Mopar Model 802 Radio

It turns out that this car has a pretty cool radio (the cats really seem to like it).  It's been sitting on the front seat and I finally decided to have a closer look at it.  It's an 802 Mopar manufactured by Philco and weighs about 20 pounds.  It has a tone control feature which adjusts the tone as well as the color of the backlighting on the face.  From the original manual:



"An entirely new and novel color tone control is designed into the MoPar Radio Model 802.  The disc behind the volume control knob allows the owner to change the tone of the radio to suit his taste.  The tone is indicated by the color illumination of the dial, push buttons and the tone indicator.  When the indicator shows the word MELLO and the illumination of the dial is VIOLET, bass notes are given heavy emphasis.  As the disc is turned to the right the VIOLET light gradually changes through the spectrum until YELLOW appears and the bass notes are blended with the treble notes, and the word MUSIC appears in the indicator.  On turning the disc further to the right the treble notes are emphasized, the illumination changes to RED and the indicator shows VOICE.  In this last position, speech is more natural and pleasing.  For music use the position MELLO or MUSIC.  When static or other electrical interference is present it can be reduced by adjusting the tone control to MELLO."  See http://www.dodgepilothouseclub.org/know/802/imgcol/contact_1.htm

I took the front and back panels off to have a look inside.  It is not as bad as I expected judging from the corrosion on the outside of the case, but I'm sure it needs serious work to get running again.  Some googling turned up several restorers, one of which had a general quote of $400 to restore all 20 paper and filter capacitors and includes up to five tubes or resistors, and a new dial cord and dial lamps if needed.  I don't think it covers any cosmetic work.

Maybe there is a retired guy living out in the backwoods of Vermont, stuck in the snow, who needs a winter project.  Maybe someone who used to be a ham radio guy and an electrician?  Surely, amongst the throng of readers of this blog, there is someone out there like that who would enjoy the challenge of getting this thing fired up again.