If I may try to define what is a 'genuine' factory set?
UK manufacturers used only Smiths Radiomobile units, primarily because
these were the only ones available. Until the early 1960's, these had
supplementary valve packs and made interesting twitches on ammeter
needles when you switched them on and off. Kept small boys happy for
hours. They then moved over to fully transistorised units.
Alternative makes like Blaupunkt, Ekco and Motorola were available as
independent aftermarket units.
Radio specs varied around the world.
UK and Europe used combo Medium (190-800 metres) and Long wave
(1100-2000 metres) AM only pushbutton units
For enthusiasts visiting UK autojumbles, these fully transistorised
radios are still freely available and seem to retail for about GBP40 -
say US$65?
North American cars were Medium wave only and manual tune. Never seen
one of these at an autojumble as they weren't freely available in the
UK and were mostly reserved only for export.
Rest of World Medium and Short wave combo units, manual tune. Never
seen these either - annd wouldn't want one if I did. They were a **d
to tune to a strong signal.
Dashboard cutouts *usually* weren't present and this necessitated the
use of a separate underdash fitting kit in which the single
loudspeaker was often (though not always) an integral component.
Radiomobile units ex-factory were only found on Personal Export cars
delivered for initial use in Europe before export to wherever. During
the seaborne trip, radios were mostly stolen by longshoremen and
relatively few made their way safely. FWIW, there was a general view
that UK made sets for the US market were not as popular as US made
alternatives as the waveband coverage was narrower.
To my certain knowledge, no factory fitted radios up to 1972 ever had
Triumph branding. The radio cassette player in my car is a genuine
original from 1970 but its a Sharp, has infuriatingly reliable
Japanese quality and was fitted by a local car radio specialist when
the car was new. Moreover the rear shelf pod speaker emit a peculiarly
1970's 'tinny' sound. Mostly I don't use it - unless I'm desperate!
Jonmac
MG 4305 DLO 1970 Triumph 2.5PI, TED 152318 1950 Ferguson TED20
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