This impressive ABC TN-603 was manufactured in Japan circa 1959. Who manufactured it is a bit of a mystery but it may have been Toshiba… It features a luscious, ultra thick under-painted tuning dial colored jet black and rich natural gold. WOW! The tuning dial appears to have been inspired by the speedometer of some classic sports car of the 1950’s. Apart from having a very thick under-painted section this radio is also unusual in that it has a layer of clear plastic beneath the speaker grill that also runs across the bottom and sides connecting the back and front halves. So much beautiful plastic!! Mmmmmm plastic….. It has a nice little ‘Atomic Age’ badge too.
This TN-603 is more commonly seen under the brand name ‘Daylight’ with the same model number. Recently I came across a variant branded as ‘Esquire’ with the model number 6TP-205. I have also seen this radio branded as ‘Valiant’ and ‘New Apollo’. It shares the same cabinet as the Harpers P65 and the Crest VI with cosmetic variations.
Fellow collector Rick recently informed me that he has an ABC TN-603 with a mint green under-painted face and a black back – impressive!
These ABC’s are smaller than a standard shirt pocket size radio at only 3.7”H (95mm H). They taper slightly from top to bottom and feel weighty and well made.
A common problem with these radios is the loss of the small cloisonne badge on the front, due to the glue degrading over time. The majority are unfortunately missing this badge.
I can picture this handsome radio pausing under a street lamp at night, ghostly fog swirling about him in a strange dance. He’s wearing a Dick Tracy Fedora, black leather trench coat, thick gold cuff links and Crockett and Jones loafers. He closes his eyes and inhales deeply; he can smell her exotic perfume mingled with the scent of the metropolis…. He pulls his collar tightly around his neck to ward off the midnight chill and waits for her to appear before him, a blushing red Toshiba Lace. He tips his hat and melts her with his smile before disappearing into the mist…
This ABC TN-603 came to me with its original red gift box, leather carry case, leather earphone case, earphone and an old ‘Yai’ brand dry battery, made in Japan.
This ABC uses Hitachi transistors. The model number of TN-603 can be seen stamped on the circuit board. There is a small schematic diagram inside the back cover.
