The Official Vintage Curtis Mathes site by Glenn Waters
The Official Vintage Curtis Mathes site by Glenn Waters
Curtis Mathes, Vintage Electronics, Televisions, Stereos, Radios, VCRs, Multiplexes, Speakers, Eight Track Players, Cassette Tape Decks, Reel to Reel Players, Wall to Wall Entertainment Centers, Curtis Mathes LPs, Camcorders, Mathes Coolers and Fans, Made in the USA. Design
Welcome to the Curtis Mathes Vintage Site by Glenn Waters, here we cover every aspect of the early days and the golden era of Curtis Mathes. From the early days of the Mathes Cooler Fans the the start of the Curtis Mathes Electronics Company. We cover every aspect from the first Curtis Mathes televisions to the last television to come off the assembly line in Athens Texas. Curtis Mathes Advertisements, Curtis Mathes Stereos, Curtis Mathes wall to wall complete Entertainment Centers, Curtis Mathes VCR Players and recorders, Curtis Mathes Camcorder, Curtis Mathes LPs and Records, Curtis Mathes Reel to Reel, Console Television Combos, Curtis Mathes Cassette Players, there is so much more, the list of electronics is amazing. Today Curtis Mathes today stands as a reminder of an era when televisions were crafted as enduring centerpieces of the living room, combining reliable performance, thoughtful engineering, and sophisticated design into a single statement of American craftsmanship. Curtis Mathes will always be remembered as one of America's most respected names in premium home entertainment. In the 1980s The Curtis Mathes - Las Colinas Design Group, led by visionary designer Glenn Waters, earned acclaim for merging architectural proportion with technological precision. Their design philosophy emphasized harmony between form and function, ensuring every Curtis Mathes console served not simply as an electronic device, but as a centerpiece of gracious living.
In the photo above is the Curtis Mathes Model B635S, What we would call a pocket battleship smaller than the bigger and bold Curtis Mathes Model B635R — but like the larger Castilian Masterwork Edition she is amazing.
The Model B635S stands as one of Curtis Mathes’ most distinguished console designs, merging advanced entertainment engineering with the architectural richness of Spanish furniture traditions. This Castilian interpretation combines the hand‑rubbed maple Early American version with the rich‑oak Spanish variant, resulting in a console that feels both regal and deeply rooted in heritage.
Combined Features & Engineering Excellence
Techna 530 Television — 25‑inch color display with Electronic Selective Sensor Tuning, Instant Touch Tuning, and Automatic Brightness Control
Negative Guard Band Black Matrix Tube — tinted phosphors for deeper contrast and richer color
Eight‑Track Tape Deck — full record capability
Stereo Receiver — 5 watts per channel, 20 Hz–20 kHz into 8 ohms at ≤1% THD
Belt‑Drive Turntable — magnetic cartridge for warm, natural playback
Air‑Suspension Speaker System — two 8" woofers, two exponential horns, two 2½" tweeters
Spanish Cabinetry & Castilian Craft
Rich oak finish with deep brown undertones
Hexed split turnings on the corner posts — bold, architectural, unmistakably Spanish
Carved speaker grilles with pleated fabric backing
Heavy, ornate drawer pulls inspired by Castilian ironwork
A presence suited for rooms with dark ceiling beams, stucco walls, tapestry accents, and lantern‑style lighting
This edition feels at home in a room where tradition, craftsmanship, and drama meet — a perfect stage for the sepia bullfighter painting you’ve chosen.
Glenn Waters & the Las Colinas Design Group — Masters of Regional Elegance
The Las Colinas Design Group, led by Glenn Waters, earned national acclaim for their ability to merge regional architectural styles with high‑fidelity electronics. Their work on the B635R line showcased:
Architectural authenticity — Early American, Colonial, and Spanish motifs executed with museum‑grade precision
Furniture‑grade engineering — consoles built as heirloom pieces
Integrated domestic technology — seamless blending of audio, video, and cabinetry
Award‑winning craftsmanship — praised for proportion, usability, and aesthetic harmony
The Spanish interpretation of the B635S reflects a deep respect for Iberian artistry — carved wood, bold geometry, and warm earth‑tone finishes — all while preserving the technical excellence Curtis Mathes was known for. #curtismathes #wastefulpeople #throwawaysociety #curtismathestv #vintagetv #glennwaters #curtismathesconsole #curtismathesmodelb635s #glennwatersdesigner
The Curtis Mathes Color Television Console Model H2508ME
Curtis Mathes Color Television Console Model H2508ME • Chassis C85-1
#CurtisMathes #CurtisMathesH2508ME #VintageTelevision #LostInSpace #ColorTelevision #TelevisionRestoration #ClassicTV #RetroElectronics #C85-1Chassis
The photo above is of the Curtis Mathes Color Television Console Model H2508ME
Curtis Mathes Color Television Console Model H2508ME • Chassis C85-1
Pulled this beauty out of what I call the "shed of death." A massive mouse nest filled the back of the cabinet, but amazingly the wiring was untouched. The sound came to life almost immediately. The picture tube took its time, first showing a faint flicker of green, then red, and finally, as if by magic, all the colors returned.
