The EKCO AD65 was introduced in 1934. The most striking part of this model was the famous bakelite case. It was available in two finishes, figured walnut and black with chromium fittings. (Special finishes available to order, see later)
From an original Advert,
Six-stage superhet circuit with band pass tuning. Full delayed automatic volume control.
Interchangeable super-size station scale with names and wave-lengths. Colour code wave
band selector. Single-knob control. Light beam and shadow station indicator. New type
valves including octode frequency changer, H.F. pentode, double-diode pentode and
rectifier. Moving coil speaker. Output 2.5 watts. Wavelength range 200/550 meters
and 900/2,000 meters.
Dimensions 15½ x 15½ x 8 in.
Valves supplied :- Mullard FC13, Mazda VP.1321, Mazda Pen DD.40/20, and Mullard UR.2.
Consumption:- A.C., 70 watts; D.C., 65 watts.
Standard Model (Walnut Finish) .. .. .. .. £11 0 6
Black and Chromium Model .. .. .. .. £11 11 0
The price for the "ordinary" models seems to have peaked some years ago as every serious collector who wants one has probably got one now. Also all the publicity led to many more models being re-discovered.
The case was designed for a competition by Welles Coates, an architect. it has been suggested that he originally intended it to sit horizontally and for the set to be tuned by rotating the case. The marketing men had other ideas though. Even so the case has remained a classic and a coveted Art Deco object.
Back to the radio shelves