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I picked up a brand new CB....that's part of an AM/FM set up

Turbo T

Certified CB Rambo
Feb 2, 2011
963
142
53
Yep you heard right....if any of you remember back in the 70's, you could get an AM/FM car radio that had a built in CB radio.

I picked up one of these brand new today. Yes it's NIB, still in wrapping and all....got it for $5.

The story goes, the seller's father in law died, and they were cleaning out his house. his wife told him to throw it away but he elected to put it on Craigslist for $5. I drove 40 miles to get it.

It's a Sparkomatic 40 channel CB. I also received the owners manual as well as the FCC 505's to fill out for a call sign. Maybe I'll fill it out and send it in and see if I get a call sign back. LOL.

The radio is a J.I.L. (never heard of it). It has AM/FM but no tape. it does have the push buttons. It also has a built in "radio cut out" which cuts out the radio when a call on the CB comes thru.

I don't have a camera right now to snap any pics but I did find this on the internet, this looks close to what I have:

i.php
 

I believe Cobra also marketed something similar... it was the 55 XLR I think. Several other manufacturers marketed versions of these as well. They were aimed at those that wanted a CB in the car but didn't want one hanging under the dashboard. As I recall there was a theft-prevention angle as well since the whole thing was in dash, but in reality all that meant was your car would get torn up a lot more when thieves broke in to steal it.

Performance wise one really couldn't expect too much from these units. To pack all the required circuitry inside necessitated compromises and that was reflected in the operation. Still, it was a novel idea for it's time.

Who knows? Maybe there is a collector somewhere who needs this model!
 
Mack you beat me to it....

Most GM cars had that as a option.. Certian models can fetch a good dollar.
like for the guy restoring a 78 Trans Am and that 'HAD TO HAVE IT" to finish his car.......


My first car was a 1971 Ford Pinto and to sweeten the deal, the salesman offered a dealer added option.....barbeque sauce!
 
That's about what it's worth, $5.

But of interest I've seen this same model go for $40 or better on eBay....probably worth a little more than $5. :tt2:

My folks had a Fleetwood Cadillac with a factory AM/FM/CB in it which wasn't very 10/8.

Most likely because they tried using the factory AM/FM antenna....bad idea.

I believe Cobra also marketed something similar... it was the 55 XLR I think.

You are right....
cobra55xlr.jpg
 
Ok, finally got the camera back and snapped some pics....whatcha think?

This is the CB portion of it. 40 channels.
 

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Here's the radio portion of it. AM/FM push button.
 

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Here's all the paperwork...owners manuals for both CB and car radio...warranty card (LOL), FCC form 555 temporary operator permit, FCC handbook from April 1976, revision to FCC handbook dated August 4, 1976 (covers the "new" 17 channels that made 23 channel CB service into 40 channels starting January 1, 1977), FCC form 505 CB radio license application, instructions on how to install the car radio and a license card for the wallet.
 

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Mack you beat me to it....

Most GM cars had that as a option.. Certian models can fetch a good dollar.
like for the guy restoring a 78 Trans Am and that 'HAD TO HAVE IT" to finish his car.......

If I were trying to sell this unit, that's exactly where I would go. There is a Bandit web site with a bunch of black and gold Trans Am enthusiasts there. You might have a good chance of selling it there. But, I still don't think it will fetch a big $$ amount.

Still a pretty unusual find!

73,
RT307
 


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