Still looking for a 355 / 550 Sony OEM radio / CD player.

The Becker is a fine radio, no doubt about that, and they were a 355 OEM option, that's also true. I also agree it looks appropriately in a Ferrari. But it, like most other aftermarket radios that could be used in a 355, is a standard DIN size, basically a rectangular face of stock DIN proportions. All DIN radios have exactly the same dimensions and face plate shape so they will fit any standard DIN opening.

Although the Sony chassis is standard DIN, its face plate is not. Its size and shape is much smaller and different than a DIN. Instead, it fits inside the OEM Ferrari radio frame (item 2 in the diagram, part # 65409000) which is not a standard DIN shape and will not fit anything but a Sony. Instead, this frame encapsulates the smaller Sony face within its inside opening and then duplicates the outer leather cowl dimensions and shape around its outer perimeter, fitting tightly up against the leather cowl on each side and bottom and under the gauge frame above.

The Becker certainly fits the radio opening within the cowl but, being a standard rectangular DIN size, does not fit up against the cowl and gauge frame surrounding it, instead leaving gaps. Not that this looks especially bad, it looks fine. But IMHO it just does not fit as well as the Sony in its frame and doesn't have as "custom" a look, one that IMHO looks more deliberately made for a 355.

Look carefully at some photos of them both and you will see what I am referring to. I suppose which one you like is a matter of personal opinion. Me....I like the Sony.

 

That asymmetrical trim may be a tough find Jerry

Bob,

I already have a new one that I bought almost 3 years ago from Eurospares. It came on an OEM Ferrari shrink wrapped plastic card. When I opened it, surprise, surprise, it was STICKY all over!! Who knows how long it had sat on Ferrari's parts shelf before I bought it. Anyway, along with a bunch of other things, I had Dave refinish it so now its perfect and ready for its radio mate.

Eurospares still lists them available at a reasonable price if you wind up needing one. I believe its mislabeled on their site and is actually for the Sony since a Becker has no use for one.