This Curtis Mathes H2508ME, powered by the C85-1 chassis, now delivers bright color, strong contrast, and excellent sound through its side-mounted speaker system. To celebrate its return to service, I fired up one of my favorite color broadcasts, Lost in Space, "The Mechanical Men," originally aired April 5, 1967. These classic color episodes are perfect for testing a vintage color console and showing off what these old sets can still do nearly sixty years later.
A true survivor, and proof that sometimes the old ones just need another chance.
#CurtisMathes #CurtisMathesH2508ME #VintageTelevision #LostInSpace #ColorTelevision #TelevisionRestoration #ClassicTV #RetroElectronics #C85-1Chassis
The 1980 Curtis Mathes Model G550 Chassis C81-7 • Medium Pecan
After spending countless years in a hot, humid storage shed during the summer and enduring freezing winter temperatures, this beautiful Curtis Mathes Model G550 continues to impress. The Medium Pecan cabinet is showing its age and would benefit from a careful cleaning and fresh application of furniture oil to revive the richness of the wood grain, but the television itself remains remarkably preserved.
In the restored presentation, the cabinet would be brightened and sharpened to highlight the elegant molding, decorative drawer pulls, and warm pecan finish. Contrast and shadow detail would be improved to reveal the craftsmanship that made Curtis Mathes consoles stand apart from competitors.
The picture tube is the real surprise. Despite decades of difficult storage conditions, the CRT is still producing a very respectable image. Color balance would be adjusted to reduce the green-yellow cast, improve flesh tones, deepen blacks, and enhance the silver costume details visible in the Lost in Space VHS scene. The result would showcase a more natural and vibrant picture while preserving the authentic vintage CRT appearance.
Built during the era when Curtis Mathes proudly advertised "the most expensive television set in America, and darn well worth it," this G550 remains a testament to the durability and craftsmanship of American-made console televisions.
#curtismathes #modelg550 #vintagetv #curtismathestv
Early 1980s Curtis Mathes Models Color Television Consoles
In the video below: Playing on the 1980 Curtis Mathes Television, Lost in Space, The Space Primevals, Professor Roberson goes looking for Don and Zachary who are now trapped in a cave and running out of air. Episode aired Oct 4, 1967, on a planet where a primitive people are ruled by a computer, Doctor Smith goes against character and saves Major West's life. 1980 Curtis Mathes Model G550, Color Television Console, Early American Design, Curtis Mathes Chassis C81-7 Medium Pecan. Major Don West, Will Robinson, Professor John Robinson, Maureen Robinson, and Doctor Zachary Smith. #doctorsmith #lostinspace #donwest #curtismathes #vintagetv
Curtis Mathes Model G550, Color Television Console
Curtis Mathes Model G550, Color Television Console
1980 Curtis Mathes Model G550, Color Television Console, Early American Design, Chassis C81-7 Medium Pecan. Has been in a storage shed for countless years. The cabinet needs a good oiling but the picture tube is doing amazing considering the console was in a hot and damp shed in the summer and cold as Hell shed in the winter months for countless years.
