Satin Ivory Racetrack Bakelite 1951 Zenith Consol-Tone Model H511 Vacuum Tube Radio Looks and Sounds Great!
DESCRIPTION: Very iconic and recognizable design from Zenith! Imagine the public response to this model introduction at the dawn of the fifties! When you compare it to what else was being offered at the time, this model appearance must have seemed revolutionary! Vintage 1951 tabletop vacuum tube AM radio manufactured by Zenith in excellent working and physical condition.
CABINET CONDITION: No cracks, chips, or major scratches. Original factory painted ivory white over molded brown Bakelite. All original factory paint with minor paint dings throughout. Not repainted. No over spray no touch up. All original factory metal film pieces by the knobs are in excellent condition. Silver metal center bar is original, moderately tarnished and rusted, not or dented or dinged. Near mirror finish that you get with chrome.
SOUND QUALITY: This radio picks up AM stations real clearly and very loudly around the dial without need of external antenna attachment.
DIAL LIGHT: Dial light works and lights brightly behind Zenith crest. LED replacement bulb has long lifetime.
KNOBS: The original black knobs of this vintage tube radio are original and securely attached.
INTERNAL ELECTRONICS: The capacitors been replaced with modern equivalents so this radio has another 50+ years or more of playing time! 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 was in poor condition, but salvaged by adhering with thicker fiberboard backing. These Zenith backing boards are unusually flimsy in design. Many surviving examples have missing backing boards or backing boards that are in poor condition. This one has been resupported with another backing board and some prayers.
LABELS: Bottom factory labels is mostly intact and legible, someone has put clear tape over all the labels, we've done our best to preserve them.
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.
DIMENSIONS: Approximately 14" x 7" x 7" (l x w x h)
WEIGHT: 5 lbs 3 oz
COLOR: ivory white
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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