Hello, I’m doing a shop clean up this summer and came across this on the shelf. I haven’t had an older Chevy in quite a few years, and don’t even remember where I picked this up or what for.
Can anyone identify year, make or models it would work in. I’m sure someone out there would like to have it for a resto, or gut it. Looks like a plain jane AM radio.
Are there vacuum tubes inside the radio? GM had some hybrid radios in the late 50s & early 60s that were tube type, except for the output stage which used Delco either DS-501 or DS-503 germanium transistors. Most used 10 ohm speakers and were VERY sensitive to speaker impedance. Easy to let the smoke out.
I think the very early GM all-transistor radios also used the same germanium transistors.
If I was going to guess, I'd say Corvair bezel on the front.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
I would have to agree with Bill on the "Corvair" identity. A little research through 1960-69 original Chevrolet ads and dealer info pamphlets showed your pictured manually tuned AM radio as being offered as an optional accessory for all Corvair (passenger car) and Corvair 95 (what Chevy called "Trucks" at the time) from 1960-65. A couple of sample screenshots are below. In 1966 they offered newer/redesigned radios and this style went away. Somewhere on the metal case is probably a part number and possibly a date manufactured stamped to pinpoint what you have.
Last edited by Gdads51; 06/17/20243:16 PM. Reason: fix year
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Thank you guys. Best I could figure yesterday was Corvair as well. No stampings or marks anywhere I could see. I don’t want to open it up either.
At least I can pass around I have one that is probably out of a corvair.
If anyone is doing a restoration on an corvair and looking for an original radio, let me know. Not looking to make off it, be nice to see it back in its original position.
If you're looking to sell it, maybe post it on a Corvair related forum, or at least a Chevy car forum, like the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America.
We're all about GM trucks here on Stovebolt. Glad the guys could help you out ID'ing that radio.
Last edited by Peggy M; 06/20/20243:41 PM. Reason: add VCCA
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
