I need help fast. I purchased what was supposed to be a NOS radio head and it just arrived. I am very suspicious that it is a foreign reproduction. It is in what appears to be a new box that is stamped "Chevrolet DE LUXE" and has the number 603020 printed on it. The head also has this number stamped on it in ink and has no other markings whatsoever. Also, when I turn the dial and let it go, it returns to the bottom of the dial as though it was spring loaded. I have no way of checking it with a radio attached but this seems to be strange behavior for any dial. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated. Stuart

You are the proud owner of a mass application of a Chevrolet trick. You will find many of these NOS control heads, but no cables. On a directive from Chevrolet, these NOS heads were installed in many 1938 Chevrolets. Just the head and no other portion of the radio. The idea was that the owner would become infatuated with the head and then return to the dealer and purchase the remainder of the radio.

All at once Chevrolet realized they had flooded the market with the control heads. Quickly, a special escutcheon was rushed into production that allowed the control heads to be mounted in the 1939 dash.

So what is new?