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Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:27 am

Is there any listing of what model sapphire radios are correct for what year vehicle etc.
I've noticed some of the high prices people are asking for them. I've always had a few stashed away, and hell if they're fetching that much cash I'll put them up for sale.

Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:45 am

PM with an email address and I'll send you a larger scan.

Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:39 pm

If you want to sell radios, the ones that go for top dollar are cosmetically perfect, complete with all knobs and faceplates, and they actually work. As-is usually drops the price by at least 100% because even basic radio repairs will cost $50-$100. AM-FM's are most in demand and command the highest prices. Don't expect high $ from rusty POS radios with no knobs or faceplates, and you don't even know if they work.

Sapphire I's first came out in 1960. There are actually 7 different models of Sapphire I's (and 3 models of Sapphire II's), depending on year and manufacturer, but there are only 2 main styles, 1960-61 and 1962-65. For the purist, there are minor differences in all of them. For example 1960-61 and 1962-63 models have ivory knobs and pushbuttons while 1964-65 radios have grey knobs and pushbuttons. Models 1960-1964 have Conelrad Civil Defence markings on the dials, later ones do not.

There is no difference in the actual radio between bug, bus, or Ghia. Usually there were differences in knobs, faceplates, bezels, speakers, and antennas. In the list above from Envious note that 1962 models R2BV, R2BT, and R2BG are really the same radio and the radio itself is stamped 2BV. The other models are merely marketing numbers for the different body types that would have included the proper installation parts for that model.

1960-67 models will pretty much fit anything back to 58 if you have the proper faceplate and brackets. Ghias from 1962-66 use the same dash bezel that is used on buses. 1960-61 Sapphire I's include the bus/Ghia bezel as part of the radio, and these radios will also fit in oval dashes (and look quite nice).

All 1960 to 63 I's say Sapphire I by Bendix because they were only made by Bendix in those years. For 1964-65 they just say Sapphire I because both Bendix and Motorola made Sapphire I's in 1964.

AM-FM Sapphire II's & IV's & VI's were made by Bendix. They are mono only, but they do include a fader control for a rear speaker. AM-FM-MPX (stereo) wasn't available until the Sapphire XVI from Motorola in 1971. 8 track units in 1967 and later were true stereo, but were never AM-FM, just AM and 8 track.

Since radios were always dealer installed, it is quite normal to find cars where the original radio is a different year than the car. I.E. 1964 radios in 1965 cars, 1965 radios in 1966 cars, etc. The dealers were just using up their existing stock. And later owners put in whatever they had or could get. If you went to the dealer in 1966 for a radio for your '58, you probably ended up with a Sapphire III because that's what was on the shelf.

Up to 1969 you can usually tell the year by the first digit of the model number - 0B is 1960, 1B is 1961, 2BV is 1962, etc. If it includes a B in the model number (like 0B) it was made by Bendix, if it includes an M (like 4TMV) it was made by Motorola. There is one exception to that rule where Bendix made a Sapphire II in 1965 with both a B and an M in the model (5FMBV). The model numbers are usually stamped into the left side of the case.

Sapphire I AM 6 volt (7 models) 1960-65
Sapphire II AM-FM 6 volt (3 models) 1962-65
Sapphire III AM 6 volt (2 models) 1966
Sapphire IV AM-FM 6 volt 1966
Sapphire V AM 12 volt (3 models) 1967
Sapphire VI AM-FM 12 volt 1967
Sapphire VII AM 6 or 12 volt 1969 (yes, 1969, not 1967) And why 6V or 12V in 1969?? Weird ugly radio.
Sapphire VIII AM-8 track 12 volt 1967
Sapphire IX AM 12 volt (3 models) 1968-69 (including one that looks exactly like a 1967 Sapphire V, but the tag on the dial does say Sapphire IX - I think Motorola was using up their excess inventory V's - that one was only used in 1968 Type 3's and even uses '67 black rubber knobs)
Sapphire Playtape I & II 1968
Sapphire X AM-FM 12 volt 1968
Sapphire XI AM 12 volt (2 models) 1970
Sapphire XII AM-FM 12 volt 1970
Sapphire XIII AM 12 volt 1969 (yes 1969, not 70 or 71)
Sapphire XIV AM-FM 12 volt (2 models) 1971-72
Sapphire XV AM 12 volt (4 models) 1971
Sapphire XVI AM-FM-MPX (stereo) 12 volt (2 models) 1971
Sapphire XVII AM-8 track 12 volt 1971
Sapphire XVIII AM 12 volt (3 models) 1973-74
Sapphire XIX AM-FM 12 volt (2 models) 1972-75
Sapphire XX AM-FM-MPX (stereo) 12 volt 1972
Sapphire XXI AM-8 track 12 volt (4 models) 1973-74
Sapphire XXV AM-FM-MPX (stereo) 12 volt (2 models) 1973-74

