Retro GPS stereo leads cars back to the future
(Credit:
Dvice)
As many carmakers try to outdo each other with cutting-edge technologies, we may be seeing a the beginnings of a trend to take accessories back in time, at least where design is concerned.
That makes sense, especially for those of us who appreciate vintage cars but can't stand the jarring appearance of a new digital radio ruining the aesthetics of a '57 Chevy's dashboard. Companies such as RetroBelt have figure this out with products like its "Retro Sound" sound system, and now Becker has done them one better by adding GPS features to a retro stereo of its own.
In addition to the navigation, the classically pinstriped "Mexico 7948" (we're don't understand the name either) includes an MP3 player, iPod connection, voice recognition, and Internet access, according to Dvice. It's available in Europe now, though a U.S. version is planned for release this year. But at an estimated $2,300, it might better to just buy a new car.
Long before the industry referred to itself as purveyors of mobile electronics, the original Becker Mexico was a true classic car radio unit in its day. Its naming convention back then wasn't all that different than what that other German car audio company, Blaupunkt, was doing with their city-named models. This is retro, but it's also a redo of a once-loved unit that was fitted to many German cars back in the late '60s into the early '70s. As for the numbers, I'd surmise that those are the actual model designations since it seems to jibe with the rest of Becker's recent model line. The perfect modern piece of electronics for a early '70s vintage Porsche, Bimmer or Benz.