163 Columbia Vivatonal

[vansteem78]

I've never seen one in person so when it became available I said put my name on it. Funny how it looked pristine inside yet I found lots of things to do to clean and make better. Always work to be found even if the mechanics are fine. Now I really wanted to show you the results of using mink oil on the outside. I am satisfied and it is easier then things I've don in the past with black leather dye. Now to so the rest of the outside case!

[vansteem78]

Since taking these photos I have cleaned up the metal 'feet' of all that rust and did the other half of the bottom with the mink oil.

[barnettrp21122]

Nice job so far!
I think you'll enjoy this machine. It has a nearly silent motor!
Please post your final results!
Bob

[VanEpsFan1914]

Good start to a restoration, and beautiful results!

Lots nicer than the leatherette on my 2-65. That stuff flaked and shredded and now it's recovering from a DIY recovering.

Got to say Columbia really outdid themselves with both Vivatonal Grafonolas and Records.

Careful, though, with that mink oil. It has a tendency to go rank and cause more trouble long-term. If I were you I would use boot grease as sold by White's or Nick's Boots. Dad fights wildfires wearing that on his boots and gets around ten or more years out of 'em.

Either way, though, it's awesome!

[AZ*]

Very nice.

I bought my 163 in 1968, and it was the second or third machine I acquired. I still have it. I paid three dollars for it all those years ago. It was in very nice condition, but was unfortunately damaged in a house fire about 25 years ago. I cleaned it up, and it is presentable again.

I saw one in a 1930's movie a few weeks ago, but I can't remember the name of the movie.

The 163 is a BEAST -- very heavy.

Enjoy!

[epigramophone]

The 163 appeared in the 1929 UK Columbia catalogue as the Model 113a, but a British built double spring motor was fitted.

The design was further modified with a Plano-Reflex tonearm as the Model 220 for overseas markets. Available in brown or dark blue, it was never catalogued in the UK.

Here is a picture of my 113a and my 220. Yes at over 12kg each they are very heavy, almost twice the weight of an HMV102.

The sharp eyed among you may notice that the locks on the 220 are upside down. They have been refitted correctly since the photo was taken.

[Teak]

The 163 appeared in the 1929 UK Columbia catalogue as the Model 113a, but a British built double spring motor was fitted.

The (later) british 113a seemed to be infact a rebrand (+different tonearm) of the already double sprung american 175 (same Garrard 11A), whereas the 163 seemed to be the single sprung model.

below the Columbia Viva-Tonal 175.