Thorn Ferguson Caravelle - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

spencer999 · 18th Aug 2007, 7:18 pm

hello there

I have recently found a radio at my parents house and was looking for some more information on it.

The radio is a furguson Caravelle but has Thorn electricals on the bottom of it.

Can anyone shed any information on its age?

dazzlevision · 18th Aug 2007, 8:47 pm

Hello,

If it's a Ferguson, there should be a paper or plastic label (possibly in the battery compartment), which has a four digit number on that will start with a 3. If you can find this, it will made the correct ID easier. I have a "Caravelle" (Ferguson model number 3156), which was made circa 1967.

Mine is a transistor portable, with VHF, Long, Medium and Short wavebands, provision for connecting a car aerial, wooden end panels and a handle with a wooden section. All-in-all, a rather nice looking set. It works quite well too.

I have the Ferguson range brochure which contains the Caravelle radio - 26 Guineas plus 7/6d Purchase Tax! Ferguson later offered a "Caravelle II", model 3169 - looks like the differences were mainly cosmetic.

Regards,

Dazzlevision

Paul Stenning · 18th Aug 2007, 9:48 pm

Thorn (aka BRC) owned the Ferguson brand and the Ultra brand, and also made sets under licence for Marconiphone, HMV and (I think) Philco. All used the same basic innards with different cabinets and minor electrical differences (presence or absence of tone controls and earphone sockets etc). Most were reasonably well made and were generally reliable.

The attached picture is from the Ferguson 3156 service data (Trader sheet 1873). Does this look like yours?

spencer999 · 19th Aug 2007, 8:47 am

hello there.

Thanks for the the info guys. Yes it does look like the picture posted and i found the modle number in the battery compartment. it is 3156 with a serial number of 36107.

Paul Stenning · 19th Aug 2007, 8:02 pm

The Trader sheet is dated September 1968 so it is probably a 1968 model or maybe a 1967 model. Some Trader sheets give the month/year the model was released and the original price, but this one doesn't.

What else do you need to know now?

If you want service data, try the link at the top right corner where you can buy a copy of the Trader sheet by email for £1.99.

Value - probably not much, a tenner on a good day if it is in good condition and complete. Though if someone wants the specific model you could get a bit more. If it's a set you remember your parents using it'll probably be worth to you for sentimental reasons.

spencer999 · 20th Aug 2007, 11:41 am

Hi Paul.

Thanks for the info on that. I found out that it had only just recently been picked up off a carboot sale for a pound by my mum. It's in full working order and I've cleaned it up and it looks great. In all honesty I don't think I'll be selling it as I've grown attached to it. but thanks for the price evaluation anyway! Looks and sounds too good to sell.

Spencer James

18th Aug 2007, 7:18 pm	#1
spencer999 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Coventry - UK Posts: 3	Thorn Ferguson Caravelle hello there I have recently found a radio at my parents house and was looking for some more information on it. The radio is a furguson Caravelle but has Thorn electricals on the bottom of it. Can anyone shed any information on its age?

18th Aug 2007, 8:47 pm	#2
dazzlevision Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Near Swindon, North Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,611	Re: Thorn Ferguson Caravelle Hello, If it's a Ferguson, there should be a paper or plastic label (possibly in the battery compartment), which has a four digit number on that will start with a 3. If you can find this, it will made the correct ID easier. I have a "Caravelle" (Ferguson model number 3156), which was made circa 1967. Mine is a transistor portable, with VHF, Long, Medium and Short wavebands, provision for connecting a car aerial, wooden end panels and a handle with a wooden section. All-in-all, a rather nice looking set. It works quite well too. I have the Ferguson range brochure which contains the Caravelle radio - 26 Guineas plus 7/6d Purchase Tax! Ferguson later offered a "Caravelle II", model 3169 - looks like the differences were mainly cosmetic. Regards, Dazzlevision

18th Aug 2007, 9:48 pm	#3
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 9,071	Re: Thorn Ferguson Caravelle Thorn (aka BRC) owned the Ferguson brand and the Ultra brand, and also made sets under licence for Marconiphone, HMV and (I think) Philco. All used the same basic innards with different cabinets and minor electrical differences (presence or absence of tone controls and earphone sockets etc). Most were reasonably well made and were generally reliable. The attached picture is from the Ferguson 3156 service data (Trader sheet 1873). Does this look like yours? Attached Thumbnails __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

19th Aug 2007, 8:47 am	#4
spencer999 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Coventry - UK Posts: 3	Re: Thorn Ferguson Caravelle hello there. Thanks for the the info guys. Yes it does look like the picture posted and i found the modle number in the battery compartment. it is 3156 with a serial number of 36107.

19th Aug 2007, 8:02 pm	#5
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 9,071	Re: Thorn Ferguson Caravelle The Trader sheet is dated September 1968 so it is probably a 1968 model or maybe a 1967 model. Some Trader sheets give the month/year the model was released and the original price, but this one doesn't. What else do you need to know now? If you want service data, try the link at the top right corner where you can buy a copy of the Trader sheet by email for £1.99. Value - probably not much, a tenner on a good day if it is in good condition and complete. Though if someone wants the specific model you could get a bit more. If it's a set you remember your parents using it'll probably be worth to you for sentimental reasons. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

20th Aug 2007, 11:41 am	#6
spencer999 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Coventry - UK Posts: 3	Re: Thorn Ferguson Caravelle Hi Paul. Thanks for the info on that. I found out that it had only just recently been picked up off a carboot sale for a pound by my mum. It's in full working order and I've cleaned it up and it looks great. In all honesty I don't think I'll be selling it as I've grown attached to it. but thanks for the price evaluation anyway! Looks and sounds too good to sell. Spencer James