Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hello

What kind of radio can I fit to my elan S3? I want to put a period radio but with FM. Where is located the speaker? My car is now positive earth. Is it better to update to negative earth?
I don't know If It's a good idea a radio in an elan ...

Regards

Diego

The oldest period FM radio I could find was one like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLAUPUNKT-ES ... Swxg5X0uYQ. I think it's from 1966 or 67. They used to be a lot cheaper

These also have a DIN connector at the back that you can use to connect an iPod or phone.

The FM works well and doesn't get the interference that you get on MW/LW, but it needs an FM antenna. (I fitted an interior-mounted one on the underside of the body inside the boot, a bit like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amplified-Ca ... 0507.m3226.)

Some companies offer similar period radios but with modern electronics, but the original equipment works fine.

A single speaker fits under the grille in the centre of the crash pad.

After all that, I hardly use it

Paddy

I believe the factory fitted radio was a Radiomobile 970, they turn up on eBay from time to time.

Mazzini wrote:I believe the factory fitted radio was a Radiomobile 970, they turn up on eBay from time to time.

my 1970 parts manual (dates March 1971) lists 2 models, US and non US, and only mentions MW LW...

I have a Philips Turnolock 314, which has the advantage of being pretty short to fit in a crammed dash area, but no FM... There was a single central loudspeaker, oval in shape, in the rear vertical cardboard part, which I've removed also to add lightness : I only listen to the engine when in an elan anyway.

Mazzini wrote:I believe the factory fitted radio was a Radiomobile 970, they turn up on eBay from time to time.

My April 67 S3 se has the Radiomobile 970

My April S3 had one too. If you look at the contemporary road tests they all did, it was listed as an OE on the factory price lists, it was so expensive the price was given in guineas!

AHM - Long time no see on the forum, how are things? How's that lovely original S3 of your coming along?

Mazzini wrote:I believe the factory fitted radio was a Radiomobile 970, they turn up on eBay from time to time.

I just tried a quick internet search, and found this on a auction site (no affiliation on my part) :



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RadioMobile- ... Sw9RlZ1kSo

no FM though...

That's a nice one, it has the alloy bits by the control knobs and the Radiomobile label is still there - often these bits go missing. Nice find and no association with the seller.

When I had my S3 Coupe renovated by Vegantune Spalding in 1983, I supplied a new radio with FM and tape cassette player. I never thought to ask them to return the old replaced radio to me. Originality just wasn't an issue back then.


So I still have this 'newer' radio.

To play from an MP3 player etc I bung in a dummy tape cassette which passes the signal to the original tape play heads by magnetism.

Mazzini wrote:AHM - Long time no see on the forum, how are things? How's that lovely original S3 of your coming along?

I bought a house last year so now I have space but no time or money. The plan was to sell the S3 before buying the house.... It Just needs assembling!