Vintage Packard Bell AR - 851 AM Transistor Radio Gilligan ' S Island Aiwa Antenna
Item History & Price
Here we have the exact model radio used on the classic TV show Gilligan’s Island, the Packard Bell AR-851.
The radio works but the volume output is very low (maximum volume is still very quiet). It needs servicing. But the tuner works and the power/volume switch/knob work. The battery door is present and intact with the “lock” working, though difficult to turn. I will barely lock it in place to make it easier to open. It appears a fresh piece of foam is needed to ...hold the batteries in place better. The radio runs on 4 D batteries (not coconuts, neither are included). The exterior has some scratches and an odd blemish on the bottom where it looks like something was glued but despite these flaws it presents extremely well.
It has been modified exactly as the one on the show was (minus the coconuts again), replacing the original handle with a smaller one and adding an extendable telescoping antenna. Ironically the latter is unnecessary for AM reception!. The handle is a dead ringer for the one on the show. I mean it is exact. The antenna is very, very close but admittedly not perfect—the one in the still I looked at had a more spherical tip and a slightly more conical base. But this is only noticeable if you’re comparing photos. In any other circumstance, it’s a dead ringer too. To prevent breakage, I will uninstall the antenna prior to shipping. Reinstalling is easy, only requiring the removal of 4 Philips screws to open the unit and then a wrench or pliers to tighten the nut on the antenna.
The radio is often referred to like a character on the show. Don’t miss this opportunity to own a piece of television history!
The radio works but the volume output is very low (maximum volume is still very quiet). It needs servicing. But the tuner works and the power/volume switch/knob work. The battery door is present and intact with the “lock” working, though difficult to turn. I will barely lock it in place to make it easier to open. It appears a fresh piece of foam is needed to ...hold the batteries in place better. The radio runs on 4 D batteries (not coconuts, neither are included). The exterior has some scratches and an odd blemish on the bottom where it looks like something was glued but despite these flaws it presents extremely well.
It has been modified exactly as the one on the show was (minus the coconuts again), replacing the original handle with a smaller one and adding an extendable telescoping antenna. Ironically the latter is unnecessary for AM reception!. The handle is a dead ringer for the one on the show. I mean it is exact. The antenna is very, very close but admittedly not perfect—the one in the still I looked at had a more spherical tip and a slightly more conical base. But this is only noticeable if you’re comparing photos. In any other circumstance, it’s a dead ringer too. To prevent breakage, I will uninstall the antenna prior to shipping. Reinstalling is easy, only requiring the removal of 4 Philips screws to open the unit and then a wrench or pliers to tighten the nut on the antenna.
The radio is often referred to like a character on the show. Don’t miss this opportunity to own a piece of television history!
