Tucker radio pushbuttons

[Klatuu]

I did a search to make sure I am not asking someting already discussed. Sorry if I am.

I recently bought a pickup load of vintage electronic stuff owned by a fellow who had a radioshop in the forties, now deceased. In it, I discovered a row of pushbuttons that had obviously been from a Tucker control head. Each button has the common red Tucker letters. The unique thing, is that the 5th button usually labled with the letter e, is missing the letter. The button is there, but no "e".

At first glance you would conclude that the letter was worn off. But looking closer, you can see that it probably never had the "e", just 3 or 4 very faint lines molded across the face of the button. You just about need need a magnifying glass to see them, at least I did. Those lines are not on the "lettered" buttons.

Okay, I'm thinking the button was replaced with a non tucker equivalent. But if you closely at the back edges of the button, you can see the dirt buildup pattern is exactly the same as the "lettered" buttons.

Does anyone have a clue to this mystery? I wonder if there were control heads put out intentionally done this way to distinguish them from units destined for the Tucker auto, like those 3000 plus from Motorola. Also I wonder if Motorola ever produced a different radio using the same button design.

I plan to post this item here or on ebay... anyone have an idea of the value? Nevertheless, I would like to understand what is going on with this letter "e" thing.

[plancor 792]

MOTOROLA DID INDEED PUT OUT THIS CONTROL HEAD WITHOUT THE PUSHBUTTONS READING T-U-C-K-E-R. IN FACT THE FIRST FEW TUCKER'S HAD THESE RADIOS INSTALLED AND SEVERAL WERE LATER CHANGED OVER TO THE TUCKER CONTROL HEAD. THIS RADIO WAS A VERY COMMON ITEM THAT WAS USED IN SEVERAL AUTOMOBILES DURING THAT TIME PERIOD. IT WAS A MOTOROLA 708D RADIO. TUCKER 1003 & 1004 FOR EXAMPLE HAD A CONTROL HEAD THAT READ 1-2-3-4-5-M.

RICHARD

[Tom]

I have looked and looked for a 708 D motorola radio I cant find pics or anything what kind of cars did these go into so I can modify my search?

Tom