radio tuning face

[jlerviti]

I've come across a bit of a mystery, at least to me. I sent my radio out to be repaired and the repairman suggested that I replace the "hand written" tuning face with one that was printed. The catch is that I have two such hand written faces from two very different cars with the exception that they both have the same style number (2569D). Does any one know of a difference in the production of these tuning faces? Were there different faces for different styles?

[Larry]

You don't mention the year of these radios, but assume early.

Are you actually meaning that someone hand wrote the numbers and lines on the dial face?

While I have not seen this before, I wonder if in the early years, especially in rural locations, when radio reception was iffy at best, people didn't dial in stations and then mark the spot on the dial face. Guess you'd have to remove the glass while doing it and then put it back in.

It is possible a damaged face was redrawn, but I can't imagine you getting two such items.

Let us know what you learn about these pieces.

[jlerviti]

I'm including a picture of the dial face for my 1951 Pontiac Chieftain Deluxe, a 4 door sedan (style #2569D). If any one could provide some insight as to why there was a difference in this type of dial face versus the typical printed style I would be most interested to know.

[Larry]

That is just plain wild. I have never seen anything like that. Whoever did it took the time to add the "Chieftain" and even artistic graphic squiggly lines too.

Go to "Members" and click on "Technical Advisors." Drop a note to John Harvey as he is the expert on that era of Pontiacs.

Please let us know if you solve this mystery.

[50scars]

I do not know if there was only 1 supplier of the dial faces for the radios, but since these cars were made over a relatively long period of time, in many different areas of the country, with many different suppliers, that changed on some simple items as often as monthly, strictly due to price, and more than just a few were assembled overseas, it is entirely possible that there were a batch of dial faces made with italicized letters. I mean, you should see some of the things that were done on the midnight shift when I worked at PMD.