Motorola Mod 53C Antique Bakelite Tube Radio 1939 Deco Set Serviced WorkingWell For Sale

MODEL, YEAR, FEATURES:  Designers of this 1939 Motorola Model 53C were likely inspired by the auto industry, and the grill of a ’34 Lincoln comes to mind (see last photo).  Standing just 6 inches tall, this one won’t take up a lot of shelf room, yet it displays beautifully with its graduated louvers, Deco shape and bullet knobs.  Dial scale is brightly lighted with a pilot light as seen in one photo below, and controls are simple Volume and Tuning.  The loop antenna of this radio is different than the typical set, housed in a special enclosure that protrudes from the back of the cabinet.  Not only was the cabinet given TLC on this set, but the electronics were gone through as well;  radio plays the AM band faithfully now with good tone.   Photos will represent it well;  one shot taken outside occurred just as it began to rain, and you might see some tiny droplets on the cabinet.               

CONDITION, SERVICING, PERFORMANCE:  Like many cars, some radios end up needing occasional “body and fender work”.  The original white paint on the cabinet was looking dreary after 76 years, and was carefully removed.  A cracked louver was then repaired, and cabinet was carefully primered and prepped to be painted.  Rather than go with the original white, I chose a more dramatic gloss black, accenting the highlights with gold after a precise masking.  After a 6 month cure, the finish was rubbed to a beautiful gloss you see in photos without chips, runs, or other flaws.  The dial scale has perfect graphics and numerals well lit by the pilot light, dial pointer rotates around the scale without slipping or binding, and dial cover is clear.  Electronics were carefully gone through with old wax / foil capacitors replaced along with the electrolytic filters.  In the process, resistors and wiring were checked, tuning mechanism was cleaned and lubed.  Loop antenna is in excellent shape along with its housing that attaches firmly to the cabinet.   I was able to pick up most of our local stations after an alignment, and reception is clear without hum or distortion from the speaker.  Original knobs and fasteners are present, and model number tag is still attached to the back.  Power cord was replaced with a safe pliable one that looks right for the period.  Preserve a classic 76 year old pre war Motorola, part of our Made in USA legacy that was made to last. 

DIMENSIONS, SHIPPING:   Chassis and cabinet are clean and free of odors.  Dimensions are a compact 9 Inches wide, 6 in. tall, and 6.5 in. deep from front of knobs to back of antenna housing.  The old 6.5 Oz Coke bottle was placed in photos to give a sense of scale and to show reflective surfaces.  I’ve shipped over a thousand delicate tube radios all over the world for the past 16 years on with fine packing materials and methods, so no worries.