ill buy are pre 55 motorola radios non of that 56 and later fat chick crap
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Will

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[RareAir]

[RareAir]

Here's a pic of a Big M radio fitted to my buddy Brent's (broke62') 59 Beetle that he recently picked up. Love the Ivory knobs...

_________________
1947 Typ 11a
1954 Typ 117
1956 Typ 151
1959 Typ 117
1959 Typ 265
1961 356B
1966 Typ 151
1966 Typ 241

[Dlux55]

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

[EverettB]

I don't know the details but I have seen that faceplate in at least one VW in the past.
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[andy rowe]

i have one in my 55

[TRparts]

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.