A friend gave me a good deal on this 1939 Zenith bakelite 6D-311 with the original box and instruction sheet. I bought it only by a photo and thought it was a brown model. When I got it I saw that it was a white painted model that someone stripped, yet left the white interior and original back. As expected, the bakelite color was black. I decided to repaint the set ivory. It had been completely recapped and plays like new. The chassis is like new too. I can only assume that the original paint on the top of the set was really bad and someone just decided to have an ebony model. I have the 6D-315 "Wavemagnet" with the rear gold extension, in brown bakelite, so this is a nice addition. These are Zenith's first bakelite sets and a very good example of streamline-modern design.

It looks nice.

I tend to strip Bakelite before a repaint, and often I find the Bakelite below the original paint looks better than most surviving factory non-painted examples and opt not to repaint.

Thank you. Yes, it actually looked very nice in ebony bakelite. Since I was absolutely sure it was once ivory, I wanted it as original. I have a brown model so I thought would be a nice addition. You really can't beat unpainted plastic set. Paint chips, discolors, and wears!

I'm seeing a theme with you... It seems you like radios from 1939, seeing as most of the radios in your collection are from 1939. :scratch2:

I'm seeing a theme with you... It seems you like radios from 1939, seeing as most of the radios in your collection are from 1939. :scratch2:
For years I've bought what comes my way. Very few times have I searched for a particular set. The trend lately is radios from '39 and with their original boxes. Those are from a specific collector I know. Another example is that I've gotten 3 DeWald radios in the past few months! It all simply coincidence.