FOR SALE ON EBAY
This 1940 model year 8S463 is one of Zenith’s most famous and collectible console radios. It sports the fabulous ‘Black Dial’ and green tuning eye. Standing about three and half feet tall, it will provide a focal point for any room. The three-band (AM Standard Broadcast, Shortwave, and Medium Wave) radio with its eight tubes and original 10-inch speaker produces great treble, mid-range, and exceptional bass response. This Art Deco style radio will look good in any room.
We kept this radio as original as possible. You will not find another in as good condition. This radio was in my personal collection for over a year.
Cabinet – Extra care and expense was taken to preserve the cabinet with its original wood veneers, photo finishes. The photo-finish decals are notoriously chip-prone and difficult to restore. On many of these units you will find the faux-finished areas are just too far gone to bother with. Ours was not. That said, we did not strip this unit - rather we did a total restoration using proper toners and fillers. The entire cabinet was then finished with a catalyst sealer. The result is a piano-like matte finish showing the original colors that will last many, many years into the future. We also added a period-correct Zenith reproduction grille cloth and retained the original push button controls. The center tuning and volume knobs are modern reproductions of the original Zenith knobs and will last for years.
Dial – The large black dial displaying all the station frequencies is quite an impressive sight - especially in a dim or dark room. The dial displays the broadcast scale and numerous foreign countries for reference. All letters and number are legible and show virtually no signs of wear. The large airplane dial pointer is in exceptional shape. The dial is illuminated by two dial lamps creating a warm orange glow. The dial glass is clear and free from any chips, breaks are cracks. The surrounding brass escutcheon has a soft patina adding an elegant antique touch.
Chassis - We went through the chassis replacing all the capacitors, checking, and replacing resistors and tubes where needed. We aligned the radio, and it plays well across the dial and all bands. A brand-new Magic Eye green tube was installed to enhance its playing appearance. The dial belt is also brand new, and we aligned the flywheel to provide exceptionally smooth tuning operation. A new power cord, power resistor and solid-state rectifier was installed for safety and longevity.
Antenna - This model comes with Zenith’s famous ‘Wave Magnet’ antenna which brings in distant stations even when the radio is placed on an inside wall. The antenna swivels in place so you can obtain the best reception. Like most old tube radios shortwave reception is best done at night using a long wire.
Bluetooth - Additionally, this radio has been fitted with our custom Bluetooth / MP3 adapter which allows you to switch between the radio or your smartphone or music device. Access your streaming audio service or the playlist on your smart device to provide classic tunes and bring the warm, bright, analogue sound to any music or recording you choose. The quality of the sound is excellent. You will have the best of “digital” and “analogue” combined.
Year of Manufacture: 1939
Frequency Range(s): 550-1600KC, 1.6-5.0MC, 6-18MC
Dimensions (WHD): 28.1 x 41 x 15.4 inches
Weight: Approximately 60 pounds
This 1940 model year 8S463 is one of Zenith’s most famous and collectible console radios. It sports the fabulous ‘Black Dial’ and green tuning eye. Standing about three and half feet tall, it will provide a focal point for any room. The three-band (AM Standard Broadcast, Shortwave, and Medium Wave) radio with its eight tubes and original 10-inch speaker produces great treble, mid-range, and exceptional bass response. This Art Deco style radio will look good in any room.
We kept this radio as original as possible. You will not find another in as good condition. This radio was in my personal collection for over a year.
Cabinet – Extra care and expense was taken to preserve the cabinet with its original wood veneers, photo finishes. The photo-finish decals are notoriously chip-prone and difficult to restore. On many of these units you will find the faux-finished areas are just too far gone to bother with. Ours was not. That said, we did not strip this unit - rather we did a total restoration using proper toners and fillers. The entire cabinet was then finished with a catalyst sealer. The result is a piano-like matte finish showing the original colors that will last many, many years into the future. We also added a period-correct Zenith reproduction grille cloth and retained the original push button controls. The center tuning and volume knobs are modern reproductions of the original Zenith knobs and will last for years.
Dial – The large black dial displaying all the station frequencies is quite an impressive sight - especially in a dim or dark room. The dial displays the broadcast scale and numerous foreign countries for reference. All letters and number are legible and show virtually no signs of wear. The large airplane dial pointer is in exceptional shape. The dial is illuminated by two dial lamps creating a warm orange glow. The dial glass is clear and free from any chips, breaks are cracks. The surrounding brass escutcheon has a soft patina adding an elegant antique touch.
Chassis - We went through the chassis replacing all the capacitors, checking, and replacing resistors and tubes where needed. We aligned the radio, and it plays well across the dial and all bands. A brand-new Magic Eye green tube was installed to enhance its playing appearance. The dial belt is also brand new, and we aligned the flywheel to provide exceptionally smooth tuning operation. A new power cord, power resistor and solid-state rectifier was installed for safety and longevity.
Antenna - This model comes with Zenith’s famous ‘Wave Magnet’ antenna which brings in distant stations even when the radio is placed on an inside wall. The antenna swivels in place so you can obtain the best reception. Like most old tube radios shortwave reception is best done at night using a long wire.
Bluetooth - Additionally, this radio has been fitted with our custom Bluetooth / MP3 adapter which allows you to switch between the radio or your smartphone or music device. Access your streaming audio service or the playlist on your smart device to provide classic tunes and bring the warm, bright, analogue sound to any music or recording you choose. The quality of the sound is excellent. You will have the best of “digital” and “analogue” combined.
Year of Manufacture: 1939
Frequency Range(s): 550-1600KC, 1.6-5.0MC, 6-18MC
Dimensions (WHD): 28.1 x 41 x 15.4 inches
Weight: Approximately 60 pounds