Anthracite Black Bakelite 1954 Zenith Deluxe "Owl Eyes" Model L515 Vacuum Tube Radio Looks and Sounds Great! Excellent Condition!
DESCRIPTION: Very beautiful and highly sought after design from Zenith! The famous Zenith "Owl Eyes!" Vintage 1951 tabletop vacuum tube AM radio manufactured by Zenith in excellent working and physical condition.
CABINET CONDITION: No cracks or major scratches. Small chip by one of the grill vanes under the word "Deluxe." Original factory molded black Bakelite. Not repainted. No over spray no touch up. None needed. Usually, these owl eyes are found in brown. Black is less common. All original factory gold metal film pieces surrounding clock and tuning are in excellent condition.
SOUND QUALITY: This radio picks up AM stations real clearly and very loudly around the dial without need of external antenna attachment.
DIAL LIGHT: No dial light. Not designed with one but can be added for an extra charge.
KNOBS: The tuning and volume knobs of this vintage tube radio are original and securely attached. Not missing gold metal center inserts. 2 of the 3 clock function knobs are matrching, original black plastic and securely attached. The sleep timer knob is a replacement black plastic knob, excellent condition, securely attached. Tuning pointer is original excellent condition and securely attached.
CLOCK: Clock works and keeps accurate time. Clock motor is silent. Clock and alarm set functions work. Sleep function works. Wake to radio or alarm works.
INTERNAL ELECTRONICS: The capacitors been replaced with modern equivalents so this radio has another 50+ years or more of playing time! Both Intermediate Frequency Transformers (IFTs) have been rebuilt or replaced to ensure static free performance. The tubes are working fine. 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.
POWER CORD: Brand new replacement power cord and safety polarized power plug is in excellent condition, no cracks, or splits. No exposed wiring.
BACKING BOARD: Original backing board is intact in very good to excellent condition. All four t-pins are intact. These Zenith backing boards are unusually flimsy in design. Many surviving examples have missing backing boards or backing boards that are in poor condition.
LABELS: Bottom factory labels is mostly intact and readable.
PROVENANCE: Was gently used, lovingly displayed, or stored in a dry cool environment for a long period of time. No evidence of prolonged exposure to moisture, smoking, cooking grease, pets or thick carpet. Was acquired recently from a long time avid collector from Seattle.
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 13" x 5.5" x 5.5" (l x w x h)
WEIGHT: 4 lbs 13 oz
COLOR: black
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Product: antique radio, vintage radio, retro radio, vacuum tube radio, AM radio, art deco, mid-century product.
Category: radio
Cabinet construction: Bakelite
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