Wenge Brown Iconic Tri-Star 1955 Arvin Model 855T Vacuum Tube AM Radio A Collector's Dream!
DESCRIPTION: Tabletop tube AM radio manufactured by Arvin in 1955 in excellent working and physical condition. This is one of Arvin's more desirable designs. Iconic with instantly recognizable with memorable Mercedes Benz-like star! There is no affiliation between Arvin and Mercedes Benz. The similarity is coincidental. History tends to reward risk taking and this radio design is an example of that. One if the few radios that actually looks best in dark color. Like a S550 sedan.
SOUND QUALITY: Picks up AM stations clearly and loudly up and down the dial.
CABINET CONDITION: This radio is original factory molded brown Bakelite. It is not repainted no touch up no overspray. Little diamond shape front protrusion is a actually a working tuning light! Beat that people. No cracks or chips on the cabinet. This is a factory original brown molded Bakelite cabinet. Not repainted no over spray and no touch ups. None needed. This radio is over 65 years old! All the dial numbers are crisp and clear no flaking. No missing ink, smudges, or rub-off on dial lettering.
KNOBS: Factory original matching brown Bakelite knobs. The tuning knob is a replacement and works fine and smooth no slipping. The tuning pointer is made of a hefty piece of solid steel painted gold. Volume On Off switch works fine. The tuning dial works fine. No slipping. Dual dial light lights up.
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. Both Intermediate Frequency Transformers (IFTs) have been rebuilt to ensure 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. 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. Comes from non-smoking, mature, clean professional environment.
FACTORY LABELS: Bottom factory label is about 50% intact condition.
BACKING BOARD: Factory original backing board is intact.
POWER CORD: The original power cord and plug is in excellent working condition with no cracks, or splits. No exposed wiring.
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 12" x 5.5" x 6" (l x w x h)
WEIGHT: Approximately 4 lbs.
COLOR: Brown
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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