Identification
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Overview
The item is clearly identified by the manufacturer's label on the bottom, which reads 'Firestone Air Chief', 'Stock No. 4-A-41'. The label also includes a tube location diagram showing a standard 'All American Five' (AA5) configuration (12SA7, 12SK7, 12SQ7, 50L6GT, 35Z5GT), which firmly places its technology and design in the post-WWII era, specifically the late 1940s.
Story
Manufactured in the late 1940s, this radio was produced for retail sale through Firestone's network of tire and auto service stores, which expanded into home appliances and electronics post-WWII. The 'Air Chief' line utilized the standard 'All American Five' tube configuration, a reliable and cost-effective circuit design that dominated mid-century American tabletop radios. The secondary market for post-WWII 'All American Five' tube radios is steady but highly stratified based on operational status and cosmetic condition.
Maker / Origin
Firestone
Condition & Value
The radio presents with its original ivory-painted molded plastic cabinet and bold red typography. The horizontal grille louvers appear intact without obvious cracks or major structural damage in the provided context.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The secondary market for post-WWII 'All American Five' tube radios is steady but highly stratified based on operational status and cosmetic condition. Fully restored or modernized units (often fitted with Bluetooth) appeal to mid-century design enthusiasts and command premium retail prices. Conversely, untested or non-working examples are typically relegated to hobbyists and parts buyers at significantly lower price points.
▲ Exact model match (4-A-41) in restored condition establishes a proven $165 ceiling.
▲ Intact molded plastic cabinet with original red typography appeals to mid-century aesthetic buyers.
▲ Standard 'All American Five' tube configuration makes servicing and parts sourcing straightforward for collectors.
▼ Unverified operational status — if the unit is non-working or untested, the estimate drops to the $50-$80 'project' tier.
▼ Original capacitors and wiring from the 1940s often require complete replacement for safe daily use, limiting plug-and-play appeal.
▼ Unverified cabinet integrity — any hidden hairline cracks in the plastic would significantly reduce cosmetic grading.
Best Venue
Test the radio safely (ideally using a variac to prevent capacitor damage) to confirm its operational status. If fully working, list on specialty vintage electronics marketplaces or broad platforms like eBay with a clear video demonstrating its functionality, pricing near $145 for a steady sale. If untested or non-working, list as a 'project/parts' radio at $65 to attract hobbyist restorers.
Upside Potential
If the radio has already been professionally restored with modernized internals (such as recapped circuitry or a discreet Bluetooth modification) while maintaining a pristine exterior, it could reach or slightly exceed the $165 high-end.