Sapphire II radio help

[CookieMonster35]

Hi,

I recently came into a Sapphire II radio. I'm not sure if it's 6 or 12 volt, because I couldn't find anything in the forums or the classifieds. However, I read on a site google took me to that 6v Sapphire II's were worth a chunk, even as junk.

Anyone have any answers to any of these?
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Jake

Updating threads nobody wants to see since 2010.

[CookieMonster35]

30 (date)Apr-65 146 (model #)5FMBV (name)Sapphire II (manufacturer)Bendix (year of vehicle)65 (what it was in)Sedan (volts)6 (Bands)AM/FM

So how much is it worth?
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Jake

Updating threads nobody wants to see since 2010.

[GB2S]

I got a Sapphire II radio years ago. I got the radio before I got a car.

The radio was manufactured as a 6 volt. I think the first year for them was for 1964. What's it worth? It's worth what anybody is will to pay.

Are are the knobs there. how about the chrome faceplate and the mounting plate. What about all the wires conditions.

I paid $10.00 over 35 years ago.

Geoff
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1963 Ragtop

[CookieMonster35]

Yeah, but then you gotta remember that 35 years ago people bought barndoors and splits for $700.

Everythings intact, I imagine it works, as it sat in a split for 45 years that sat in a garage for 35 years. The knobs are there, everything moves as it should, If I knew someone with a 6v car, I'd see if it worked. But I imagine it would work. If it doesn't, I'm sure something just needs soldered.
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Jake

Updating threads nobody wants to see since 2010.

[EverettB]

It's 6v.
The first year for the Sapphire II was 1963.

Value... I see them go for $200+ sometimes on eBay for unknown ones that are clean. Find out if it's working, it's worth more.

[CookieMonster35]

Okay. So how would I find out if it works? I don't have a 6v car to try it on. My brother has a '63 beetle, but it was converted to 12v.
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Jake

Updating threads nobody wants to see since 2010.

[EverettB]

I've never tested them but you could use a 6v battery charger. You need to know how to hook it up and you need a speaker with the proper ohms rating.

Here are some threads I found
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=194904
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=175828
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[CookieMonster35]

Thanks, Everett. It's awesome to have the website creator constantly helping others. I'm a member on a different very popular guitar site, and the creator is hardly ever on.

Thanks for all of your help!
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Jake

Updating threads nobody wants to see since 2010.

[CookieMonster35]

Okay, I just took about 7000 pictures. Give me a moment to upload them to the gallery.

This is mounted in a piece of Aluminum (or aluminium for you Brits). I received it from mrjobe and the owner of the split that this was fitted into.

As I got it. But wiped down and cleaned a bit.

But what's that black knob up top?

Here's a view from the back:

The black/brown and yellow wires aren't attached to anything, but the red goes into this:

Then that black/brown wire goes into here

on the left.

What's this taped to the back?

A spare transistor?

Then there's this random green wire that goes into a Two-light stoplight looking thing:

and comes out as two black/ brown wires, that go into the same spot as the other black/brown wire, but on the middle and right.

Then there's THESE random wires rolled up that go into the side:

The other end looks like this:

And during all this I'm looking like this:

Does ANYONE know what the frick I got myself into??

Here's some more random pics:

The code you saw on the other pic.

And this:

Which meant it went on a '65 beetle.

There's the back, the only picture that I COULDN'T get to come into focus.

On the front, under a flap:

What were these rings behind the knobs for?

No face plate:

So, anyone wanna help me out?


Thanks
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Jake

Updating threads nobody wants to see since 2010.

[79SuperVert]

I'd love a Sapphire II for my '62 but they are very hard to find at a reasonable price. It doesn't seem there were very many made compared to Sapphire I's (AM only) or later models. One nice thing about a Sapphire II is that it covers the US FM band which is wider than the European FM band was at that time. If I was handy with electronics I'd take it off your hands for, oh, maybe $100. But I'm not handy. I wouldn't part with that radio too cheaply if I were you.
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Central Jersey VW Society

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[CookieMonster35]

[79SuperVert]

The "stoplight" looking thing is just an electrical connector with two screws that each pinch down a wire. I used dozens of them on my model railroad back when I had one.
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Central Jersey VW Society

Wanted: Art Collins VW (Savannah, Georgia) items - license plate surrounds and other items. Also ivory "AM", "FM" and "SW" buttons for a US Blaupunkt Frankfurt.

[EverettB]

The wiring is explained in the link I posted above.

The 5FMBV is the model code I think. I know 5 = 1965.

The extra knob above your radio I am not familiar with. It is not standard equipment for a Sapphire or a VW.

The rest are just detail shots. It's a nice collection of photos.
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[CookieMonster35]

Sorry Ev, I was looking through that .pdf pamphlet, and wow. It didn't make much sense. I guess my ADD kicked in. I'll give it another shot.

I took the shell off and got a few more pics. All the wiring seems to be intact, clean, and solid.

I disconnected the red wire from the black/brown wire(Still not sure which they are) So now I can keep the big aluminum wanna-be faceplate off-including the knob.

I'll upload the pics in a minute.

EDIT:

That was written on the inside of the shell. Any ideas what it means?

Everything seems to be in order.


So what are the rings behind the knobs for??
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Jake

Updating threads nobody wants to see since 2010.

[GB2S]

There are a number of people on this site who do radio repairs. I would suggest you have a talk with one of them before you make any attempt to see if your radio works.

You need the chrome face plate and the mounting plate. Mounting plates from a Sapphire I will fit.

Geoff
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1963 Ragtop

[CookieMonster35]

I've attempted to contact dstefun, but I've gotten no response.

The classified ad here I believe has a Sapphire II faceplate in the upper right.

But mounting plate? I can't seem to find anything about a mounting plate?
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Jake

Updating threads nobody wants to see since 2010.

[GB2S]

The mounting plate holds the radio in place in the dash. You see the chrome face plate. The mounting plate attaches behind the opening in the dash where the radio fits. There are tabs that stick out from the behind the radio opening that the the mounting plate fit into. If you have a car with the radio or delete plate off you can feel these tabs. Do a little looking I'm sure you'll find a picture.

One thing to remember is the Sapphire II did not have stereo.

Geoff
_________________
1963 Ragtop

[CookieMonster35]

I'm not worried about Mono/Stereo, I'm probably gonna end up selling it to pay for a bus.
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Jake

Updating threads nobody wants to see since 2010.

[CookieMonster35]

Okay, I just read the pamphlet that Everett recommended. Holy crap. All I learned from that is what the rings behind the knobs do.


So, in lamens terms, what do those wires do?
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Jake

Updating threads nobody wants to see since 2010.

[EverettB]