Aquamarine Turquoise 1957 Motorola Model 56CD4 Vacuum Tube AM Clock Radio Rare Model and Color Sounds Fantastic!
DESCRIPTION: Tabletop vacuum tube AM clock alarm radio manufactured by Motorola in 1957 time frame in excellent physical and working condition in original aquamarine turquoise color.
SOUND QUALITY: Picks up AM stations clearly and loudly around the dial without need of external antenna attachment.
CABINET CONDITION: Cabinet is original factory molded aquamarine turquoise urea plastic a hard high quality plastic that predates modern polycarbonate plastics. there is a heat crack on top left back corner area. Very common to find this heat crack on this model. Heat shield has been installed internally underside to reduce the possibility of further heat cracking. No chips no major scratches. Clear plastic clock cover has hairline crack. No eyelash cracks by clock function knobs which is common. Front gold tuning fascia is in excellent condition, slightly tarnished, no numbers rubbed off. Sometimes these tuning fascia can get pretty tarnished looking and/or numbers rubbed off.
KNOBS: Original matching volume and tuning tuning knobs are in excellent condition greened with age. Tuning clear knob skirt is in excellent clear translucent. Usually these clear skirts from Motorola for this model series develop a white waxy residue due to unstable chemical formulation at the factory. This one seems to have benefited from a stable chemical formulation that doesn't result in the white waxy buildup..
LOGO: No missing logos. Front M logo is original black in excellent condition.
DIAL LIGHT: No dial light not designed with one. But one can be added for an extra charge.
CLOCK: Clock works and keeps accurate time. Clock motor is silent no humming no buzzing no ticking noises. Alarm and clock set function works and goes off at the correct set times. Wake to radio or radio and buzzer. Sleep timer works. Front gold clock face back panel has no dents or dings, not warped, no water stains. Clock arms are original black, not tarnished or rusted, securely attached.
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.
POWER CORD: The original power cord and plug are in excellent working condition. No breaks, no splits, no repair with electrical tape, or other. No exposed wiring.
BACKING BOARD: Original factory backing board is intact no broken attachment corners.
FACTORY LABELS AND STICKERS: No missing factory labels. Bottom inspections sticker is intact.
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 13" x 6" x 6" (l x w x h)
WEIGHT: Approx 5 lbs 3 oz
COLOR: Aquamarine turquoise
YOUTUBE VIDEO here
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.