Blaupunkt Karlsruhe de Luxe 7639631
At 177 mm wide, the chrome faceplate fills the dash. It is a rare, high-end 1970s unit.
Overview
The Blaupunkt Karlsruhe de Luxe 7639631 was more than a plain car radio. It was marketed as "TOP OF THE LINE" and is consistently described as "High-End." Blaupunkt built it for drivers who wanted premium audio in their classic European cars. It is officially categorized as an "ALL BAND CLASSIC CAR" unit, and it carried Blaupunkt's reputation for precision engineering and sleek design. The name suggests a level of refinement beyond the standard factory-fit radios of its era.
Despite its vintage chrome aesthetic and classic 70s styling, the presence of "FM Radio +MP3" in modern listings signals a significant caveat: most units currently labeled as working examples are either retrofitted with modern internals or are reproductions built to mimic the original. True vintage specimens, especially those unaltered, are now "Virtually extinct" according to collectors, with original circuitry likely lost to time or upgrades. What remains is a shell of legend—prized more for its iconic look and fitment in legendary cars than for any surviving technical pedigree.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Blaupunkt |
| Model/Type number | 7639631 |
| Model/Type number | Type 7632 |
| Model/Type number | 7 635 646 |
| Model/Type number | 7 630 651 |
| Dimensions (unit) | 177 x 42 x 150 mm |
| Dimensions (body) | 7"(17.6CM) X 4.25"(12CM) X 1.75 "(4.5CM) |
| Frequency range | 108 Mhz |
| Bands | AM/FM/SW |
| Voltage | 12V/NEG- ON CHASSIS |
| Voltage | 6v12+/- |
Key Features
Solid Chrome Fascia with Black Finish
The faceplate is the main event. It is a luxury metal chrome front with a black finish, sometimes described as a universal silver variant, but always metallic and substantial. This is not plating over plastic. It is a solid chrome fascia that reflects dashboard dials and sunlight. Next to black ABS housings, the Karlsruhe stood out as dashboard jewelry, which suited the luxury and sports cars it equipped.
Classic 70s Plastic & Black Style with Bakelite Knobs
The styling is early 1970s: angular lines, a dark background, and tactile control knobs. Replacement listings mention "new bakelite knobs," which suggests the originals were either bakelite or made to look and feel like it. Original or restored, the knob texture and resistance would have given precise tuning, which counts when chasing weak FM or shortwave signals on winding mountain roads.
AM/FM/SW Bands with 108 MHz Frequency Range
12V/NEG- ON CHASSIS Power Configuration
The Karlsruhe de Luxe is designed for negative-ground 12-volt systems with chassis return. That fit the electrical setup of most European performance cars from the late 1960s onward. The specification "6v12+/-" conflicts with this, though. It may indicate a dual-voltage design, or it may be a misattribution in secondary sources.
Modern Upgradability with MP3 and Bluetooth
The "FM Radio +MP3" label in current listings is not a vintage feature. It is a retrofit. Original Karlsruhe units had no digital playback. Today's functional versions almost certainly house modern tuner modules behind the classic faceplate. Some are modified with Bluetooth streaming, which lets them fit into classic cars without giving up usability. Purists may frown, but this adaptation is what keeps the Karlsruhe working in 2024.
Collectibility & Value
The Blaupunkt Karlsruhe de Luxe is consistently described as "Very Rare" and "Virtually extinct" in original form. Its "FULLY WORKING" status in current listings likely refers to restored or upgraded units, not NOS (new old stock) examples with original electronics. It was listed as optional equipment for the Maserati Ghibli. It was commonly installed in BMW CS, CSL, CSI, 2002, Jaguar E-Type, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Porsche 911/912, and various Mercedes-Benz models from the 1968-1973 era. Those cars are now highly collectible themselves.
Asking prices vary a lot: $295 on a 2024 forum post, £400.00 on retail listings, and €550 in European markets. The range reflects condition, whether the unit is original, and whether it includes a modern upgrade. No original MSRP has been documented, but the "High-End" positioning suggests it was a costly option when new.
Similar items on eBay
No exact Blaupunkt Karlsruhe listings are live right now — these searches show current Blaupunkt and similar vintage audio gear on eBay:
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.