I have been looking for a TV that is near and dear to my heart. It was the very first TV that I can recall from my childhood. I'm not positive on the model name, but I believe it to be a 1953 Zenith called a "Norfolk".

What are your thoughts or experiences with this series of TV's from Zenith as far as servicing and reliability?

Also, does anybody here have one they are willing to let go to a good home?

I don't know about that particular model, but I have a Zenith T1816R from around 1955, also a tabletop in metal cabinet. It seemed to be well built. The chassis is a little cramped, as it wraps around the neck of the CRT, but not especially difficult to service, compared to other 1950s tabletops.

Every TV of that vintage will need recapping, of course.

Phil Nelson

i am almost sure i have that same tv and with the metal stand. was working when i stored it. i am a t zip 38827. what is your budget on this set. steve

One of these (except with the pop-up speaker on top) was available up here on Craigslist about a week ago, but it's since been sold...

Still looking for this set. Should be a bakelite cabinet, but not positive about that.

Anybody out there got one they will part with?

Saw one similar to that on craigslist a few days ago. I believe those cabinets are painted metal, not Bakelite.

Don't have the link, unfortunately. The listing was somewhere in the Pacific NW.

Phil Nelson

painted metal front , wood cabinet , metal bavk , have one but unable to ship

mike

Yeah, it's like there 's plenty of them out there, I'm just not allowed to have one

Anybody got one they're willing to ship or meet me somewhere with it between them and me?

I believe that there is a company that will go to a location, pick up an unpacked item, make a crate for it and then ship it. The name Craters and Freighters comes to mind. Perhaps you could work something out that way. I think that the recipient can make the arrangements.

I have used Craters & Freighters before to ship larger items than that, with no problems.

http://www.cratersandfreighters.com/

Simplest way is to get the nearest (to origin) C & F office on the phone and give them the dimensions, weight, and origin/destination locations to get an estimate.

Box Brothers company offers the same service, but their locations are more limited.

Phil Nelson

Something of that size and weight will easily ship via Greyhound, the problem is boxing it up or having someone else box it. At least it doesn't have to be packed like you would if using UPS or another similar carrier. Just wrapped in a shipping blanket or bubble wrap and put in a cardboard or wood box.

You have to take it to the bus station, and the recipient has to pick it up at the bus station on his end. Usually only takes a day or two to go halfway across the country. No door to door delivery.

Well Mike, sounds like Greyhound could be a viable option. What do you think Kramden66?

I am also a fan of Greyhound shipping. The hassle of going to and from the bus station is made up for by relatively reasonable shipping rates and much less possible damage.

This set on eBay looks similar:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160897494952

Insane BIN price, but the starting bid is reasonable. Shipping is expensive & mysteriously slow, so I'd inquire about that before placing even a token bid.

Phil Nelson

Phil,
Thanks for the heads up. I don't believe we had the funky speaker thing on top as this model does. However, it's not a deal breaker. I wonder if we have a member here in this forum that would be willing to look at the unit and give an honest evaluation plus help facilitate shipping to Indiana.
Anyone?

I believe the TV on ebay is a 1954 model and has what Zenith called their "bandshell" speaker which lifts up, faces foward and locks into position thereby aiming the sound toward the front. I grew up watching that model but with a blonde cabinet sitting on a wrought iron wire stand. Nearly all of the set-up controls are behind the pull-down, plastic door in the front. My dad bought it (even though he worked for RCA) because was one of the most sensitive sets in it's day for "fringe area" reception where we lived on eastern Long Island, 100 miles from NYC.

As I recall, it uses a 17LP4 picture tube which has a cylindrical face similar to the shape of early Sony Trinitrons. The tuner was "UHF Ready" and has replaceable coil strips. The idea was that you could replace the coils for unused VHF channels with UHF coils when these stations came on the air in your area. I don't know how well that idea ever worked out since we used a converter. We were often able to get a VHF station on every channel because VHF propagation over the eastern end of Long Island was extremely variable.

Dave

Sure would like to keep this alive. Does anybody here know this guy Kramden66 that says he has one but won't ship it? It's like the only way I could get it is to drive from Indiana to New Jersey for a $25.00 TV. Doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense. I PM'd my phone number and made a couple of suggestions about how to possibly get together and he just disappeared and doesn't respond. I sure can't understand that kind of thinking but, oh well, I guess I'll just have to keep looking. It's only been a few years so far

I will try to work out something with Bob

Mike

Mike.
I have the following info for you concerning Greyhound stations (3) near you.

1. 625 8th Ave.
New York, NY phone:212-971-6300

2. 1 Penn Central Railroad
Newark, NJ phone:973-622-4704

3. 460 8th Ave.
New York, NY phone:212-971-6325

I could pick up the shipment in Dayton Trotwood, Ohio 45426 phone:937-837-6281

Please advise your intentions. Thank you for your consideration.

Anyone know of other shipping services ? those locations are not good

mike