Retro or Classic?

[Paisley]

I think of "classic" as timeless, "vintage" as old but beloved, and "retro" as paying tribute to another era.

A '65 Mustang is classic. So are most Mercedes.
A '57 Chevy is vintage.
The PT Cruiser is retro.

"The Devil and Daniel Webster" is classic.
"Duck Soup" is vintage.
"Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid" is retro.

The A-line skirt is classic.
A hoop skirt (one made long ago) is vintage.
A new long skirt with lace and beading is probably retro.

 

[CharlieH.]

To me it's like this-

Retro (Modern made in vintage style without hiding it's modern origins):

(darn photobucket!)

Classic (Made in the day, and usually with an enduring appeal):

 

[Wild Root]

We all have different opinions on what “Classic” is or what “Retro” is… but, we are all on the same page more or less.

This topic is interesting… I’m not classic or retro if you ask me, I’m 1930’s or 1940’s. I’m a living historian and into living as a person did in the pre-war, to early post-war years.

In the words of Popeye:

I yam what I yam!

=WR=

 

[FedoraGent]

We all have different opinions on what “Classic” is or what “Retro” is… but, we are all on the same page more or less.

This topic is interesting… I’m not classic or retro if you ask me, I’m 1930’s or 1940’s. I’m a living historian and into living as a person did in the pre-war, to early post-war years.

In the words of Popeye:

I yam what I yam!

=WR=

Root, Well said...

 

[Sefton]

Just about everytime something comes along that's called 'retro' it turns out to be a disappointment. Never quite as good, always something not right. Either they get the design wrong or it falls down on cheap materials and shoddy construction. When I hear 'retro' I don't expect much. I agree with Senator Jack, the term just bugs me.

 

[The Wolf]

I think I'm answering this right. (where's the predicate?)

I own some retro stuff, including the radio/cassette player that Root showed, but I prefer vintage.
When all is said and done I do like modern items made to look as vintage as possible unlike the PT Cruiser or Philco radio. I don't feel as bad when I destroy a modern reproduction versus an antique.
I also appreciate people making vintage style objects, cartoons, etc. as an homage.

Sincerely,
The Wolf

 

[Naama]

Naama

 

[Absinthe_1900]

I suppose it was only a matter of time until someone started to make new "retro tube radios".lol http://www.ebay.com.my/viItem?ItemId=160006574620

I guess if you are living in the one spot on earth where you can't find an original tube radio.......:eusa_doh:

 

[Cousin Hepcat]

I suppose it was only a matter of time until someone started to make new "retro tube radios".lol http://www.ebay.com.my/viItem?ItemId=160006574620

I guess if you are living in the one spot on earth where you can't find an original tube radio.......:eusa_doh:

Or, if you're in the one spot where you can't find an original 50s suitcase changer portable...

They've already got the cheaply made half-sized repro CD jukeboxes (not the high-quality fullsize commercial repros), and the repro changer turntables... I'm just waiting (with disdain, my friend) to see what hideous price they'll affix when they finally do combine the two lol

Now, the 1980s series of reproduction bakelite radios, THOSE were nice, got a couple around the house mixed with real vintage to pickup swing AM rebroadcasts... "classic", and have good full sound.

Swing High,
- Cousin Hepcat

 

[Absinthe_1900]

I'm surprised they never molded those repro FADA's in a translucent plastic to imitate catalin.

 

[Cousin Hepcat]

I'm surprised they never molded those repro FADA's in a translucent plastic to imitate catalin.

Now That would've been a great idea.

 

[Wild Root]

I wonder how hard it would be to make Catalin again... what went into Catalin and why isn't it being made? Some one could make a mint if they started to make real Catalin again... the stuff is beautiful and they would make a bundle if they copied original Catalin radios but, added a few "Hidden" things like a CD player or better yet, make it an XM radio! Then, you could listen to old radio shows and vintage music.

Now, I'm really impressed that some one made an am/fm tube radio! Even though it's over $1000.00 Malaysian (or what ever they call their currency) it's really cool to see one made and, that it's in a nice wood cabinet! I would have copied a 1930's Tombstone my self but, that's a nice place to start!

=WR=

 

[jake_fink]

Now, I'm really impressed that some one made an am/fm tube radio! Even though it's over $1000.00 Malaysian (or what ever they call their currency) it's really cool to see one made and, that it's in a nice wood cabinet! I would have copied a 1930's Tombstone my self but, that's a nice place to start!

=WR=

I like it too. I think it's about $300. I'm going to keep my eye peeled.

 

[Absinthe_1900]

Unfortunatly catalin looks nice, but it isn't a very stable medium since it shrinks with age. (As many antique radio collectors find out)

http://www.maarc.org/catalin corner/catalin_corner.htm

The repro tube radios are going for about $245.00 U.S.D. and are all over that popular internet auction site. (And it does have a green tuning eye )....it's not really all that bad if the radio is decent. (I haven't heard one yet, so I'm not running out to "take one for the team" at this point.)

Yes, a nice tombstone with a big black dial would be cool. (Can Walton's knock off be too far behind?)

 

[Cousin Hepcat]

I wonder how hard it would be to make Catalin again... what went into Catalin and why isn't it being made?

I either read someone's blog or was talking to one of several collector friends who was talking about some guy he knew who was obsessed with making Catalin radios again. He got the whole formula for the Secret Sauce, and went to work in his basement. Many headaches and a few Explosions later (the process is VOLATILE), all he had to show was a sad very small misshapen red "demo".

No doubt would be better to use modern marbelized clear-and-opaque plastics. OK Root, something to do with all that time off from being a lounge mod... now take the ball and run with it, we'll wait here! lol

Swing High,
- Cousin Hepcat

 

[Absinthe_1900]

I've heard that working with Phenolics can be pretty nasty business.

I did several years as a professional model maker in the engineering biz, and I'm glad I don't do casting anymore.

 

[Wild Root]

Yes, Catalin doesn’t age very well. Most collectors of Catalin radios don’t even use them in fear the heat from the tubes will shrink their $3000.+ radio!

I feel if they took the formula of Catalin and enhanced it some to eliminate the shrinking nature of the plastic, they could make not only reproduction copies of 30’s and 40’s radios but, make new radios and maybe even TV’s out of this beautiful colorful swirled marble plastic. I’d buy a streamlined Catalin TV!

Now, what I’d love to see is a very good copy of the Spartan “Nocturne” blue mirrored glass faced radio… you radio guys know which one I speak of! There are copies of the “Blue Bird” but, some how they don’t look exactly right.

That table top tube radio is really cool! $245. isn’t that bad really… it looks really cool! The question is can you use it in the US? They look really cool!

=WR=

 

[Absinthe_1900]

A repro Nocturne would be nice, especially if they get the right tone for the cobalt mirror. (I have three cobalt mirrored topped tables from the late 30's)

A nice Nocturne!

http://www.primeaumusic.com/featured_items/SPARTON NOCTURNE.htm

Now if they took this new tube repro and did a nice "Bluebird", or "Sled" replica, that would be really nice. (With that really intense cobalt blue mirror like the old days)

 

[Matt Deckard]

So Retro is repro vintagy with a flair while classic is it's original self with staying power?

I think classic can be repro as well as stated above... so is Retro a bit of a kitch classic?

 

[Twitch]

I think that sums it up. Since time passes on you could classify a thing that was made as a retro copy or "feel" of an original classic "something" as vintage once it is old. IE., The PT Cruiser will one day be a vintage automobile and perhaps a classic viewed relatively from a future date.