new project: Arvin 87k58

[bre's dad]

I stopped by a real estate open house about a month ago at the site of an old 50's house, mostly original just up the street from my house. I found an old Arvin color TV. The realtor was puzzled why I was more interested in the tv than the house. I explained to him I collect vintage audio & video gear and something like this was one thing I've been looking for. He threw a clever pitch that the rest of my collection would probably look good in the house sitting next to it and I could probably ahve the tv if I bought the house. After laughing at his comment, I gave him my name & number and asked if he would ask the seller if he'd want to get rid of it. Over the weekend I drove by and saw a car and plumber's truck out front and the doors were open. I stopped in, told the guy who I was (he said the realitor said some nut was interested in the old tv) and he let me have it. It was purchased new by his family (didn't say if it was him or a relative.) Anyway, we loaded it up and I took it home after he turned it on and said it hasn't worked in years. Physically its in good shape aside from the water marks on the top. But that can be refinished pretty easily. Only thing that sucks is that I just got rid of an old Arvin console stereo that matches this pretty well.

Figuring any damage had been done by him not firing it up with a variac, I pulled the back off and turned it on in the garage. There is one station I know that still braodcasts in analog, so I turned it there... no picture but sound. I think all the tubes lit up (the filament on the CRT lit up, a good sign.) Hopefully in the near future after I get my old RCA roundie up & running we can focus on bringing this thing back to life. Until then, it will sit in the basement next to the RCA.

Not sure exactly how old this one is, but I'm guessing mid 60's. Its a square screen and says made in Japan on the back (many old Arvin electronics including an old roundie Arvin I had were made in Columbus, Indiana.) Model on the back of the set says 87K58. Label on the inside says TKU9301. Chassis sas TVA50500. No web searches have found anything yet, but I haven't looked too hard.