Trying to date an RCA
 

Hi everyone, a friend has just found this beautiful RCA model CDK2A. We can't figure out what the Chasis CTC# is, does anyone recognize it?

And the remote...

Looks like it may be the "Worthington", which is a late CTC-7. Check out this pic: http://www.novia.net/~ereitan/Galler...hington300.gif

Thats a classy looking remote, for sure...real wood?!

I have an RCA commercial on DVD for your set. It's pretty cool. NICE set by the way!

I'm sorry, the title toy this thread is just so WRONG! :yikes:

You don't want top know the first thought that ran though my head! :D


:lmao:

Yes I saw the brochure over at http://www.novia.net/~ereitan/Galler...ery_Index.html - the model you posted was the closest model to the picture, but there was no match. He said it has four speakers and a stereo jack too! It almost looks like the Worthington with it's little legs sawed off, :dunno:

Yes OwtlawMWS, I thought the exact same thing after I posted the message and read it again. :lmao:

Hell, it could be more fun than SOME women I've been out with...<grin>-Sandy G.

Awww man!!!
That's the FULL FUNCTION version of the '7. :thmbsp

That was one of the first remote color sets!

I've got the minimal function remote version of the '7. Full function's cooler :)

PS - have fun getting the remote to work :yes:

And remember to use protection when dating your TV. Don't want to get zapped by the HV!

:banana:

Uni,

All I can say is WOW! That's a slick looking color set! Definately a top of the line model!

What else can you tell us about it? Where and how was it found? Any known history on it? Working? Good CRT? Does it have the 21AXP? Clean chassis? Are those little pull-out panels containing controls on each side under the little windows? Inquiring minds wanna know!

Is this a UHF model? I'm noticing a little window on both sides. I figured the one on the right is the VHF window. The one on the left... is that a UHF window, or, is that the receiver mic for the remote?

You mentioned that a "friend" found it. Did he find it for himself, or did he find it for you? Is it gonna be in your collection?

Sorry bout all the questions, but it's like you're teasing us with only a picture! Tell us more!

That set is absolutely awesome! Congrats to your friend for finding it!

Hi everyone, thanks for the tip Nasadowsk about the set being a full function CTC7. Sorry Charlie, didn't mean to be such a tease, but I haven't actually seen the set in person. It was found by a close friend of mine and fellow automatic washer collector in Omaha, he is very excited about it and plans on restoring it someday, but first he want's to get more familiar with electronics by starting with a few radio restorations. I'll send him your questions and see if we can find out a bit more. He did say the wood on the cabinet was in beautiful condition.

Top of the line in '58
 

As mentioned, it is the Worthington (21RC899) CTC-7. Uses the 21CYP22 picture tube. There is just below the channel indicator, on the upper right, a pull down Burled wood door, the brass pulls can be seen. Behind the door are electronic tuning buttons that duplicate all the functions of the remote control. The multi function "wireless wizard" remote control stores in a velvet lined compartment behind another pull down door below the remote receiver sensor on the cabinet upper left. This tv had a very complex on set all electronic tuning system coupled with the remote. A very pricey set at $1200.00 1958 dollars. There is another mint condition Worthington owned buy a private collector here in Los Angeles.

-Steve D.

Here's a link to a commercial for a similar, if not identical, model.

Linky

veg

damn..... I'm in Omaha, and NEVER run across anything like that. I think they had your friend once on a local news segment, they did a pretty cool piece on him.

Great link for the RCA remote control infomercial! Looks like the same model set to me, so the date of this film is likely earlier than 1961 as shown at the site. :scratch2: Interesting that you had to walk to the set to turn on the separate remote amplifier before using the remote control...

Ya know, I bet with all of the remote functions, there must be a major hairball of extra wires in that set. Power tuning, AND fine tuning... man I'd hate to take this thing apart for repairs. I have two RCA sets here with the standard remote functions on a CTC15 and !6 and they look like they could be a mess to deal with! And this set is a CTC7 with more functions than a 15 or 16? Hmmm... nice looking set, but I bet it's a pain to work on! Better have plenty of beer on hand for this restoration! :)

My '62 Space Command is the same way. I'm sure there were several like this till the later years. Hell... back then, those people didn't know any better. They still thought it was pretty snazzy to have the remote... even if they had to power it up from the set first!

Thanks for helping date this great television - I had no idea it was that early, we were thinking mid-60's. This set came out of a house in my neighborhood that is being cleaned out on court orders so everything must go. Since the guy doing the work couldn't get a picture, he decided to toss it. I convinced him to let me take it so I carted it home the two blocks to a safe and loving home.

The window on the right side is for the channel display, the left side window is the remote mic. No UHF. Velvet lined remote compartment?? I have no velvet...what color was it?

Thanks again guys, I've had fun reading the posts about this set and the many other forums here.

Greg, Omaha NE

Hey Greg! NICE set! I live in Omaha, any chance I could see it sometime? I also have some parts and test equipment if you need any help with it.

Greg,

That is a great find. And a great save. I just ran the RCA Worthington demo film that I have on DVD. The left remote storage compartment door pulls out to reveal a gold velvet insert lined compartment that matches the pull out door for the controls on the right. I also notice that in the RCA brochure pix and in an ad I have, the horizontal brass trim handle is only on the right but not the left. But is on both sides on your set as well as my friend's set. The handles on the demo film set are wood not brass. I wonder if this was a design change during the sets production run?

-Steve D.

I downloaded that. Wow, the production values of that commercial are stunningly bad. That glitter coated Christmas star thing at the beginning and end is really badly done. Which is suprizing as RCA owned NBC, and could have gotten some of their TV show people to make something better.

"All seven functions are continiously variable" Well, I don't think the ON/OFF function is anything other than 2 states (on or off, not partly on and partly off).

I agree. Although I don't think it was produced as a tv commercial. The narration damn near put me to sleep. Looks like an industrial film made for dealers and trade shows ect. RCA used their own advertising agency for this stuff apart from NBC.

-Steve D.

---

TV Amputation
 

I hadn't noticed until a fellow collector pointed it out. The legs on this outstanding Worthington have been cut down by quite a bit. Maybe the original owner couldn't get it through the door.

-Steve D.

yes, now I understand that you are really not trying to date the TV but wot are you doing with washing machines??? :) and is that legal in nebraska.

But this Tv set is seriously cool.