Transistor Radios - Vertical Alphabetical by brand Click on a radio for an enlarged view...

 

Arvin 8576 (1958) An early transistor radio. Cool turquoise color with brass dial and 50s grille design. Five transistors.

 

Best Tone A pair of Best Tone radios, six transistors, made in Japan (Todai Elect. Co.). Each has a thin, black leather case with earphones in a pocket on the right side. Thumbwheel tuning and volume are on the right. A flip-out stand is on the back.

 

Channel Master 6509 (1960) Six transistors. Wire stand. Made in Japan by Sanyo.

 

Crestline A simple radio in black and white plastic. The tuning window has a little magnifying lens to read the dial. CD markings, black leather case, six transistors. Made in Japan.

 

Speaker: General Electric P-825A (1961) This radio is made of green plastic with a cream leatherette covering and gold front trim. It has a swing handle and a cream leather case, and was made in the United States. The speaker inside this radio is unusual: it's not typical, but an armature type, similar to the old 1920s designs (like the Peerless). In this case, a coil moves a plate which moves a rod which moves the paper in the speaker.

 

Highwave 6YR-85 "Hi Fi Deluxe" This salmon-colored radio is in great shape and has an all-metal front. It works, but I wouldn't describe the sound as "hi fi" (as the name suggests). CD markings, black leather case, six transistors. Made in Japan. I'm just guessing at the model number; that's what's etched on the circuit board.

 

Jefferson-Travis JT-H204 "Deluxe 8" (1961) The face is clear plastic, reverse-painted in gold. Eight transistors, made in Japan. Has a leather case with a pouch on the strap for the earphone. Wire stand.

 

Magnavox AM-60 (1961) This attractive radio sports the Magnavox crest on the grille and a great round tuning window on the front face. The styling and details (like the thin felt circle in the plastic behind the rear flip-out stand to protect the case) on this radio are interesting. Six transistors, Japan.

 

Marvel 6YR-19 (1960s) A very tiny radio, less than three inches tall, probably made in the early sixties. Six transistors, Japan, brown leather case.

 

Peerless "Deluxe" Ten transistors, flip-out stand on back. Japan.

 

Philco NT-600-BKG (1964) This radio has a simple black plastic case with a brushed metal front. The bottom is stamped "OKINAWA," and the pebble-textured back has vents. It has a nice oval peep-hole dial design and an aqua color logo in the lower left front.

 

Realtone TR-1871 (1965) Something about the tapered, angular design of this radio appeals to me. Eight transistors, Japan, black leather case.

 

Supre-Macy M-8 A basic black radio, eight transistors, CD markings on dial, black leather case with strap. Made in Japan.

 

Sears (1960s) This radio is heavy, with a solid metal front and a textured plastic back shell in a beautiful aqua color. A plastic strap comes out of the top, and a snap on the bottom secures it flush with the back. The tuning dial is horizontal, with a full-face plastic magnifier. Probably from 1967-1969.

 

Universal PTR-62B (1963) Six transistors. Nice little radio from Japan. It's missing the label, though.

 

Westinghouse H-791P6GP (1962) A larger six transistor set. The swing stand on this one is missing. Contributed item.

 

Windsor "Boy's Radio" (1960s) This radio has the words "BOY'S RADIO" molded into the back and came with a cheap vinyl case. Two transistors, Japan.

 

Zenith Royal 20 The strap is longer than the set! This radio measures about 2½ inches wide. Metal face.

 

Zenith Royal 500 (1955) One of the "owl-eye" radios (so named because of the knob design). Seven transistors, wire stand.

 

Zenith Royal 500 (1955) An early Zenith "hand-wired" set. Seven transistors (which plug into little sockets). Has a nice leather case with earphone pouch on the back. Wire stand. Chassis 7XT40Z1.

 

Zenith Royal 500E (1960) A later version of the Zenith 500. Eight socketed transistors. A red, white, and blue label on the back proclaims "Quality-built in America by highly skilled, well-paid American workers." Wire stand. Chassis 8CT40Z7.

 

Zenith Royal 500E-1 (1961) A later version of the Zenith 500. Eight transistors soldered in place. Wire stand.

 

Zephyr 620 (1962?) This radio is pictured with its brown leather case and came in a blue and white box. The back of the radio has a tiny sticker which says "Hong Kong." The reference books show a Japanese Zephyr 620 made in 1962, but I'm guessing this radio was made a little later. Six transistors.

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