I was replacing my cowl vent seal today and the weather outside was nice, so it was easy to decide on doing some of the work I've been putting off for some time. My 41 hadn't had a radio installed, and I hated looking at the empty hole. When I bought my car, it came with a ton of parts including three radios. In my discussions with the original owner, he noted that he thought none of them worked and two of them were clearly used for parts at some time. The third appeared complete and the knobs and push buttons were in great shape, so I thought I would install it just to fill the hole. After struggling with it for only a short time it was mechanically installed and I thought, why not see if it would power up so I connected the original 6 volt (everything is still 6 volts) line and the antennae lead, I turned on the ignition switch and the radio hummed and did nothing for a while (in retrospect, the tubes were warming up). I rotated the tuning knob and holy mackerel, it began playing country music from an AM station about 20 miles from my home.
I was literally shocked that it worked since the back was off of it when I got it. I re-installed it but thought someone had taken it apart because it didn't work. it was dusty and showed no evidence of being cannibalized for parts inside and it was clearly very original. At any rate, I have to admit, I sat in the driver seat laughing and then jamming with the music for some time. What a joy I feel when I bring this old car back to completely operational.
Side note: when I did my morning devotionals, the scripture verse was Psalm 100:1-2. In my modern English version it says, "Our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with songs of joy." And that's just the way it was when the radio worked and as I drive this old relic. God is good!