'63? '64? Motorola 21" color

[old_tv_nut]

Originally Posted by Steve D.

Charlie,

That is a rare Motorola. Model 21CT2M. I have that 1956 Moto color tv ad in my collection. For years I thought it was a mock up set because the ad didn't mention a model # or if the set was even available. It may have been a pre-production set pictured. The ad does include an insert of a Motorola 21" b&w set for $379.00. It is great to see that at least one of these color sets have survived. I would certainly hope that you effort to restore it.

-Steve D.

Any chance of seeing a scan of that ad?

[Charlie]

Here is a shot of the ad taken with the camera. It's too large to fit on the scanner. I wish they would have given a better view of the whole set... and that someone would have kicked that kid out of the way! Didn't his parents tell him he'd fry his brain by being too close to the set???

[Steve D.]

Charlie,

Thanks for posting the ad. It is to big to scan. Not only does the kid block the set, but that big multi-color channel knob is way to dark to be seen, even viewing the ad first hand. IMO, I don't think Motorola planned to sell many of these sets. They just wanted the public to know they were in the game.


-Steve D.

[Charlie]

Originally Posted by Steve D.

IMO, I don't think Motorola planned to sell many of these sets. They just wanted the public to know they were in the game.
.

I think you're right... color was somewhat of a let down at first, and prices were too high for the amount of broadcasting. The 1955 Motorola color set ads at least included a price. Seems I have one ad from '55 that was priced at $895.00... that was the 19" roundie.

Too bad it isn't possible to find out how many of these sets were made in '56. I bet there's more of the '56 models out there... it's just a matter of finding them. I also wonder if the 56 models were any cheaper that the 55's.

The 21CT2M was finished in mahogany (like mine). The 21CT2B was finished in oak.

JRoberts, since you were a kid at the time when you were watching that 60's Motor, maybe those knobs just seemed bigger. Now that you're bigger, the knobs seem smaller! I recall a time in which I thought my grandmother was tall. Nowadays, she's pretty damn short!

[jroberts500]

JRoberts, since you were a kid at the time when you were watching that 60's Motor, maybe those knobs just seemed bigger. Now that you're bigger, the knobs seem smaller! I recall a time in which I thought my grandmother was tall. Nowadays, she's pretty damn short!


Charlie,
You are probably correct. However, I must see the other Motorola color models of the early '60's to know for certain. I must test my memory on anything I can prove or disprove in order to have more confidance in what cannot be proven. I have always believed that more harm than good is done to all concerned when we give information that is incorrect.
So, apparently there were three chassis' and I guess each chassis had it's own different knob set-up. I have seen the TS-907 and TS-916, thanks to everybody's generosity, but I'm thinking the TS-912 may be different.
Earlier when I first saw the TS-912 on that Sam's folder I was certain I had not seen that knob set-up before and wrote that in the reply. Days went by and I came to believe I saw that set/knob design in an old TV shop in St. Petersburg. It was Ken's TV and my boss, Ed Callahan of Ed's TV, was in conversation while I wondered through this old shop that was filled with old TV's. This was around '79 and I thought the place was very spooky but liked seeing the stuff. It seemd as though the sets came in and never left. I had the impression Ken was not too good with TV's as he was questioning Ed about a little '75 SONY 5"(or so) color set which we took with us and I later toyed with but had no clue of what to do more than to take it apart. Well, I think I saw, for about 4 seconds, the same knob layout on that Sam's picture of the TS-907. I was looking for a '67 RCA color remote control for the home entertainment center I loved so much. I found one that I later repaired the printed circuit board in.
Ponitless excercise? I think not.
Thanks for the help.
Have a nice day!
John