Zenith Model# 85661 - Have magic eye?

Does this model have the Magic Eye?

 

Are you looking for a "Magic Eye" tube ? If so, I might refer you to the Jacksonville Antique Radio Society, and Mr. Andrew Rood.

We are long time friends, and at one time he told me he had a fairly large collection of them that he got NOS .

The URL is

http://www.jarsradioclub.com/

Good luck, hope you find what you are looking for. Just say "Hello" to Andy for me.

Jim AG3Y

 

Good photo of one in good condition
http://vintage2modern.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=28&language=es

 

Seen that pic but I can't tell if there is an eye up at the top of the dial or not.

 

Did you click on it to enlarge it ? The "eye" is in the top center of the round dial.

Here is a slightly better picture of a Zenith Magic Eye set. The eyes I remember were somewhat greener than this one appears to be. Probably some color balance issue between the photographer's computer and mine.

http://www.magiceyetubes.com/zenith06.htm

The "Eye" would have a dark "V" shape that would close as the signal became stronger, or was better tuned in.

Hope this helps. 73, Jim

 

Here is a radio being sold on E-Bay. Is this the one you are interested in ?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Zenith-...34.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=|301:1|293:2|294:30

That bright spot looks like sun glare on the glass over the dial, but if you look carefully at the last picture, you should see that there is a tube right at the center of the top of the dial. Of course, you could always query the seller!

Good luck. Jim

 

Thats the same pic from that other site.

Sorry but I see no eye. I am not convinced it has one. I'll see if the folks selling it can take a close up of the dial for me.

 

Mark -

I THINK you are actually looking for the Zenith 8S661. -- "S", not "5"

I see a number of these Zenith consoles in the Chicago area.
No surprise, since the Zenith consoles were built here and some estate units are from former employees.
You are correct to ask about the presence of the Magic Eye.

Zenith floor consoles normally placed their MagicEye at the 12 o-clock position of the dial.
That position may be clear (easy to see the eye) OR
may have a dial etching on a few models.

Zenith 9S367 console with magic eye
http://johnjeanantiqueradio.com/Consoles4Sale.htm
Zenith 10S470 console with a magic eye
http://www.magiceyetubes.com/zenith06.htm

Spend some time at John and Jean Antique Radio web page.
John Goller, K9UWA and Jean Anderson, N9PXF (Leo, Indiana)
http://johnjeanantiqueradio.com/

John and his wife are well known restorers and have a large multi-building collection of radio consoles.
Nice 3 tower antenna farm as well!

Kim Herron, W8ZV purchased a number of John's radios in storage for restoration --
would be a good contact -- he has a Zenith 8S359 in his collection.
http://www.goldenradioservice.com/page_home.html

w9gb

 

Greg is probably right. I used the "5" in my google lookup, and finally got to radios with model numbers including the "S" !

I still believe you could contact the fellows down at the Jacksonville Antique Radio Society, if you don't have any luck with Greg's Chicago group.

Good luck ! Jim