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Over the winter I found a radio that the owner said was from a 1948-50 Ford truck. I took a chance and grabbed it. Finally I had the time to look it over, yeah, it’s rough. That doesn’t scare me, I’ve rebuilt far worse, but I can’t locate any identifying marks on i, other than a yellowed sticker that says “Bendix radio”. If I’m going to rebuild it, I need to identify it and locate a schematic, otherwise I’m flying blind.
I really love the look of this radio. Domino silver mica and tubular electrolytic caps, carbon comp resistors, metal jacketed tubes (one missing) and all point to point wiring. It’s been serviced before as I can see fresh(er) solder joints and at least one replacement cap.
It doesn't look like the 8C-18805-B Zenith 8 tube radio I'd expect... That one has a square tuning window where as yours is rounded. Additionally, the ivory buttons make me think passenger... 8A-18805-A... Now which one exactly...
FYI, there were adapter kits to put passenger radios into the trucks. 8C-18819-A for 46/48 passenger radios and 8C-18819-B for 49 radios.
As to your specific radio, the Detrola 8072 is the place to start looking. When Detrola couldn't keep up, I believe Motorola and Colonial built the same/similar under 9CF, 9DF, and 9MF.
But then there is the Bendix name tags... so Bendix 9BF M-1 6 tube radio is a possibility...
I don't think it is any of the later radios in part due to the 3 mounting holes on the top. Additionally, the circuit layout doesn't match the 0A-18805-A2 and 0A-18805-B, the adjustments don't match the 1A-18805-A...
Additionally, there were some radios offered across 48/52 trucks according to the parts catalogs. There was no hard and fast break between 50 and 51.
The '48 to '50 definitely had their own radio. It as basically the same radio used in the '48 Mercury car but with a painted bezel and different color *****. They also had different side mounting brackets.
Bob, that looks like the "Deluxe" Car Radio from the late 40's. The "Custom" Car Radio from that time 49-50, same design layout, but had more tubes and a special tone control viewing window. That radio became the Factory Accessory Truck Radio for 51 and 52. A lot of people use the technically incorrect "Deluxe" Car Radio as well for the 51-52 trucks as they are so similar looking.
But Bob for the 48-50 like you have, are you going to mount your radio in the top dash location? These radios might not look as good mounted up high on the dash as the originals do. Like someone said theres an alternative for mounting them lower in the dash. But the factory correct accessory 48-50 truck radios are pretty rare , hard to find and expensive. Probably one of the best looking art deco radio designs Ive seen for any car or truck of the entire era.
How are you going to restore it? As just a AM Radio or are you going to convert it to Digital?
49-50 Car Accessory 1949-50 Car Accessory 1952 Truck Accessory Factory Correct. Custom Car Radio from 49-50 This Radio is sublime
The '48 to '50 definitely had their own radio. It as basically the same radio used in the '48 Mercury car but with a painted bezel and different color *****. They also had different side mounting brackets.
Parts catalogs show the following, including adapter kits:
I have an identical radio in my '52 F1. It was dead when I got it. I took the insides out and put in a more modern AM/FM radio I picked up at a swap meet for $5.00. I 3D printed connecting parts and connected the ***** with timing belts and pulleys so that the preset buttons and the ***** all work as they should except one button switches the AM and FM. It looks perfectly stock but works great and has 4 speaker stereo.
That's IT. So it's a car radio, 6 tube. With that schematic I should be able to get her working. Now fitting it into a truck might be another story.
Thx!!
Funny, I deal with AES all the time, never thought of looking there for radio schematics.
On closer examination, that’s very similar, but there are too m y differences to call it the correct schematic. As I checked the radio, there are many components of a different value, a few missing, and a few added. The only conclusion I can come up with is that it’s a different version of the radio.
On closer examination, that’s very similar, but there are too m y differences to call it the correct schematic. As I checked the radio, there are many components of a different value, a few missing, and a few added. The only conclusion I can come up with is that it’s a different version of the radio.
Yes, it is not the exact 0BF model, but the one from the year earlier. As stated above, it is the closest reasonable schematic I could find for the 6 tube 0BF Bendix.
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