50s & 60s Radios - Plastic Alphabetical by brand Click on a radio for an enlarged view...

 

Airline 15GCB-1583 (1952?) This radio is almost identical to the Majestic model 5A410. The only real differences are the knobs, the brand name, and the fact that this one is unpainted.

 

Arvin 451-TL (1950) This ivory painted bakelite radio has a thick, clear plastic ring around the dial, reverse-painted in gold. When the radio is on, the ring lights up and white numbers and stars seem to hover in space around the speaker grille.

 

Arvin 2563 (1957) Well, everybody's gotta have at least one green radio! This radio has three different shades of green in its design.

 

Arvin 2581 (1959) Did I mention everyone should have a pink radio, too? Arvin called this color "persimmon." In any color, this radio design screams 50s.

 

Arvin 2581 (1959) Here is the other color this radio came in: charcoal.

 

CBS-Columbia T203 (1956) Here's an incredibly curvy, "googie" 50s design in black and yellow plastic with a great gold, three-pointed "steering wheel" tuning knob.

 

Crosley 10-136E (1950) How about a dashboard? A uniquely styled set, to say the least. I have another one in white and chrome.

 

Crosley 11-100U (1951) You want fins...we got fins! This radio has fins, louvers, and a streamlined clear pointer.

 

Crosley 11-105U (1951) More fins, but this time in a vivid yellow. Repainted in original color. Contributed by Mike Anderson.

 

Fada 830 (1950) The plastic (not bakelite) of this radio is very swirled.

 

Meteor (Sears) 7000 (1957) This goofy gray radio was made by Sears. The design and name lead me to believe it was aimed at young boys; what kid wouldn't want a "Meteor" radio?

 

Motorola 56R (1956?) Beautiful space-age styling in a bright red plastic cabinet.

 

Motorola 5T22Y-1 (1957) Motorola sure came up with some interesting designs in the 50s, and this pristine example is no exception. The only subtle design element is the gentle curve to the whole front face. Some call this radio the "dragster" because of its shape.

 

Philco 50-925 (1950) A large AM/FM radio with a bold, slanted grille design. Brown bakelite. Contributed item.

 

Philco 51-532 "Transitone" (1951) Although this radio pre-dates the movie, the grille reminds me of Robbie the Robot's face from "Forbidden Planet." The grille is a clear plastic lattice with gold cloth behind it.

 

Zenith H511 "Consol-Tone" (1951) An oval Zenith design from the early fifties. Bakelite cabinet with a large, metal nameplate across the front. The "Z" in the Zenith crest at the top lights up.

Copyright © by Don Adamson. All Rights Reserved.