A rare find for those restoring an early 70's VW Beetle, Bus, Ghia or Type 3. Offering is for a NOS (New Old Stock) open box Motorola Sapphire XVIII AM Radio. I acquired this radio as part of an estate liquidation.
The Sapphire XVIII comes COMPLETE with the radio, original single speaker, original antenna, condenser, two brackets, speaker gasket, original paperwork and the original box. The radio has been bench tested with the original speaker and antenna and is in working order. I was able to tune into 3 local AM stations, I set 3 of the present buttons to those stations, the last two presets were set to random spots on the band...just to show that the buttons do indeed work. Please view the enclosed video, it shows the radio being powered up, the light illuminating, the radio pulling station signals and the presets working. The faceplate with VOLKSWAGEN script is in immaculate condition...it is new after all. There are no cracks or chips, it survived over 50 years of being stored.
While the radio shows as new on the face, I will note that it was stored by the previous owner where the box got damp. As such, some of the screws on the back of the radio case do show some oxidation...however the radio doesn't seem to have suffered any damage other than this cosmetic issue. Additionally, the speaker, while working perfectly, does have a bit of a musty odor. My guess is that a little time out of the bag and in the fresh air, the odor issue will resolve itself. The box shows obvious wear and moisture damage, as does the original owner's manual...see pics. PLEASE NOTE...this item is 50+ years old, while the video clearly shows a working unit, I cannot guarantee how long it will work under running conditions. There is no warranty stated or implied. Buyer acknowledges that the lifespan of a piece of vintage electronics cannot be known, guessed or guaranteed.
Buyer should follow all instructions for installation and use. Old radios should not be powered up if not wired to a speaker. Powering this radio without a speaker hooked up can damage the unit.
According to GROK A.I., the Sapphire XVIII would have been a VW dealer option for 1971 - 1975 models that include the Beetle, Ghia, Bus, and Type 3. The main radio unit would have also been available with the Porsche 914 and Audi Fox...with a different faceplate.
This item will be shipped fully insured, with a signature required upon delivery.
