[Arran]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZENITH-12-S-232-...3f18954893

Are they really THIS sought after? Look at the bidding frenzy....and it is not even restored .

I think that there may be a little auction fever (or shill bidding) going on with this particular example given the condition, but yes they do tend to fetch prices completely out of touch with what they should be. These sets tend to have a cult following because there wasn an example featured prominently in a 1970s TV show called the Waltons. In reality a set like the Philco 38-665 was a better performer, and better looking too in my opinion.
Regards
Arran