Thanks for the kudos, truckermix.

I'm now thinking that the chassis frontend could have been dressed prettier. But then too there aren't that many eyes looking at the back of the dash anyway -- Front dash appearance and functionality were my main concerns.

Yep, just wait long enough and most scarce things become collectable (read: pricey). Fortunately, so far that ain't the case with '60's basic non-pushbutton AM radios.
As you might have guessed that was a big decision maker.

Quite impressed with how good this unit works/sounds in the truck!