Radio
The Radio Page is a good starting point for lots of info on the radios Crosley used in his cars. Powel sold out the car radio division to a company that would become Delco before he started making cars is why Crosleys don't have Crosley radios.
Jim_Bollman 9/19/00
The chrome nosed radio is the more traditional dash radio in the prewar Crosley. One
that looks a bit like yours Dan, was used starting in early 1950,
made by Philco. Not sure if it replaced the Motorola completely or
just filled a gap in shipments.
Motorola Car Radio Connections
crosleyss 10/4/00
Anyone know about the hook up on a Motorola Crosley car
radio. It appears as though the antenna hooksup on the top above
the on/off knob, then on the side are connection ports for BAT,
GND, VC, and SFLD. I assume the BAT is battery lead, does anyone
know on the positive ground system, this would be positive from
your battery right? Then the GND, or ground would actually be the
positive from the battery. I then assume the VC is for voice coil
or speaker connection. What is the SFLD? Any help on the
connections? I don't want to burn out my radio.
chuckhk1941 10/5/00
Battery goes into car + ground---the wire going to the
battery will be the HOT wire,(-)side of battery.
Correct Hook-Up for Radio
RichH – Fall 2010
I'm looking for some help on the correct hook-up for a Motorola CY8 radio. The terminals are marked BAT, GND, VC and SFLD. On my radio, the SFLD spot is just a hole with no connector. I'm assuming the BAT and GND are for the power but don't know how the speaker is connected. I looked at the diagram on the club site but couldn't find the speaker, so that didn't help much. Could someone please provide the correct hookup for everything related to the radio?
LarryT – Fall 2010
"VC" is voice coil."GND" is for the speaker ONLY. Use these two to the speaker. Power ground is through the frame of radio. DO NOT USE "GND" FOR THE POWER AS THE WIRE INSIDE IS TOO SMALL
JimB – Fall 2010
I think you got all your answers but SFLD. My guess it is a left over from another application that the case was used for and stands for Speaker Field. Some older speakers had electro magnets instead of permanent magnets and had to be energized. Remember 6 Volt positive ground.
Crosley/Motorola Radio
wavy48_99 10/3/99
Recently purchased a radio which has a Crosley face plate
but has Motorola stamped in case of radio itself. can anyone help
me . Is this a after market? Also would this be a positive grd
radio?
Jim_Bollman 10/4/99
The large majority of radios
for the postwar Crosley were Motorola. They have a chrome nose
that sticks through the dash. Philcos were also
sold for a while. The prewar Crosleys used a real
Crosley radio but are very rare. I have only seen a couple in over 50 year
They look a lot like the fairly common Romeo but actually
fit through the dash on the drivers side. Powel Crosley sold out
his radio division in the early 40s to devote all his energy to
cars so could not use his on radios and Avco that bought out the
radio and appliance business didn't make car radios. I read
somewhere that Crosley sold out his car radio business even
earlier to what then was a little start up company, called Delco.
wavy48_99 10/10/99
Thank you all for the info on my radio, now I have some
questions. All my tubes light but I don't receive any sound,
First, is the VC for the speaker? In my 56 Chevy when I turn on
the radio the vibrator hums right away. my Crosley radio will not
hum. I removed the vibrator and when I shake it something rattles,
I don't believe that is supposed to happen. Any ideas?, any parts?
bancroftr35 10/11/99
It very likely is the power supply that is bad..the
vibrator and filters go first...there is replacement solid state
supplies to get rid of the vibrator....when you shake it you are
hearing the reed move, that doesn't mean anything
BUGGER5913 10/11/99
Wavy, mine doesn't rattle, nor does it hum, you may not
be able to find a replacement. However I think a radio restoration
shop or an electronics shop can retro fit your old vib with solid
state components, this is the route I'm going to take with mine, I
have not gotten around to it yet. You can find radio restorers on
the web at Hemmings Motor News web site.
What Other Similar Radios Did Motorola Make?
fwitham 9/24/01
Does anyone know if Motorola used the same
radio frame and changed the front for a Crosley radio? I have a
chrome front but no radio to go with it. Any help would be great!
thanks in advance. Yes I am talking Crosley auto!
Jim_Bollman 9/24/01
Yes, Motorola did make the same radio with different
noses. The other radios are nearly as hard to find as the Crosley
version. I think one was a Hudson but I'm not positive.
wally_48329
Hudson used the same radio frame and they are very hard
to find also. if you want to get all the info.
Positive Ground
wavy48_99 9/17/00
My 48 P/U was changed to neg ground when I bought it. My
wiring diagram shows positive ground. I want to install an
original radio in this fine truck, I am guessing this radio is
positive ground ? Someone please point me in the right direction.
Jim_Bollman 9/17/00
If your truck is still 6 volt, change it back, to
positive ground or do you have other electronics installed. The
Motorola radio is positive ground. If you switch back you will
have to switch the wires on your Amp Gauge and repolarize the
regulator.
Zenith Radio
kwlstuf 10/7/99
Crosley had a contract with Zenith to make in-dash radios
for Crosley automobiles also. I believe these were before the
Motorola radios. I have one and it has the same chrome bezel with
the Crosley name as the Motorola. It has one less tube than the
Motorola but mine plays great! The case is boxier and less deep
than the Motorola and they were originally painted black instead
of maroon. I've been told it dates to about 1947.
Speaker Grill Color
BKW – Winter 2008
What color is the speak grille supposed to be on a 47?
JimB – Winter 2008
Seems like most of the, sort of original looking, ones I have come across were painted silver. Not sure that is stock.
FW – Winter 2008
That is what mine is on my 48, but who said that is right!!!
ServiceMotors – Winter 2008
All of the one that we have here (that appear to be original) are silver also.
More Info on the Main Radio
Page.