Automatic Radio Decal - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

the_snark · 22nd Jul 2012, 10:44 pm

Hi,

I want to make a new decal for my Automatic Radio model 660 but the old decal is in poor condition. It appears to have a red background but it is very hard to tell. Does anyone have an Automatic Radio with a decal that has a red background? If so please can I have a photo. If I can make a reasonable decal I will make it available to anyone who is interested.

Regards

Tim

Darren-UK · 22nd Jul 2012, 11:23 pm

I can't help with a picture, but if the 660 is a woody and the decal is applied to the cabinet then it was red - almost a crimson shade originally. One of our USA members will hopefully be able to help further.

Automatic made some nice sets, quite quirky in some cases. Pity they don't turn up in the UK very often.

the_snark · 23rd Jul 2012, 6:28 am

Hi Darren,

Yes it is a woody with an unusual sliding cover over the speaker. I just tried to take a photo but my battery was flat so I will post one tonight.

G8HQP Dave · 23rd Jul 2012, 10:15 am

I guess it is OK for an American set to have a decal. British sets, of course, used transfers!

the_snark · 23rd Jul 2012, 6:54 pm

Here are the pictures as promised.
As you can see the transfer is in a pretty poor shape.

Darren-UK · 24th Jul 2012, 12:04 am

Ah, a problem. The handful of these sets I've seen had red lettering on a contrasting or, in some cases, a transparent background with a red border. Yours appears to have what began life as a red background with lettering in another colour.

Unfortunately a chap I knew a few years back with a collection of American, including Automatic, radios is no longer with us so it looks like I can't advise further. A web search I did a little while ago didn't bear fruit either. As said earlier, hopefully one of our USA members will be able to help, failing that you could try one of the American 'antique radio' forums.

the_snark · 24th Jul 2012, 12:09 am

If all else fails I will reconstruct it from the evidence I have. It can only look better than it does at the moment.

22nd Jul 2012, 10:44 pm	#1
the_snark Triode Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Maldon, Essex, UK. Posts: 29	Automatic Radio Decal Hi, I want to make a new decal for my Automatic Radio model 660 but the old decal is in poor condition. It appears to have a red background but it is very hard to tell. Does anyone have an Automatic Radio with a decal that has a red background? If so please can I have a photo. If I can make a reasonable decal I will make it available to anyone who is interested. Regards Tim __________________ Tim. Come over to the dark side ........... We have cookies!

22nd Jul 2012, 11:23 pm	#2
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: Automatic Radio Decal I can't help with a picture, but if the 660 is a woody and the decal is applied to the cabinet then it was red - almost a crimson shade originally. One of our USA members will hopefully be able to help further. Automatic made some nice sets, quite quirky in some cases. Pity they don't turn up in the UK very often.

23rd Jul 2012, 6:28 am	#3
the_snark Triode Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Maldon, Essex, UK. Posts: 29	Re: Automatic Radio Decal Hi Darren, Yes it is a woody with an unusual sliding cover over the speaker. I just tried to take a photo but my battery was flat so I will post one tonight. __________________ Tim. Come over to the dark side ........... We have cookies!

23rd Jul 2012, 10:15 am	#4
G8HQP Dave Rest in Peace Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Solihull, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 4,872	Re: Automatic Radio Decal I guess it is OK for an American set to have a decal. British sets, of course, used transfers!

23rd Jul 2012, 6:54 pm	#5
the_snark Triode Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Maldon, Essex, UK. Posts: 29	Re: Automatic Radio Decal Here are the pictures as promised. As you can see the transfer is in a pretty poor shape. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Tim. Come over to the dark side ........... We have cookies!

24th Jul 2012, 12:04 am	#6
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: Automatic Radio Decal Ah, a problem. The handful of these sets I've seen had red lettering on a contrasting or, in some cases, a transparent background with a red border. Yours appears to have what began life as a red background with lettering in another colour. Unfortunately a chap I knew a few years back with a collection of American, including Automatic, radios is no longer with us so it looks like I can't advise further. A web search I did a little while ago didn't bear fruit either. As said earlier, hopefully one of our USA members will be able to help, failing that you could try one of the American 'antique radio' forums.

24th Jul 2012, 12:09 am	#7
the_snark Triode Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Maldon, Essex, UK. Posts: 29	Re: Automatic Radio Decal If all else fails I will reconstruct it from the evidence I have. It can only look better than it does at the moment. __________________ Tim. Come over to the dark side ........... We have cookies!