Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

So I have a customer who is looking to restore a 1935 Packard "radio control head" and I need some technical information regarding the materials used for the translucent plastic radio dial inside the housing. It looks like some sort of laminate to me. Do any of you know what they used or have access to technical documents or at least be able to point me in the right direction?

Any help is much appreciated!

Attach file:

---

  radio_dial.jpeg (144.16 KB)

You might try contact La Vines-they took over Yesterday Radio-might be able to help

Quote:

Excellent suggestion.classiccarreproductions.com

Plastics of that era were not all that plentiful as far as types and some were not very stable. Just think of the prewar plastic dashes and how they stood up over time. Something made from modern plastics would be much better. As to what might have been used, Bakelite was the most common at that time. It was relatively stable, easy to mold and might be what that is although I am not sure how translucent Bakelite is. Almost all of the telephones and instead of formal classic wood cases, some "modern" art deco home radio enclosures coming into use at the time were molded from Bakelite.

I believe Packard also started using a material called Tenite in the mid to late 30s. That was a cellulose based material and might have been what the prewar dashes were made from. There is a Tenite ad showing Packard glossy light colored deluxe steering wheels and said they were made from it.