Hitachi - CST-153 Stereo 8 Autoradio

Hitachi CST-153 Car Stereo 8 AM Radio – 8-Track, Slide-Out Mount


This is an original Hitachi CST-153 “Car Stereo 8” automotive radio, combining AM radio reception with an 8-Track (Stereo 8) tape player. Produced in the late 1960s to early 1970s, this model represents an important transitional era in in-car audio, when Stereo 8 was the dominant premium format before the widespread adoption of compact cassette systems.

The Hitachi CST-153 is a solid-state car radio equipped with an integrated Stereo 8 tape mechanism. It can be used either with its original slide-out mounting sled or mounted directly without it, offering flexibility typical of higher-end units from this period.

Internally, the unit is fitted with four Hitachi 2SB337 germanium transistors, consistent with late-1960s / early-1970s Japanese automotive audio engineering. The radio has been opened, professionally cleaned, tested, and confirmed to be fully functional. Tape playback and radio operation are both working correctly.

An 8-Track tape it’s included as a bonus for testing purposes, allowing immediate demonstration of correct playback.

CONDITION REPORT
• Fully functional and tested
• Cleaned internally
• AM radio working
• 8-Track (Stereo 8) playback working
• Original slide-out mounting sled included
• Can be used with or without sled
• No manufacturer label present
• Minor age-related wear on metal surfaces
• Overall very good condition for age

Vintage Stereo 8 car radios are increasingly sought after by collectors restoring period-correct vehicles from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Hitachi units are appreciated for their robust construction and high-quality components, including germanium transistor amplification. Complete, fully functional examples with the original slide-out mounting system are becoming difficult to find, especially those ready for immediate use and demonstration.

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