NIB Cossor 552 restore or not? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

slidertogrid · 1st Nov 2025, 10:32 pm

I have a small collection of Attaché or Jewel box portable radios, so when I saw this one for sale recently I had to have it. It's not often a new in box 1957 radio becomes available.
The set is I am sure unused it is in almost mint condition, the knob trims have become unglued but other than that it is pretty much as new. The wax capacitors aren't sticky they are solid and shiny. There are no signs that the plugs have ever been inserted into batteries.
So here is my dilemma, do I keep it as it is untested. Test it and if it works or not leave it as that. Or test it and repair it as necessary which may mean losing the original capacitors. I know the set isn't valuable or a museum piece so do I let it finally sing or leave it as it is, mute new in box?

music-centre · 1st Nov 2025, 10:39 pm

As it’s completely original I think I would leave it untested, just re glue the trims and keep it as a display item with the original box.

Cobaltblue · 1st Nov 2025, 10:48 pm

Just a personal opinion.

Nothing much to listen to on MW/LW and this is not the most impressive of performers and I say that as a Cossor fan.

Leave as is as an example of a new in box set complete with all the dodgy parts of its era.

I also have a new in box 552 and and a couple of used set I restored some time ago the 552 isn't exactly common compared to Ever ready and Vidor sets but even less common is the 551 which I now have 3 examples of but all with issues.

At the end of the day its your set

No one can tell you what to do.

Cheers

Mike T

fetteler · 1st Nov 2025, 11:18 pm

I agree with music-centre, as it is so rare to find one is new unused condition and even with its box then it is a superb display item and can be treasured for that reason alone.

Out of curiosity I've just consulted the Bank of England inflation calculator which tells us that 13 1/2 Guineas in 1957 equates to a whopping £298.31 in today's money.

Just goes to show how relatively inexpensive technology is these days.

Steve.

CambridgeWorks · 2nd Nov 2025, 6:53 am

Around 2000 I bought two WW2 RBZ portables in original boxes with all documents and accessories.
One I sold to a collector and still have the other at the back of a shelf in my upstairs workshop.
Back then I applied correct voltages and it worked perfectly.
It was repacked and left where it is today.
No doubt my daughter will inherit it.
If it hadn't worked I might have fixed it with modern parts!
Rob

kalee20 · 2nd Nov 2025, 2:43 pm

I'd say if you want a working 552, find another, probably with some patina of age and use, and restore that.

This, factory-fresh, out-of-the-box, unsullied, virgin attaché case jobbie is a mini time-capsule... one visit from a soldering iron is all it takes to destroy that for ever. The resistors may have drifted a bit, and the capacitors may leak a bit, but you can see what they were, and how they were fitted.

Paul_RK · 2nd Nov 2025, 3:02 pm

I would probably indulge my curiosity, provide power and see if it works, then leave it alone whether it does or not: which is what I did with the three unused or scarcely used early transistor portables that have come my way still boxed and looking new (Ever Ready Sky Leader, Roberts R500 and Bush TR130). How they responded I can't remember...

JoshWard · 2nd Nov 2025, 10:09 pm

Curiosity would certainly get the better of me and I'd be reaching for the battery eliminator! Interesting to hear that Mike has one too. Given the outlay when new I wonder how it survived unused. Never sold? Returned under warranty?

slidertogrid · 2nd Nov 2025, 10:45 pm

I have been thinking the same and considering as Steve says it wasn't cheap when new, it seems lot of money to 'waste' on something not used. It didn't come from a trade contact, it was at a local house clearance place so I guess it was found when clearing a property...
Talking to a friend today we discussed what the story could be, he suggested that it came from towards the end of valve portables just as Transistor radios were about to appear. Maybe a present that was not wanted? I know the Batteries for these valve sets were fairly expensive and a lot of sets fell into disuse fairly early on in life. I remember them being at jumble sales for next to nothing. I don't suppose we will ever know for sure...

music-centre · 2nd Nov 2025, 11:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshWard

Curiosity would certainly get the better of me and I'd be reaching for the battery eliminator! Interesting to hear that Mike has one too. Given the outlay when new I wonder how it survived unused. Never sold? Returned under warranty?

Ah, but if you tried it and it was not working properly for some reason, would you be able to resist fixing it…

MostlyHarmless · 9th Nov 2025, 10:19 pm

No, leave it alone , its basically Museum quality and that's where it should really be!

