Saddle Tan 1955 Motorola Model 55B1 AM Portable Vacuum Tube Radio Sounds Great! Excellent Condition!
DESCRIPTION: Portable vacuum tube AM radio manufactured by Motorola in 1955 time frame in excellent working condition and physical condition.
SOUND QUALITY: Picks up AM stations around the dial without need of external antenna attachment.
CABINET CONDITION: Cabinet is original tan fabric covered steel construction. All original factory colors through and through. Not repainted no touch up no over spray. No cracks, chips, or major scratches. The brown plastic handle swivels and serves as antenna. Brown plastic grill is in excellent condition with no cracks, chips, or major scratches. Front and back closes securely and stays clasped shut. No broken hinges.
DIAL LIGHT: No dial light. Not designed with one.
KNOBS: Factory original matching brown plastic volume and tuning knobs are in excellent condition. Tuning numbers are faded but somewhat readable. The tuning dial works fine no slipping or sticky spots.
POWER CORD: Original power cable is securely attached no breaks, splits, or exposed wiring. Stores inside radio battery cavity when not in use.
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 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. The set has been aligned according to factory specifications. All wiring has been thoroughly checked for possible bridging and weak solder connection. The radio has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected.
BATTERIES: Battery size for this radio is no longer available through major retail stores. There are battery reproduction companies that may build batteries which fit.
BACKING BOARD: Antenna is internal. No backing board antenna.
HINGES: Excellent condition no breaks.
FACTORY LABELS AND STICKERS: No missing internal factory labels. Readable factory printing.
PROVENANCE: Previous owner identity is not known. Was gently used then stored in a dry cool environment for a long period of time. No evidence of prolonged exposure to cigarette smoking, moisture, or pets.
HEAT SHIELD: No heat shield needed with portable designs. No enough heat is generated by low power vacuum tubes.
COLOR: tan tolex covering and brown plastic handle, grill and knobs.
YOUTUBE VIDEO here
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 10.5" x 2.5" x 9.5" (l x w x h)
WEIGHT: 4 lbs 3 oz
ADD BLUETOOTH: See pricing and info here
ADD Smart Speaker: See pricing and info here
ADD DIAL LIGHT: See pricing and info here
Webpage menu of upgrade services here
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