TRANSISTOR RADIO DESIGN
Focusing on the design of pocket transistor radios manufactured during the 1950's & 1960's!
ABC TN-603
This impressive ABC TN-603 was manufactured in Japan circa 1959. I’m unsure who the manufacturer is, if you know then please let me know! It is smaller than a standard shirt pocket size radio at only 3.7”H (95mm H). It tapers slightly from top to bottom and feels weighty and well made.
This TN-603 is more commonly seen under the brand name ‘Daylight’ with the same model number. I have also seen this radio branded as 'Valiant' and ‘New Apollo’. It shares the same cabinet as the Harpers P65 and the Crest VI with cosmetic variations. Ref; Bob Davidson's M31 Galaxy of Transistor Radios.
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This ABC TN-603 features a luscious, ultra thick reverse painted tuning dial colored jet black and rich natural gold. WOW! The tuning dial appears to have been inspired by the speedometer of some classic sports car of the 1950’s! Apart from having a very thick reverse painted section this radio is also unusual in that it has a layer of clear plastic beneath the speaker grill that also runs across the bottom and sides connecting the back and front halves. So much beautiful plastic!! Mmmmmm plastic…..
Nice little atomic age badge too.
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I can picture this handsome radio pausing under a street lamp at night, ghostly fog swirling about him in a strange dance. He’s wearing a Dick Tracy Fedora, black leather trench coat, thick gold cuff links and Crockett and Jones loafers. He closes his eyes and inhales deeply, he can smell her exotic perfume mingled with the scent of the metropolis…. He pulls his collar tightly around his neck to ward off the midnight chill and waits for her to appear before him, a blushing red Toshiba Lace. He tips his hat and melts her with his smile before disappearing into the mist. An enigma…. a stud!
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