Zenith Tube Radio

FANTASTIC! 1951 ZENITH Racetrack Art Deco Bakelite Tube Radio ORIGINAL GEM

FANTASTIC! 1951 ZENITH Racetrack Art Deco Bakelite Tube Radio ORIGINAL GEM
FANTASTIC! 1951 ZENITH Racetrack Art Deco Bakelite Tube Radio ORIGINAL GEM
FANTASTIC! 1951 ZENITH Racetrack Art Deco Bakelite Tube Radio ORIGINAL GEM
FANTASTIC! 1951 ZENITH Racetrack Art Deco Bakelite Tube Radio ORIGINAL GEM
FANTASTIC! 1951 ZENITH Racetrack Art Deco Bakelite Tube Radio ORIGINAL GEM
FANTASTIC! 1951 ZENITH Racetrack Art Deco Bakelite Tube Radio ORIGINAL GEM
FANTASTIC! 1951 ZENITH Racetrack Art Deco Bakelite Tube Radio ORIGINAL GEM
FANTASTIC! 1951 ZENITH Racetrack Art Deco Bakelite Tube Radio ORIGINAL GEM
FANTASTIC! 1951 ZENITH Racetrack Art Deco Bakelite Tube Radio ORIGINAL GEM
FANTASTIC! 1951 ZENITH Racetrack Art Deco Bakelite Tube Radio ORIGINAL GEM
FANTASTIC! 1951 ZENITH Racetrack Art Deco Bakelite Tube Radio ORIGINAL GEM

FANTASTIC! 1951 ZENITH Racetrack Art Deco Bakelite Tube Radio ORIGINAL GEM
The Radio-Cafe is always offering unique tube radios for Top Shelf display, so be sure to add me to your favorites list! 1951 ZENITH BAKELITE TUBE RADIO - MODEL H511. For your consideration is another Gem offered to you from the Radio-Cafe. This gorgeous 1951 Zenith bakelite tube radio, Model H511 , has been fully restored inside & out to excellent playing condition just waiting for a new owner. This Zenith streamline "racetrack" set displays wonderfully and has remained a favorite among radio collectors. The dark brown bakelite cabinet is in gorgeous condition with no chips or cracks. Out of all the racetrack sets I've restored in the last 20 years, this one was in the worst cosmetic condition I have ever seen.

I spent an entire afternoon just cleaning all the brass pieces because the tarnish and grime was so thick. The cabinet had lots of white paint spatter, thick dirt, and quite a few scratches that all to be dealt with (see before & after pics). Fortunately under all the filth there was a gem just waiting to shine through. The original loop backing had most of its tabs broken off that attach it to the cabinet (common with this set), so I fabricated a really nice backing to attach the original loop backing. I also installed an antenna screw to the left with a "A" stamped below it, for connecting a wire antenna in case there is poor reception so a external wire can be connected.

I also redid all the gold painted station numbers and consol-tone name on the front of the cabinet. The dark brown bakelite cabinet has been professionally polished with my ALL natural process using NO car polish wet look tricks, caked on gunk, sprays, poly coats, saturation tactics to make the bakelite appear darker, or any other artificial enhancers. My photos represent the accurate bakelite color in different lighting with NO software touch ups! It takes many hours through several stages to complete this natural process but when it's all said and done what you get is a pure natural bakelite shine. I go the extra mile and make sure every square inch is cleaned using special hand-made pic tools, toothbrushes, and Q-tips(no black sharpie marker tricks used here folks). I've been doing natural bakelite polishing the same way for over 30 years now and do not cut corners or take short cuts with my cleaning & polishing method.. Nothing but lots of time and plenty of elbow grease. If you're a more of a purist collector of antiques then we have something in common. No crazy paint jobs, cosmetic enhancers, or car salesman gimmicks... Just original antique restoration for the TRUE collector! This beautiful Zenith radio is ready to be displayed and played! VACUUM TUBES REPLACED AS NEEDED. GREAT RECEPTION AND SOUND QUALITY.

ALL CAPACITORS REPLACED WITH TOP GRADE PANASONIC, SPRAGUE, & NICHICON CAPS. CHASSIS AND ALL MOVING PARTS CLEANED & LUBRICATED.

NEW DIAL BULB "Z" Crest looks great lit up! AUDIO TESTED FOR A MINIMUM 48 HRS. RADIO MEASURES APPROX: 13.5" WIDE X 7"TALL X 7 DEEP. Absolutely stunning radio, museum quality restoration. Beautiful doesn't do your craftsmanship justice, exquisite is better. Wonderful & expertly restored radio. I thought craftsmen like this were extinct. This guy has proven me wrong! Kudos for the job you did in restoring this Emerson set and the care in packing. Bendix arrived safe and sound due to your EXPERT PACKING the radio is MINTY.

Your are a CLASS ACT!!! Thanks Again & Best Regards, Stuart.

The best wrapped radio I have ever received. Keep in mind, this antique vacuum tube radio is not a boom box, solid state radio, or any other modern type radio. It uses vacuum tube technology which can produce audio interference caused by many different things such as florescent lighting, energy saving bulbs, kitchen appliances, etc, etc... So placement of the radio is very important to avoid any possible audio interference. And like many other electronic devices.. When not in use the radio should be unplugged to prevent any damage during electrical storms. Many of my restored radios are displayed in museums, on international radio websites, and published in popular radio books. Unlike many who perform the quick and lesser quality restorations just in order to sell more... I spent 20 years as a Machine Specialist in the Aerospace & Injection Molding fields. Having this type of background has given me the experience & high standards that I try to maintain in my radio restoration work as well. My experience includes: custom wood refinishing , all natural bakelite polishing , electronic restoration , and radio dial cover molding. With my radio descriptions you get a factual description and I prefer to stay away from the sugar coated phrases such as... "Stunner", "near mint", "normal age related wear", "museum quality", "doesn't get any better", "completely flawless", best of the best"unmolested", "mint", or all the bla bla the reader has to weed through before even getting to the actual item description. My item descriptions always starts right at the top and with the important restoration details listed below it. The Radio-Cafe provides the customer with the Best Possible Service available which includes. 3- SAFE DOUBLE BOX PACKING WITH SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION INCLUDED! (no charge to the customer).

4- QUALITY DETAILED PHOTOS OF THE COMPLETE RESTORATION (some sellers are reluctant to show photos of the electronics work). 5- ALL NATURAL BAKELITE POLISHING! (no enhancers or cheesy black sharpie touch ups used). 6- EXTENSIVE PHOTO GALLERY OF OVER 1000 DIFFERENT RADIO MODELS OF MY WORK, SAVED ON FILE SINCE THE 1990's!

A special thanks to all of my customers and fellow radio restorers who I've had the pleasure of doing business with throughout the last 25 years and to all of our service men & women who I proudly support in helping to keep this great country free! It gives me great satisfaction to be able to bring these wonderful antique tube radios back to life for future generations to enjoy! Thanks for looking and may God Bless our Troops serving around the world!

Check out my other items. 1951 ZENITH Racetrack Art Deco Bakelite Tube Radio ORIGINAL GEM" is in sale since Friday, September 18, 2015. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Radio, Phonograph, TV, Phone\Radios\Tube Radios\1930-49". The seller is "radio-cafe" and is located in Saint Helen, Michigan. This item can be shipped worldwide.
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States

FANTASTIC! 1951 ZENITH Racetrack Art Deco Bakelite Tube Radio ORIGINAL GEM