Firestorm Red 1955 RCA Victor Model 6-X-8B "The Wilshire" Vacuum Tube AM Clock Radio Rare Color Sounds Tremendous!
DESCRIPTION: Tabletop vacuum tube AM radio manufactured by RCA Victor in 1955 excellent working and physical condition. Looks like the RCA designers were taking lesson from Cubism and (then) modern art movement when they came up with this radio. Has large 'palm -grip' size tuning dial perched atop a cabinet that's unusually boxy for the period. Not revolutionary by today's standards but must have been an eye-opener when it was first introduced!
SOUND QUALITY: Picks up AM stations clearly and loudly up and down the dial without need of external antenna attachment.
CABINET CONDITION: Cabinet is in excellent condition. No chips or major scratches any where on the cabinet. Original factory molded red color. Not repainted, no touch, not over sprayed. There is a small stress fracture on bottom by stabilizing feet. Factory mirror glossy. The gold front plastic grill is in excellent condition with no greening, no cracked slats not repainted original factory gold paint.
KNOBS: The knobs are in excellent condition. No broken attachment posts. No missing gold metal center inserts. The tuning dial is a gorgeous gold and makes a visual statement on top while being functional. The tuning dial works fine and smooth no slipping.
BACKING BOARD: Original factory backing board is in excellent condition with no breaks, no fatigued corners, and with clear factory printing.
INTERNAL ELECTRONICS: All paper and wax capacitors have been replaced with modern equivalents so this radio has another 50+ years or more of playing time! The tubes on this vintage radio are working fine. Both Intermediate Frequency Transformers (IFTs) have been rebuilt to ensure loud peak volumes and static-free performance. All out-of-spec resistors have been replaced with modern correct value and voltage equivalents. There is no loud or pervasive hum. There is no loud or pervasive static between stations unless you operate near modern megahertz devices. The set has been aligned according to factory specifications. The radio has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected. All wiring has been thoroughly checked for possible bridging and weak solder connection.
FACTORY LABELS: Original factory bottom label is intact. Covered with clear tape for protection.
POWER CORD: The power cord and plug are good original working condition with no cracks, or splits. No exposed wiring.
COLOR: Red. Very rare color for this model and manufacturer
YOUTUBE VIDEO here
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 11" x 6" x 6" (l x w x h)
WEIGHT: 3 lbs 5 oz
Product: antique radio, vintage radio, retro radio, vacuum tube radio, AM radio, art deco, mid-century product.
Category: radio
Cabinet construction: plastic
Period: 1950s
Country of manufacture: USA
Electronics: Mounted circuit board or chassis. Vacuum tube circuit.
Vacuum tubes: tested and working. Amplifier, converter, detector, pre-amplifier, rectifier