Not sure what this item is but it is definitely unusual. To me it....the knobs and chrome face look like 1957 Oldsmobile. The swing-up opening in the center is large like it would accommodate an 8 track tape. I can find no ID or serial marks on it anywhere. Looks like a factory dash unit to me! Anyone ever seen anything like this? My father-in-law would say it was a left-handed spivot joint connector!
There were radio designs that had removeable portable transistor radios (for the beach and such). I'd bet that's one of those.
I think there was a thread about rare factory options or accessories that showed the GM setup with the transistor radio.
Correctamundo (feeling a little gay today) no 8 tracks before the '60s and the first 8 tracks were 4 tracks. One can tell if it is a tape deck by looking inside to find the head, it is a prominent piece easy to see should be centered in the back.
The Olds "transportables" were available in '58 and '59 for sure--I have a '59 unit. I don't think they were available in '57 though...
Pontiac had these as well. Very rare option but you need the rest of it or it's pretty much a wall hanger.
Even if you could find the radio part, it wouldn't be much fun; notice it's AM only. I got the stock radio in my '51 Ford working great. After about 6 months, the one good station in the area was sold, and now there's nothing on AM but farm reports, foreign language fare, and religious programming. Not what I'd call "cruising fodder". As I remember, the batteries in these things were famous for going bad, corroding, and ruining the unit. Not one of the generals more practical ideas. Kinda neat, though.
Good call Rockettruck! I goggled 1958 Oldsmobile transportable radio and got a link that told all about them. Only made in 1958 and 1959 so its rare... but also incomplete. Hopefully someone wants it 'cause I have no use for it. Thanks for all the help!
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