A few weekends ago find!

[BrianB]

A buddy of mine, Joe, called me up a few Saturdays ago to let me know that he had found something cool AND coin operated at a local yard sale. Turns out the guy had a 50's vintage Automatic Electric 3-Slot Payphone sitting amongst the other yard sale fodder! I told Joe to grab it for me if he could. He told me that he didn't have the cash on him at the time and that he'd have to drive across town to get what he needed to purchase the phone.

The guy selling the phone wouldn't budge off of his price.....He was dead-set on getting $100 for it. I've been watching Ebay for sometime now and researching other businesses that sell old phones and knew that this was a bargain at his asking price. Joe is very savvy when it comes to bargaining and I was very surprised to hear that he didn't think the guy would come off of the price a bit. In fact the guy even mentioned that he wasn't sure he should be selling it that low to begin with! Joe didn't want to let the fella think he was to interested so he left him alone with hopes that the phone would still be there when he got back.......And it was! 

I am in the process of restoring the phone at this time. I wired it up to see if it works and it does and cosmetically it will get repainted gloss black, have the reciever replaced and the dial shroud and dial face replaced. After all is said and done with this restoration, I'll still be getting a great deal!

[MoonDawg]

     So, just what would be the market price of this stlye phone?
I'm sure I have seen a reproducion of this as well for around $100.

[davethebirdman]

Hi Brian

I have one of those but the all chrome version. (Got it two years ago on holiday and paid lots more than you, can't remember exactly how much)

Where are you getting your parts from. I could do with a new vault door but have been quoted lots and also the paper bit that sits in the middle of the dial and has the phone number on it...

Here's hoping you have many happy conversations on your new find..

Dave

[Kilroy]

Restored I've seen them go anyware from $250 -$400, depending on the model or  the "you're nuts" level of the seller.   I think i paid almost $200 for my Western Electric, then another $150   to replace the hanset and handset cord with the correct tpye, and repairs to the coin mech.  It's fun watching the the 20  something year old neices and nephews  be amazed at a rotary dial It also makes me feel old  when I realize they have never seen a rotary dial phone of any kind  other than in old photos or movies.  

Most of the repro's I've seen use touch tone push buttons on the dial face, it's practical, but takes away from the cool factor.  Much like the LCD display on the Wurlitzer Vendo44.

Nice score Brian. Most of the parts can be easily found on Ebay., or search the earlier discussions here,  I remember Eric and myself  discussing sources for telephone parts. I use Coinco for most of my parts, i can get the info when I get home

 BTW, the phone would look really, really good in a 1950's phone booth

[MCarter]

Brian,

I have a Wooden phone booth for sale if you are interested.

[BrianB]

Dave,

I will be getting my parts from www.phonecoinc.com They are very reasonable and very knowledgable.

What make/model phone do you have? I know that a vault door for a Western Electric/Northern Electric with lock and key goes for about $56.00 (Old Stock) and a vault door and lock & key for an Automatic Electric goes for $68.00 Direction cards start out at $1.00.

Let me know if you need any help with anything!

[sodaworks]

I have this same phone in all chrome. I bought it in Las Vegas and was told that it came out of a casino. Hmmm....I wonder if Elvis ever used this thing? Anyways I had the inards replaced with all the modern stuff @ "Hello Central" here in Ca. The phone works great and is used all the time in our livingroom. It's great to see the looks we get from our kids friends when they ask to use the phone and we point to this one. They have no idea what to do with it.

[MoonDawg]

It's great to see the looks we get from our kids friends when they ask to use the phone and we point to this one. They have no idea what to do with it.

     Do you make them deposit a coin first?    LOL

[davethebirdman]

Hi Brian

thanks for the site.... I have a LPB - 86- 55
which looks exactly the same as your but in chrome.

Dave

[BrianB]

Dave,

No problem. My phone looks like it had the lower portion (coin vault) replaced at some point with a chrome one and then it was repainted biege during a factory refurb. Is your phone hooked up and working?

[Sodak Bob]

I also have a three slot Western Electric in black and chrome - wired and functional.  I dealt with Dave Johnson at OldtimePhones for help.  He was great...

[sodaworks]

     Do you make them deposit a coin first?    LOL

A couple of years ago I did open up the coin door and was surprised to find a few bucks in change.

[davethebirdman]

Brian

Mine does work... In the US it worked fine.. It must have been converted. I have it working here in England the only problem is the transmission is very low. Recieving is fine. Must get round to sorting it out. Now I have that site I might give them a ring and see what they say. It sits by my desk in my little hideaway..

Dave

[jleeper]

I have a black-n-chrome and a biege-n-chrome of similar years.   Usual price of one in good working order runs $350+ last time I checked.   I used to buy from Phoneco a LONG time ago, and actually use to buy and re-sell for awhile when their phones were much more affordable.    Good deal at $100.