TCS Radio Question

[literarymadness]

What would have been the factory radio that came with the 1972 TC/TCS?  Or were they all dealer installed? I would like to replace the radio/cassette player currently in my TCS (that seems to be from the '90s) with something more period correct.  If there was no factory installed radio, then what would be something a dealer would install in 1972, either a radio or radio /cassette player?

[jbcollier]

Radios were supplied either by the distributor or the dealer.  Find a period flier listing the options for your year and area (Lotus West).

[BDA]

John's right that radios were installed at the dealers or distributors. IIRC, they put a Becker stereo cassette deck in mine (even though I can't find it listed on my invoice so maybe they gave it to me!). I think that over the years, I've heard about others who also had Becker radios but I don't know how common they really were. As John suggests, you can also go the extra mile and find an old ad that mentions the radio and look for one of those and you can get vintage style radios with modern electronics.

[Pfreen]

I’d put in a Becker Europa!  Seems appropriate😊

[jbcollier]

I have a few Lotus sales sheets from back in the day.  A couple from Lotus East:

- 1968 and they are advertising the S1/46 with no options available.

- 1970 and the only option is AC!

- 1974 and a Becker radio cassette is an option

A few sheets from the UK where Philips "Turnlock" radios are optional.

[Bainford]

Mine still has the dealer fitted AM/FM 8-track. I forget the brand name, but I'm thinking Phillips or Craig. I'll verify when I'm home.

[Sandyman]

Bainford, does your 8 track still work? If soI have some vintage tapes you might like.

[jbcollier]

The only option for the S1 in Canada was an AM/FM 8-track.

[RoddyMac]

The '69 Elan +2 and '69 B GT that I had, and the current '68 Elan S4 had Pye Major radios in them.  Couldn't say if they were dealer fitted or not,  but to me it's strange that all three had the same radios and I think all three were sold new in Vancouver. 

[literarymadness]

I just found this memo.