The world was changing in the 1930s and 1940s, particularly along America's highways. In the days of the old American "Mother Roads" through the Midwest, all sorts of new businesses were springing up: motels, biker bars, petrol stations and even car garages. It was not uncommon to find a jukebox in a garage to entertain customers and pass on the sometimes exaggerated bills.
It was a golden age and these jukeboxes simply offered the best sound of any commercial music player available.
Founded at the end of Prohibition in the United States, the Rock-Ola company quickly became almost synonymous with jukeboxes, while at the same time laying down the main principles of their design. With their illuminated panels, warm woodwork and luxurious interface, these machines were impressive and instantly recognisable.
This example is a G1426, marketed under the slogan "The phonograph that sells music". These models were particularly renowned for their easy selection system. The 'line-o-selector' made selecting and playing a record simple, easy and responsive, with kinetic movement framed by a theatre curtain motif and an Art Deco-style control panel.
These 20-select machines were designed for 78rpm records, but became obsolete with the arrival of 45rpm records in the early 1950s. However, these older models are undoubtedly among the best and most distinctive in the Rock-Ola catalogue.
This example of the 1426 is in very good condition, with no cracks on the plastic parts, and the wooden panels are in excellent condition. The interior is clean and well cared for, with perfectly preserved impressions and designs. It has apparently been restored in the past, but a quick inspection shows how close it is to its original specification.
We are informed that the machine is in good working order, and nothing seems amiss inside the case.
BEFORE YOU BUY This sale is subject to Car & Classic's terms and conditions. By bidding and/or making a bid, you also agree to the following: ✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights under European consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic's returns policy applies. ✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at the auction or if your bid is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details. ✓ Buyers are responsible for delivery. Postage must be paid to the seller privately at the buyer's expense, unless other arrangements are agreed between buyer and seller. VAT is included in the deposit paid by the buyer. VAT may or may not be included in the final price of the offer or quotation, as specified in the advertisement.
If an auction vehicle doesn't sell, it may be converted into a “Make an offer” listing. This will retain all of the details of the auction listing but replace the bidding functionality with an offering system whereby potential buyers can make an offer on the vehicle. To take the hassle out of the whole process and to prevent any unnecessary squabbling we'll automatically decline anything less than 70% of the asking price so only offers that are worth considering will be accepted. Make an offer listings include a “Make an offer” button. Simply click on this and enter the amount you’d like to offer and the seller will either accept, decline or counter. Easy peasy. If you don’t have a Car & Classic account with a registered bank card you’ll be prompted to set one up at this point.
If your offer is accepted, you’ll be charged a service fee. The amount depends on the cost of the vehicle and is an additional cost on top of the offer amount. Starting from as little as £/€300, it covers the cost of our various auction and escrow services, but rest assured, we're not in the woollen eyewear business and so the exact amount is always displayed upfront before you place your bid. You will only be charged if your offer is accepted.
The service fee is a charge in addition to any accepted offer amount that varies depending on the cost of the vehicle. Starting from as little as £/€300, the exact fee is clearly displayed upfront before any offer is placed so you always know exactly how much you'll be charged. It covers the cost of our various auction and escrow services and allows us to continue to provide a secure and professional platform from which to transact safely.
If you've ever squeezed a lemon then this'll be a doddle. Firstly you'll need to be logged in to your Car & Classic account and have added a valid payment card to your profile. Once these steps have been completed you can then make an offer by clicking on the "Make an offer" button on the listing page and entering your offer amount before clicking on the “Submit Offer” button underneath.
