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History of the manufacturer  

Ferris Bros. Pty Ltd.; Sydney

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Name: Ferris Bros. Pty Ltd.; Sydney    (AUS)  
Abbreviation: ferris
Products: Model types Others
Summary:

Ferris Bros. Pty Ltd., Cnr. William and Dowling Str., Sydney.
Manufacturer of car and portable radios.

Founded: 1934
Production: 1934 -
History:
[In 1932 William Malcolm Ferris (nick name "Chum", *1914, +2007)) started manufacturing hand-assembled mantel and console home radio receivers "one by one"]
In 1934 the elder brother of William, George Ferris, joined him to establish the "Ferris Bros. Pty Ltd.", since about 1937/38 mainly for development and manufacturing of car radios.
During WW2 the Ferris brothers diversified into manufacturing gas-producing units to provide alternative fuel for cars.
After end of WW2 the production of car radios started again. Later additional products was TV receivers, antennas, laboratory equipment, and even boat trailers, golf buggies and model trains.
Another remarcable product was a fully rotating antenna system which could receive TV signals from any position on a boat.
In the 50ies and early 60ies the company employed up to 700 workers.
In 1960 Ferris "Gutter Grip" car radio antenna was patented in Australia (#242531) and New Zealand (#128497).
In 1970 Ferris sold his business to the "Hawker Siddeley" group.

In 1998 "Chum" Ferris donated a vast amount of advertising material, journals and a large collection of radios (spanning more than 30 years of production) to the "Powerhouse Museum" in Sydney.

This manufacturer was suggested by Wolfgang Scheida.


Some models:
Country Year Name 1st Tube Notes
AUS  50–52 86 [6 volt.] 6BA6  Models: 86 and 87. (RADIO ELECTRICAL WEEKLY 26/1/51) Features: Compact 7V 6v or 12v ... 
AUS  50–52 87 [6 volt.] 6BA6  This set was advertised as being a compact radio being suitable for small English cars. T... 
AUS  53 Portable Car Radio 94 M94 6BH5  Early Portable Car Radio. This model mounts in a cradle under the dash board when used as ... 
AUS  50–52 86 [12 volt.] 6BA6  Models: 86 and 87. (RADIO ELECTRICAL WEEKLY 26/1/51) Features: Compact 7V 6v or 12v ... 
AUS  50 87 [12 volt.] 6BA6  This set was advertised as being a compact radio being suitable for small English cars. T... 
AUS  45–48 74 6SK7GT  Autoradio, detachable for mains operation. Vibrator for +B in car battery supply mode. 
AUS  63/64 9 Transistor De-Luxe Portable 204 (M204) [12 volt] 2N1637  Ferris 204, 9 Transistor De-Luxe Portable Car Radio; The case is made of chrome plated die... 
AUS  67 De-Luxe Portable Car Radio 284 2N1637  Ferris 284, 9 Transistor Deluxe Push Button Portable Car Radio; This radio was desi... 
AUS  66/67 Deluxe Portable Car Radio M254 (254) 2N1637  Ferris 254, 9 Transistor Deluxe Push Button Portable Car Radio; The price below is for the... 
AUS  62–64 Portable Car Radio M184 (184) 2N1637  Ferris 184, 8 Transistor Portable Car Radio; This radio was sold with an optional u... 
AUS  66 Portable Car Radio 727 2N1639  Ferris 727, Portable Car Radio; This model could be connected to a car aerial and separ... 
AUS  65/66 Cadet Portable Car Radio 234 2N1639  Ferris 234, 7 Transistor Portable Car Radio; This radio had provision for connecting to... 

[rmxhdet-en]

Further details for this manufacturer by the members (rmfiorg):

From the “Western Mail”,(WA), October 2, 1947.tbn_aus_ferris_1947.jpg
From the “Western Mail”,(WA), August 19, 1948tbn_aus_ferris_1948.jpg
From Manufacturers litraturetbn_aus_ferris_logo.jpg
Manufacturers litraturetbn_aus_ferris_dash_views.jpg
Advert from 1970.tbn_aus_ferris_ad_1970.jpg
Ferris Red Rattler, model train carriage c. 1950tbn_ferris_red_rattler_train_carriage_1950.jpg

  

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