retro – Sierra Classic Car Audio

On the Bench: ’58 Philco Predicta “Barberpole”

Restoration wrap-up on a Philco Predicta Pedestal TV.

Two Predictas hot off the bench!

Just finished servicing these two stunning Philco Predictas for Hepcat Restorations. The larger floor model, known colloquially as the “Barber Pole” or “Pedestal” was 98% bone stock and I was impressed that it was working at all with so many original components though with a ‘squeezed’ picture (poor vertical deflection.) After discussing the options, IContinue reading “Two Predictas hot off the bench!”

Beetlejuice in 1958 Color

Have you ever seen a 1950s color TV set? This amazing 1958 RCA CTC-7 series came up for sale on ebay out of San Jose. These early round screen TVs are very unusual, and only the very wealthy could afford to own such a set in the ’50s. Color broadcasts did not become regular untilContinue reading “Beetlejuice in 1958 Color”

On the Bench: The new blonde Philco Predicta!

I just got back from a small group meetup of early TV enthusiasts at a fellow collector’s house in San Jose. Among the featured sets were a pair of pre-WWII 5″ television receivers (VERY rare) and one modern replica of a “color wheel” b&w to color converter. Too cool! I picked up this blonde PredictaContinue reading “On the Bench: The new blonde Philco Predicta!”