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#641380 04/28/2010 1:21 AM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 164
5
Shop Shark
Shop Shark
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Joined: Dec 2009
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Can you identify this Radio?

Can you identify this Radio? It is a Model 48 Canadian radio I bought on EBay that I was told would fit in my 53 Chevy AD truck. I had the radio rebuilt and bought all new knobs and a new Chevy station plate, but now I find out it actually is not an AD radio. Can you identify it so I can repost it on EBay TRUTHFULLY this time to see if anyone wants it? I will then buy another radio that is proper this time. I have exchanged a few emails with Bill that rebuilds them for Jim Carter and we have concluded it can't be converted in spite of the outside box looking the same as an AD radio. Once I made the mistake I tried to fix it by buying parts to convert it but to no avail. Actually the new buttons fit, the new knobs fit, the new station plate fits, but the maroon radio face housing that fits in the dash doesn’t line up or fit. If anyone has just the skeleton of an old AD radio maybe I can take the guts out of this one and put them into a box that fits the dash since they basically look the same but the mounting is different. I have posted some pictures on Flicker. Use the "Can you identify this radio link" and you should be able to see it if I have uploaded them correctly. I have done a Google search and can’t find any info on the original application of this radio. Thanks for any help John

Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,115
'Bolter
'Bolter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,115
I guess what you are calling an AD radio is the US made model for the 1947 to 1953 GM truck. Your Model 48 is a Canadian radio made for the Chevrolet passenger car 1942-6-7-8, Pontiac 1946-7-8, Oldsmobile 1946-7 and 48, 1947-8 Chevrolet truck, Maple leaf truck and GMC truck. It has adjustable controls that move for both spacing and angle. It uses a different dial glass when mounted upside down in some of the cars. The radio has a dual audio output design and gives twice the output power of the US AD radio. It will also fit all 1947 to 1953 GMC and Chev trucks.

I have the manual with all the various mounting details if you need information.


1951 GMC 1 Ton Flatbed -- It is finally on the road and what a great time I have driving it!
1951 1 Ton Completed


My Chevy Master 4 Door is on the Road!
Joined: Dec 2009
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Shop Shark
Shop Shark
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Yes please sir, PM sent

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,388
M
Shop Shark
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John, thats a smart looking truck you have there.

I would imagine that the trouble you are having, is that the space between knobs on the radio, is different than your dash right? I can't remember which is bigger right now. I have a GM 510 radio in my truck. What I did, was file the knob openings in the dash of the truck, to make it fit. The big chrome bezel fits on the outside, and covers this up. I have a GM radio just like the one you have there, for my Pontiac, just have to mount it, I've had it done for nearly a year! Boy, am I behind on projects! The big chrome surrounds I have for my two radios, do not have those sweet lines on them. I like yours!!

Now, I could have moved the knobs on the radio, as Truckernix says, but then the big outside bezel wouldn't fit. That's why I filed the dash. All the fitments are in the thing Fred will send you.

The GM 48 uses a double point vibrator, instead of a rectifier tube right? Did your original vibrator work yet? I found a NOS one I think will work for mine, didn't get it back on the bench before I started building my garagemahal, once thats done hopefully I can get caught back up on fun stuff!!

The two tube output is great. I wired the speaker in the dash, and a 12" in a big box behind the truck seat. The big speaker is full range, and came out of a defunct console radio, from the 50's. Man, what big sound when Perry Como sings in my truck! When its big band Jump time, it really is!





Christopher
1950 1-Ton
"Rochester"
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Joined: Mar 2002
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'Bolter
'Bolter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,115
I just had another look at the photos. That is a good looking truck! The radio is in really nice condition as there is no rust and look at the layout sticker inside!

John, I think that you mentioned that you had it rebuilt. You might want to see if they have another vibrator that you can get as a spare. The vibrator design is a bit unusual.


1951 GMC 1 Ton Flatbed -- It is finally on the road and what a great time I have driving it!
1951 1 Ton Completed


My Chevy Master 4 Door is on the Road!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,115
'Bolter
'Bolter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,115
A number of years ago, we had a member that went by the name of "Fatfenders" or something similar. I believe he might have been located in BC. He posted some photos at the time of a bezel that he made from the radio delete panel, for his Canadian radio. As I mentioned in my Email, the original bezel looks very similar to the delete plate.


1951 GMC 1 Ton Flatbed -- It is finally on the road and what a great time I have driving it!
1951 1 Ton Completed


My Chevy Master 4 Door is on the Road!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,321
H
'Bolter
'Bolter
H Offline
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,321
53John,
I like your color combination!
In your post you said "I have exchanged a few emails with Bill that rebuilds them for Jim Carter".
Will you send me Bill's email address? I need to ask a question about my 46 Radio.
Thanks for your help.
Harold
[email protected]


Harold
Is a restoration ever finished?

Moderated by  truckernix 

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