#curtismathes #modelg550 #vintagetv #curtismathestv #faithdomergue
In the video Below: Playing on the 1980 Curtis Mathes Color Console Television, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The X Factor, Episode aired Dec 5, 1965. 1980 Curtis Mathes Model G550, Color Television Console, Early American Design, Curtis Mathes Chassis C81-7, Medium Pecan. Word comes through that Dr Liscomb has been kidnapped by a foreign agent posing as a toy importer. Liscomb has cracked the secret of the X factor, a new ingredient and everyone wants it. Starring: Richard Basehart, David Hedison, John McGiver. #curtismathes #vintagetv #voyagetothebottom #thexfactor #kabertoy
The videos below are of the Perry Como's Christmas Show, Perry Singing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Peggy Fleming skating. She was a beautiful skater, very musical and balletic; it was pure skating skills, deep edges and magic. This show was from 1974 is fun, wholesome family entertainment. Rich Little was always entertaining doing his imitations. Playing on the Sony Trinitron Color Television, Sony Model Number KV-27FS100
#perrycomo #toyland #peggyfleming #richlittle #sonytrinitron
1980 Curtis Mathes Television Model G550
Below the 1980 Curtis Mathes Model G550, Playing the black and white: Cult of the Cobra, Staring Faith Domergue … 1980 Curtis Mathes Model G550 Chassis C81-7 Medium Pecan, Has been in a storage shed for countless years, test playing a Cult of the Cobra, VHS tape. The cabinet needs a good oiling but the picture tube is doing amazing considering the console was in a hot and damp shed in the summer and cold as Hell shed in the winter months for countless years. Faith Domergue, Marshall Thompson, Cult of the Cobra is a 1955 American black-and-white horror film from Universal-International Pictures.
#curtismathes #modelg550 #vintagetv #curtismathestv
Photo below: the1980 Curtis Mathes Model G550, Chassis C81-7 Medium Pecan, Has been in a storage shed for countless years. The cabinet needs a good oiling but the picture tube is doing amazing considering the console was in a hot and damp shed in the summer and cold as Hell shed in the winter months for countless years.
#curtismathes #modelg550 #vintagetv #curtismathestv #faithdomergue
Professor John Robinson is below on the Curtis Mathes Color Console Model G550 …
Playing on the1980 Curtis Mathes Model G550,The Avengers, Escape in Time Curtis Mathes Chassis C81-7, Medium Pecan, made in Athens Texas. The VHS Episode first aired on January 28, 1967 · Directed by John Krish. With Patrick Macnee, Diana Rigg, Peter Bowles, Geoffrey Bayldon. When a mad miscreant whips up a time machine, it takes The Avengers no time at all to show him the "era" of his ways. #curtismathesg550 #vintagetv #dianarigg #patrickmacnee #vhstapea paragraph
Playing on the Curtis Mathes in the video below: Dean Martin Christmas1968, Dean Becomes Santa, turn the clock back to December 1968, when every major star of the day had an annual Christmas Special on TV, this is basically a typical great episode of the Dean Martin Show from NBC, with the main theme being Christmas. Dean singing Christmas songs, especially the songs with the Gold Diggers and Dean sitting on the piano and singing with Ken Lane, truly brought back so many good old memories from that timeframe. Even Bob Hope drops by for a few good lines. And the quality is even really great for a TV show with Bob Newhart, Don Deluise, Denis Weaver, and Bob Hope. Playing on a 1980 Curtis Mathes Model G550, Color Television Console, Early American Design, Curtis Mathes Chassis C81-7 Medium Pecan. #deanmartin #christmas #golddiggers #curtismathes #vintagetv
Photo below: Penny and Verda showing that the color is looking good on the Curtis Mathes … 1980 Curtis Mathes Model G550 Chassis C81-7 Medium Pecan, Has been in a storage shed for countless years, test playing a Lost in Space, VHS tape. Revolt of the Androids, Episode aired Mar 8, 1967. #curtismathes #modelg550 #vintagetv #curtismathestv #lostinspace
Two photos below and the two to the left: Playing on the 1980 Curtis Mathes Television Model G550, The Invaders, The Experiment, the Episode first aired Jan 17, 1967. David Vincent meets with an eminent astrophysicist who has proof that aliens are invading the planet.… 1980 Curtis Mathes Model G550, Curtis Mathes Chassis C81-7, Medium Pecan, This television console Has been in a storage shed for countless years. The cabinet needs a good oiling, but the picture tube is doing amazing considering the console was in a hot and damp shed in the summer and cold as Hell shed in the winter months for countless years.
#curtismathes #modelg550 #vintagetv #curtismathestv #theinvaders
On the on the 1980 Curtis Mathes TV Model G550, Star Trek: The Original Series (TV Series) Amok Time (1967) Star Trek VHS Tape. Curtis Mathes Color Television Console, Early American Design, Chassis C81-7 Medium Pecan. Both the tape and the television had been in a storage shed for countless years. #curtismathes #curtismathesg550 #startrek #vintagetv #vhstapeelecting