After 1973 many radios did not carry a Sapphire designation, and the same radios were used in VW, Audi, & Porsche, with different knobs & faceplates.

Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:52 pm

I've seen a lot of Sapphire Is that seem to do well on eBay but I still see them at almost every show for $5-$10. I bought a Sapphire I for $15 a month or so ago but it had a Bus faceplate on it so I went for it.

Sapphire II AM/FM radios seem to be getting expensive. I have seen a few up in the $200 range in working condition.

Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:00 am

I have a blaupunkt Emden 3 that came in my 67 square. It has a connection for a external amp. Is this the correct radio for the car?

Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:00 am

dstefun wrote: Ghias from 1962-66 use the same dash bezel that is used on buses. 1960-61 Sapphire I's include the bus/Ghia bezel as part of the radio, and these radios will also fit in oval dashes (and look quite nice)

thanks for the info
have you (or anyone) example pics of the different Sapphire 1 faceplates?

i have a Sapphire 1 for my Ghia, and was thinking of leaving the chrome faceplate off - thoughts?

thanks
RS

Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:01 am

griff 63 wrote: I have a blaupunkt Emden 3 that came in my 67 square. It has a connection for a external amp. Is this the correct radio for the car?

Emden IIIs were used for the 68 model year onwards (Aug 67 and up).

Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:10 pm

RockStock wrote: have you (or anyone) example pics of the different Sapphire 1 faceplates?
Rich Langenwalter has very nice front and rear pix of the early ('60-'67) faceplates on his site. Thanks Rich!
http://home.comcast.net/~vwradio/kps/KnobsPlatesSpeakers.htm

RockStock wrote:
i have a Sapphire 1 for my Ghia, and was thinking of leaving the chrome faceplate off - thoughts?

Personal opinion, I probably wouldn't like it. You don't need it 62-66 to mount your radio but it will leave an ugly gap around the dial unless you plan to fill the gap with something else.

Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:22 am

thank you (& to rich)
it'll go in a 59, & will look like this

from Rich's site:
"Without the Bug face plate, the early Sapphire I installed in many VW models and years. The Bus (to ’67?), Ghia (to ’65?) and Oval windowed Bugs used a 3-hole dash opening as shown below in a ’57 Oval. This radio fits directly into the 3-hole dash making it a good choice for many early models"

i see the S1 started in 60, but my S1 radio actually came in a Sept 58 Ghia Coupe, 1 owner, so guess it was installed when they came out

Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:53 am

griff 63 wrote: I have a blaupunkt Emden 3 that came in my 67 square. It has a connection for a external amp. Is this the correct radio for the car?

From what I understand, many times a radio wasn't bought when the car was bought but added later. So it was not uncommon for a later radio to be installed in an earlier vehicle. Of course certain dash configurations changed i.e. the early bus and the '67 bus is a prime example. The Sapphire I style radio won't fit properly. And the Sapphire V won't fit in an earlier bus. So it's possible that your Blaupunkt may be the radio that was installed in your car.

Dave please correct me if I am wrong.

Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:23 am

RockStock wrote: i see the S1 started in 60, but my S1 radio actually came in a Sept 58 Ghia Coupe, 1 owner, so guess it was installed when they came out
Or any time after, depending on the year of the radio. The one in your picture above (with the big pushbuttons) is from 1960-61.

The chrome surrounding the dial is part of the radio on all 1960-61 Sapphire I's but is provided by the separate chrome bezel on all 1962-65 S-I's. There are actually 7 different models of Sapphire I's depending on year and manufacturer.

