Realistic Flavoradio AM Radio
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Year: 1972
Model: 12-166
Manufacturer: Realistic
Designer: Unknown
Dimensions: 68 x 92 x 37 mm / 2.7 x 3.6 x 1.5 inch
Power: 1 X 9V
Made in: Korea (later in Hong Kong and Philippines)
Available Colors:
The Radio Shack (Realistic) Flavoradio was a production item from 1972 through 2001, a 30 year run. The original case design shown in the picture was the model 12-166 and ran through 1986. This was a 5 transistor set (12-166A had 6). The case design appears to have been inspired by the earlier Westinghouse ‘little gem’ known as the refrigerator radio. The 15 years of the original case design (1972-1986) is evidently the longest production run for any model radio ever built. What possesed Radio Shack to continue on with an AM only receiver is anybody’s guess but they redesigned the case in 1987 and again around 1995, this last time employing an integrated circuit, but still AM only. The eleven colors shown here also may have set a record for the widest color choice of any production radio.
I see only one (blue) flavoradio listed on eBay. Where did they all go?
Where, indeed. Radio Shack was a marketing powerhouse in the 70s and 80s and must have sold several hundred thousand Flavoradios from 1973 thru 2002. We should see them more often at flea markets and Ebay. I’ve scoured internet sales for 20 years now and only seen 1 all white one and one each of the two tone models with white backs.
By the way, those pictures showing all 11 colors are of my collection and appeared on the cover of the March 2008 issue of Antique Radio Classified. Such Fun.
Phil,
If you have any doubles or triples, I’d consider buying a few. Thanks.
2022 will be the 50th anniversary of the flavoradio and I will be selling duplicates on Ebay in January, 2022. Thanks.
They are all listed on Ebay now, take a look.
The vanilla and chocolate were dropped after the 1972 catalog so they are quite rare. The 2 tone with white backs never appeared in a catalog and are very rare.