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At that time RCA, and many others, traditionally introduced the deluxe model at mid year and followed up EOY with a "cost improved" version at a lower price. The "cheapo" was usually introduced right after Christmas to refill dealer warehouses.
That was a marketing scheme to encourage dealers to buy the cheap model to average down costs of existing inventory. It also was a way to get dealers who never bought in at the initial price to buy some without devaluing the premier dealers unsold stock. It was usually offered in limited quantities like six or twelve. It also gave the discount houses a price leader while minimizing aggravation for the exclusive dealers.
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