Maybe I'm smoking crack, but...

[Carmine]

I don't think this (non-original) finish looks too bad...



http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1950-Zen...QQcmdZViewItem

I might be something to consider for those functionally good, cosmetically trashed TVs that might otherwise hit the dumpster.

I'm pretty sure this is the same cabinet I used. (I bought mine gutted!)

[veg-o-matic]

Why yes. Yes you are smoking crack

Okay, I guess it could be worse, but not much. Ugh. Remember those "antiquing" kits from the '70s? I wonder how many nice pieces of furniture got irreparably uglified by them.

veg

Wow thats the first TV i have seen with a circle screen

Seems like a lot of trouble back in the late 60's/early 70's to put such a detailed "antiqued" finish on the cabinet for a TV that probably didn't work anymore by that time. Could this be a case where maybe the cabinet was customized with this finish at/near the time of purchase? I won't go so far as to say Zenith did it since there are people on this board who have far more knowledge than I do about Zenith and what was available/optional back when this set was manufactured, but it looks very detailed and putting that kind of work into what was likely a dead set and a white elephant piece of furniture doesn't make much sense to me. So I have to think this was done early on, if not before, the original owner took delivery.

[Carmine]

If you read the auction, there is much ado about this finished being applied when new, by the finest re-finisher in all of the land, blah, blah...

Also, don't assume it didn't work by the 60s/70s. I'm still daily-watching a '58 Zenith "eyeball" set, and it's only had two caps replaced. Basement/rec-room use; perhaps... "Dead?" Not always... I was seeing sets of this vintage tossed well into the 80s.

[Bill Cahill]

Crack? Hand me my reefer!! That's what I'd need to put up with this antiquing job. They clain owner had it proffessionally done in the 50's, but, antiquing actually started in late 60's. Would someone please save this set, and restore it back to its' original beuty? I'll bet there's some lovely butt mahoganny veneer on the outside of doors underneath that ugly paint......

[Eric H]

Originally Posted by Bill Cahill

Would someone please save this set, and restore it back to its' original beuty? I'll bet there's some lovely butt mahoganny veneer on the outside of doors underneath that ugly paint......

Yes, please someone do!! You can see the original color peeking out in a few places, the wood looks to be in good condition.

I see the reserve is met at $200, is that anyone here?

[Chad Hauris]

I have an Airline mahogany console radio that had been painted in this exact same avocado green color with an "antiqued" finish. I do actually like the color though (but the original finish would look better.)

[Carmine]

i was only suggesting for cabinets that were beyond repair...

I'll go back to my crack-den now.

refer?naw,man..nobody does that..hey! man! look! there's people talkin inside that wooden box!far out,man..!