Looking for any info: 1977 Ford-Philco Console Hi-Fi Turntable and Radio -
PittsburghToast - 05-18-2025
Hi there! this is my first time posting. I recently picked up this Ford-Philco Console record player and radio at a yard sale. The seller didn't think it worked so I paid 25 USD. I brought it home and realized he had the mode selector on Tape, which this model does not have a tape player attached, so I have it working perfect. I'm just looking for any information on the unit. I searched the patents and saw one published in 1976 which leads me to believe this is a 1977 model. The seller's dad worked at Ford and when the father purchased a new Lincoln, this was included as a promotional item. Thank you in advanced! I also have no clue how to utilize the automatic spindle that is included which supposedly lets you load up to 6, 12in records at a time. Currently the manual play spindle is attached and even after reading the manual wasn't able to figure out how to change spindles.
Ps: I am in love with it and have no plans of trying to resell it. Just looking for maybe more info, model name and maybe a current value. Thanks!
RE: Looking for any info: 1977 Ford-Philco Console Hi-Fi Turntable and Radio -
klondike98 - 05-18-2025
Welcome to the Phorum!
We do not have anything on that unit in our digital library. There is a Sam's Photofact schematic with that chassis number available from the Sam's website.
https://samswebsite.com/en/photofact/details/index/id/114668
I think it was likely a 1971 model introduced in Autumn of 1970. I found a number of newspaper advertisements for it in October 1970. This example had a selling price of $365 (about $2640 in 2025 dollars).
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/w69m8c7qhcim4xd83yqby/Johnson_City_Press_1970_10_10_20.pdf?rlkey=tbwqdlegkjns2umjp6wvegn6b&dl=0
By October of 1973 it was selling for $229.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hqqdsymf3svxfbfg484kh/Chronicle_Tribune_1973_10_18_32.pdf?rlkey=tzwvh7lks8lprddwaniako8cf&dl=0By the time it was a give away for a car sale in 1977 it was probably on liquidation sale. I can't explain the late patent date.
RE: Looking for any info: 1977 Ford-Philco Console Hi-Fi Turntable and Radio -
GarySP - 05-18-2025
Welcome to the Phorum, PittsburghToast! I found an old thread that my interest you regarding the quality and worth of Philco-Ford equipment.
https://www.philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread.php?tid=18555
Hope this helps. Take care, - Gary
RE: Looking for any info: 1977 Ford-Philco Console Hi-Fi Turntable and Radio -
radiorich - 05-18-2025
Hello PittsburghToast ,
Welcome aboard and it looks like gary may have something for you !
now if I dig through my service data I might have something on this .
Since back in the day my show sold and did warranty work and service on Philco.
Sincerely Richard
RE: Looking for any info: 1977 Ford-Philco Console Hi-Fi Turntable and Radio -
MrFixr55 - 05-18-2025
Hi PittsburgTost.
The record changer looks like a Garrard or BSR (Likely Garrard). The spindles just pull out and push in. A spring clip holds them in place. Lift the arm that holds the records, change the spindles. Stack the records on the spindles and lower the arm over it. push the Off - On - Auto (or Reject) switch to Auto (or Reject). The first record should drop with the others remaining in place, the tone arm should raisefrom its perch, and move to the lead-in groove of the record. After playing, or if you decide to change the record by sliding the control to reject, the tone arm will lift, retract to the area of its perch and the next record will drop. The procedure repeats.
Hope this helps.