Latest News
29-Dec-2009
Added database entries on four models that are not represented in catalog literature, including 4-A-37, 4-A-39, S-7396-2, S-7397-5.
21-May-2009
1954 radios added from the Spring-Summer 1954 Catalog.
19-May-2009
Added 1959 radios from a 1959 tri-fold brochure.
3-Apr-2009
Added radios from the Spring-Summer 1950 catalog.
6-Feb-2009
Added a Misc section for radio-related ads.
30-Jan-2009
1953 radios from the Spring-Summer catalog added.
26-Jan-2009
1940-41 Radio Catalog Slideshow added.
22-Jan-2009
1955 radios added.
21-Jan-2009
The new site is up and running, but I am still bug-checking and adding data..
1936-37 Radios
Firestone first began selling non-automobile radios in 1936, and they were advertised as "The New Air Chief - Monarch of the Universe!" in the Fall/Winter 1936-1937 catalog. These radios were likely manufactured by Stewart Warner, and branded with Firestone tags and emblems. Only three models were listed, a humble start!
Firestone tended to introduce its new radios in the Fall/Winter catalogs. This page is listed as 1936-1937, because these radios would have been available from fall of 1936 through fall of 1937. After this year, I have denoted radios by the "year of the line". That is, the 1938 "line" was introduced in the Fall/Winter 1937-1938 catalog, but I simply refer to them as 1938 radios. I have listed this page with two years as there were no previous 1936 models.
7405-1
This was the entry level Firestone set for 1936-37. It's a 4 tube AC-DC set boasting "good performance, at a low cost." It retailed for $13.95.
I have seen a few of these radios in white, as well. While I haven't been able to examine one carefully, it seems that this may have been an optional color.
7405-2/R-1651-AS
This radio was undoubtably manufactured for Firestone by Stewart Warner. The same radio can be found with a Stewart Warner nameplate. The was the middle of the line radio for Firestone in 1936-37, a 5-tube model in a hand-rubbed walnut cabinet for $23.95.
My copy of this radio was acquired and restored in the summer of 2003. Click here for the before photo. I have only ever seen a few of these radios. Note how the center knob is different from those on either side in the ad! The knobs on my example are wrong.
7405-3/R-1661-A
This is the top-of-the line Firestone tabletop radio for 1936-37. It's a 7 tube radio featuring a tuning eye, large 6 inch airplane-style dial, 8 inch speaker, and a host of other features. It retailed for $42.50. These are beautiful radios.
My example here has an original but tired finish, and the I think the grille cloth is wrong (as well as being poorly mounted). I may refinish this one at some point when I have time, click on the photo for a larger picture.