Ballet Pink 1952 Zenith Owl Eyes Model J616 AM Vacuum Tube Radio Great Sounding! Excellent Condition! Very Rare Color!
DESCRIPTION: The much sought after Owl Eyes among Zenith designs in a super rare original factory color! Tabletop tube AM radio manufactured by Zenith in 1952 in excellent working and physical condition. Never before seen, never knew existed color from factory. This model is more commonly available in brown, white, green, gray, coral, and black. Never seen one in this color pink.
SOUND QUALITY: Picks up AM stations clearly and loudly up and down the dial without need of external antenna attachment.
CABINET CONDITION: Beautiful factory original Bakelite radio painted pink at the factory. It is not a yellowed ivory or a faded coral. It is the same flesh-y beige-y pink all over, even under the bottom factory labels. Original molded Bakelite cabinet are no cracks, chips, no major scratches. Small fleabite paint dings throughout but no major paint chips, scratches, or abrasions. All original factory molded parts colors through and through. Not repainted not touched up not over sprayed. The front gold metal fascia tuning and clock surround trims are in fair good condition faded but not peeling. Most of the numbers are intact and readable. Some are rubbed off.
KNOBS: All knobs are original and securely attached clean. Volume and tuning knobs are not missing center gold metal inserts but are faded. Three little beige tan pink-ish clock function knobs are original, matching, excellent condition and securely attached. The tuning dial works fine no slipping no sticky spots. The tuning dial pointer is in excellent condition. Tuning dial attachment post is not cracked, functional, and securely attached.
CLOCK: Clock works and keep accurate time. Clock motor is silent no humming no buzzing no ticking noises. Clock and alarm set time works. Alarm works. Wake to radio and buzzer or wake to radio only. Both work. Sleep timer works. Clock painted face is not flaking, no rust, no stains, color matching.
DIAL LIGHT: Power indicator light works but it is tiny.
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! Both Intermediate Frequency Transformers (IFTs) have been rebuilt 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. The set has been aligned according to factory specifications. The antique radio has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected. All wiring has been thoroughly checked for possible bridging and weak solder connection.
POWER CABLE: Brand new replacement power cable and safety polarized plug is in excellent working condition no breaks no exposed wires no brittleness.
BACKING BOARD: The original backing board is still present which is incredible because it's only held on by 4 t-pins. The backing board attachment corners are in very good to excellent condition compared with other Zeniths we've seen. No missing bottom factory labels.
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. Was probably used in or near the kitchen for much of its life.
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 13" x 6" x 5.5" (l x w x h)
WEIGHT: 4 lbs 14 oz
COLOR: pink
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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