Westinghouse H-125 Refrigerator Radio Find - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Tubejunke · #1 09-08-2014, 06:52 PM

I found this neat looking radio in a junk store. It's in near mint condition and plays unbelievably clear and loud. I love it! Anybody know anything about these or have one?

***Kamakiri*** · #2 09-09-2014, 06:47 AM

Those are really neat! One of the few radios I *haven't* had.....

Sandy G · #3 09-09-2014, 07:37 AM

I've got a white/cream colored version. Plays GREAT. Did they give these away as "Prizes" to stimulate fridge sales after the War ? Seems like I heard/read that about them, somewhere ...

dieseljeep · #4 09-09-2014, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy G

I've got a white/cream colored version. Plays GREAT. Did they give these away as "Prizes" to stimulate fridge sales after the War ? Seems like I heard/read that about them, somewhere ...

My understanding was, the radio was included with the purchase of a new Westinghouse fridge. I don't think, it was available separately. They were available in several great colors.
The vertical design was rather easy to tip over or fall, so many were damaged.
A great sounding six tube radio.

Sandy G · #5 09-09-2014, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

My understanding was, the radio was included with the purchase of a new Westinghouse fridge. I don't think, it was available separately. They were available in several great colors.
The vertical design was rather easy to tip over or fall, so many were damaged.
A great sounding six tube radio.

Yeah, & the little carrying handle was kinda "Rikki-Tikki", too, which likely got a bunch more of 'em when it failed. I gave an INSANE amount for mine 10-15 yrs ago when I got it, $300, or so. But I've taken very good care of it, as a result..

WISCOJIM · #6 09-09-2014, 04:30 PM

Has anyone got a copy of advertisng showing this was given away with a refrigerator purchase?

The reason I ask is I've heard the "given away only with a fridge" story for decades, but that doesn't jive with the Westinghouse advertising I've seen.

If some were really distributed this way, I'd like to see some documentation of it.

old_coot88 · #7 09-09-2014, 05:35 PM

Cute little bugger. A little more skinny on it here..

http://www.bing.com/search?q=westing...2eeb&FORM=QBLH

dieseljeep · #8 09-09-2014, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WISCOJIM

Has anyone got a copy of advertisng showing this was given away with a refrigerator purchase?

The reason I ask is I've heard the "given away only with a fridge" story for decades, but that doesn't jive with the Westinghouse advertising I've seen.

If some were really distributed this way, I'd like to see some documentation of it.

I was probably mistaken about "only with a refrigerator purchase".
I understand it was used as an incentive for the purchase of a refrigerator, package deal?
Back in the old days, many products were "fair traded", meaning a dealer couldn't sell an item, for less than the manufacture's list price. Either the dealer would give a trade in allowance on an old unit or throw in an item, that was 5 or 10% of the selling price of the large item. A lot of time, that would cinch the sale.

Tubejunke · #9 09-09-2014, 08:30 PM

Thanks all! Lots of great information here. Now to see if Nostalgia Air has the schematic that I hope I never need!

Tubejunke · #10 09-09-2014, 09:20 PM

In that one picture, the kid calls it a "streamlined powerhouse." They couldn't have said it better really. It's probably the loudest old radio that I have. I may never see the inside of it and hope that I don't as I have heard that they are incredibly hard to service.

Usually the first thing I want to do is take a set apart and at least clean everything. Not this time. It's too nice and from what little I can see of the chassis from the bottom, the inside is as near mint as the outside.

Robb · #11 09-09-2014, 09:33 PM

Nice !

Sandy G · #12 09-09-2014, 10:19 PM

Yeah, they're a BEAR to try to get apart. Tried on mine several times, but I could see all I was about to do was likely Eff it up big time, so, in a RARE burst of smarts, I quit..

dieseljeep · #13 09-10-2014, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy G

Yeah, they're a BEAR to try to get apart. Tried on mine several times, but I could see all I was about to do was likely Eff it up big time, so, in a RARE burst of smarts, I quit..

It's been ages, but IIRC, remove the center green screw and the tuning knob and the side lifts off. Then, remove a tri-mount fastener or two, to move the loop out of the way, for tube replacement.