View Poll Results: Restore test or leave as is?
Leave as it is	14	46.67%
Test it and leave as found working or not	15	50.00%
Do any repairs necessary to get it working	1	3.33%
Voters: 30. You may not vote on this poll

1st Nov 2025, 10:32 pm	#1
slidertogrid Nonode Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 2,268	NIB Cossor 552 restore or not? I have a small collection of Attaché or Jewel box portable radios, so when I saw this one for sale recently I had to have it. It's not often a new in box 1957 radio becomes available. The set is I am sure unused it is in almost mint condition, the knob trims have become unglued but other than that it is pretty much as new. The wax capacitors aren't sticky they are solid and shiny. There are no signs that the plugs have ever been inserted into batteries. So here is my dilemma, do I keep it as it is untested. Test it and if it works or not leave it as that. Or test it and repair it as necessary which may mean losing the original capacitors. I know the set isn't valuable or a museum piece so do I let it finally sing or leave it as it is, mute new in box? Attached Thumbnails __________________ I am starting a choir for Christmas. So far we have Dean Dom Mary Lee and I...

1st Nov 2025, 10:39 pm	#2
music-centre Heptode Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 808	Re: NIB Cossor 552 restore or not? As it’s completely original I think I would leave it untested, just re glue the trims and keep it as a display item with the original box.

1st Nov 2025, 10:48 pm	#3
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 7,715	Re: NIB Cossor 552 restore or not? Just a personal opinion. Nothing much to listen to on MW/LW and this is not the most impressive of performers and I say that as a Cossor fan. Leave as is as an example of a new in box set complete with all the dodgy parts of its era. I also have a new in box 552 and and a couple of used set I restored some time ago the 552 isn't exactly common compared to Ever ready and Vidor sets but even less common is the 551 which I now have 3 examples of but all with issues. At the end of the day its your set No one can tell you what to do. Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

1st Nov 2025, 11:18 pm	#4
fetteler Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 1,584	Re: NIB Cossor 552 restore or not? I agree with music-centre, as it is so rare to find one is new unused condition and even with its box then it is a superb display item and can be treasured for that reason alone. Out of curiosity I've just consulted the Bank of England inflation calculator which tells us that 13 1/2 Guineas in 1957 equates to a whopping £298.31 in today's money. Just goes to show how relatively inexpensive technology is these days. Steve. __________________ Those who lack imagination cannot imagine what is lacking...

2nd Nov 2025, 6:53 am	#5
CambridgeWorks Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Spalding, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 3,721	Re: NIB Cossor 552 restore or not? Around 2000 I bought two WW2 RBZ portables in original boxes with all documents and accessories. One I sold to a collector and still have the other at the back of a shelf in my upstairs workshop. Back then I applied correct voltages and it worked perfectly. It was repacked and left where it is today. No doubt my daughter will inherit it. If it hadn't worked I might have fixed it with modern parts! Rob __________________ Sorting my very large amount TTL & LINEAR ICs. Message any wants, you might be surprised!

2nd Nov 2025, 2:43 pm	#6
kalee20 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK. Posts: 7,848	Re: NIB Cossor 552 restore or not? I'd say if you want a working 552, find another, probably with some patina of age and use, and restore that. This, factory-fresh, out-of-the-box, unsullied, virgin attaché case jobbie is a mini time-capsule... one visit from a soldering iron is all it takes to destroy that for ever. The resistors may have drifted a bit, and the capacitors may leak a bit, but you can see what they were, and how they were fitted.

2nd Nov 2025, 3:02 pm	#7
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,902	Re: NIB Cossor 552 restore or not? I would probably indulge my curiosity, provide power and see if it works, then leave it alone whether it does or not: which is what I did with the three unused or scarcely used early transistor portables that have come my way still boxed and looking new (Ever Ready Sky Leader, Roberts R500 and Bush TR130). How they responded I can't remember...

2nd Nov 2025, 10:09 pm	#8
JoshWard Nonode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Near Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 2,115	Re: NIB Cossor 552 restore or not? Curiosity would certainly get the better of me and I'd be reaching for the battery eliminator! Interesting to hear that Mike has one too. Given the outlay when new I wonder how it survived unused. Never sold? Returned under warranty?

2nd Nov 2025, 10:45 pm	#9
slidertogrid Nonode Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 2,268	Re: NIB Cossor 552 restore or not? I have been thinking the same and considering as Steve says it wasn't cheap when new, it seems lot of money to 'waste' on something not used. It didn't come from a trade contact, it was at a local house clearance place so I guess it was found when clearing a property... Talking to a friend today we discussed what the story could be, he suggested that it came from towards the end of valve portables just as Transistor radios were about to appear. Maybe a present that was not wanted? I know the Batteries for these valve sets were fairly expensive and a lot of sets fell into disuse fairly early on in life. I remember them being at jumble sales for next to nothing. I don't suppose we will ever know for sure... __________________ I am starting a choir for Christmas. So far we have Dean Dom Mary Lee and I...

9th Nov 2025, 10:19 pm	#11
MostlyHarmless Pentode Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Uckfield, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 224	Re: NIB Cossor 552 restore or not? No, leave it alone , its basically Museum quality and that's where it should really be!