Jerry J wrote: From what I understand, many times a radio wasn't bought when the car was bought but added later. So it was not uncommon for a later radio to be installed in an earlier vehicle. Of course certain dash configurations changed i.e. the early bus and the '67 bus is a prime example. The Sapphire I style radio won't fit properly. And the Sapphire V won't fit in an earlier bus. So it's possible that your Blaupunkt may be the radio that was installed in your car.

Dave please correct me if I am wrong.

All Sapphire I's-VI's should mount in almost any bus if you have the proper bezel or faceplate and backing plate. S-I's, II's, III's, IV's will mount in a 67 bus if you have the 67 bus faceplate and backing plate (but those radios are still 6 volt and a 67 bus is 12V). A Sapphire V or VI from 1967 will mount in a 66 or earlier bus by using an early bus bezel. (But then the radio is 12V and the bus is 6V unless it's been converted).
-Dave

Wed Feb 18, 2015 1:24 pm

Hi
I have a 1960 so23 in which one is mounted a Sapphire I radio, it seems to be period correct radio but it only works in AM waves, that means it can't work here in europe....
Does there is a way to make it working in FM or just keep it as a display ?

Wed Feb 18, 2015 1:42 pm

palmgreen57 wrote: Hi
I have a 1960 so23 in which one is mounted a Sapphire I radio, it seems to be period correct radio but it only works in AM waves, that means it can't work here in europe....
Does there is a way to make it working in FM or just keep it as a display ?

huh? when did mittelwelle (AM) stop working in europe? you might not be be able to get UKW (FM) but radio will work...

Wed Feb 18, 2015 1:46 pm

sorry, maybe I made a mistake, I mean it's not waves who are till used in europe, the radio start up but can't work, I can't listen FM with it

Wed Feb 18, 2015 2:00 pm

palmgreen57 wrote: sorry, maybe I made a mistake, I mean it's not waves who are till used in europe, the radio start up but can't work, I can't listen FM with it

no, no mistake, i have been gone from europe for over 15 years... I simply did not know that analog terrestrial radio is almost completely gone by now.

Seems FM will be around a little while longer. Seems you need a full on conversion, where they stick new guts into your old radio.

Wed Feb 18, 2015 2:35 pm

yes you're right, I've read that FM waves may desapear soon in France, maybe it's right :( so the futur of these radio is only display ?
maybe there is a way to install a jake plug to play mp3 via the radio ? I can't see any plug on it

Wed Feb 18, 2015 7:30 pm

there are quite a few options.

custom autosound might be an option?

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/custom-autosound

Tue Apr 28, 2015 9:04 am

Who can help steer me to a better than standard radio for my 61 bus? I want to put a Blaupunkt or Becker in the bus that has mp3 ability via the din connector. But how do I make sure to buy one that fits my bus dash? I see many refurbished old units on the net, does anyone have a favorite?

Tue Apr 28, 2015 9:58 am

Red Fau Veh wrote: Who can help steer me to a better than standard radio for my 61 bus? I want to put a Blaupunkt or Becker in the bus that has mp3 ability via the din connector. But how do I make sure to buy one that fits my bus dash? I see many refurbished old units on the net, does anyone have a favorite?

I have a Blaupunkt Dortmund Deluxe restored by Rich Oakley. He makes a mini-stereo to Din adapter that connects to the rear of the radio. I use my iPhone mp3's with it. Then I output it to the dash speaker and a rear amp that pushed 2 6x9's and 2 6.5" speakers mounted in a vintage suitcase and a mazda powered subwoofer that fits in my spare tire behind the front seats. Everything is hidden so it looks stock (except for the suitcase which I can remove in seconds). It is really loud and sounds really good with the stock look. I will post photos of the install once I take pics. Technically, the radio is for the early 70's, but it looks the part once installed.

Tue Apr 28, 2015 11:03 am

palmgreen57 wrote: yes you're right, I've read that FM waves may desapear soon in France, maybe it's right :( so the futur of these radio is only display ?
maybe there is a way to install a jake plug to play mp3 via the radio ? I can't see any plug on it

I had a vintage Sapphire III radio converted to 12V and retrofitted with a plug so I can listen to my Ipod through it. I can also plug it into my IPhone and stream from the internet.

It is an AM only radio correct for my 66 kombi, but I wanted additional music options.