Radialva - Arpège Transistor radio

Radialva Arpège Trianon – rare portable French transistor radio, 1967

Elegant and original Radialva Arpège Trianon, a French portable radio from 1967, belonging to the special Arpège series produced by Véchambre Frères / Radialva.

A device with great collecting charm, characterized by a very original design: the case opens like a case/briefcase and the large speaker is integrated into the lid, protected by a fine metal grille. The front panel features the station scale, tuning controls, and the original signal indicator.

The model uses a 6-transistor superheterodyne circuit, with reception of the PO and GO bands (medium wave and long wave), internal ferrite antenna, and band selection via pushbuttons. The original power supply is provided by two 4.5 V batteries.

The exemplar presented here is particularly aesthetically pleasing, with the characteristic fabric/synthetic leather finish of the case and the refined internal paneling with chrome elements. The speaker grille, the scale, and the visible components give the device a very distinctive look, typical of French production from the late 1960s.

Condition: a beautiful collectible specimen, in original, unrestored condition. Notable aesthetic presence and well preserved for its age.

A short functional test was also performed using two batteries of the intended format, temporarily borrowed. The radio powers on normally and, during the tuning rotation, the frequency variation can be felt. However, it was not possible to verify reception of a station, as the test was conducted in a position unfavorable to AM reception.

A truly pleasant exemplar in aesthetically very interesting condition for its age.