Radio Fever

Contributed by Joseph Jackson

Web Edition

Joseph Jackson has a very serious case of radio fever. A healthy person might balk at buying a console at a flea market after realizing that he was driving a sports car. Not Joe Jackson! (Editor)

On a last-minute whim, I decided to run up to Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta on a recent Saturday. Good radio pickin's there are getting slim, but I occasionally find a nice Bakelite tabletop radio reasonably priced, and even an occasional Catalin set, unreasonably priced.

Not expecting too much, I hopped into my Miata, drove the 90 miles, and arrived by 9:30 a.m. Not more than 10 minutes later, I spotted a decent Zenith 12-S-265, 12-tube set with a shutter dial and motorized tuning,for under $200. I haggled a bit with the dealer, but, realizing I didn't have my truck, I moved on and went through the rest of the buildings.

As I was about to leave, I stopped by one more time and explained my dilemma to the dealer. He joked, "There's no extra charge if you want to try shoehorning it in." I made a few measurements and decided to go for it. It did fit, just barely, but only with the top down.

I must admit I got some strange stares as I drove I-75 back home with a Zenith console as my passenger.

A problem?

No problem!