{"product_id":"vintage-western-electric-model-500-avocado-green-rotary-phone","title":"Vintage Western Electric Model 500 Avocado Green Rotary Telephone | 1960s–1970s Bell System Desk Phone","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis is an authentic Western Electric Model 500 rotary desk telephone in a striking avocado green—the color that defined mid-century American kitchens and living rooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eManufactured by Western Electric for the Bell System, this phone comes complete with its original coiled handset cord and a fully functional rotary dial.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eEra: 1960s–1970s (peak avocado color era)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eItem type: Desktop rotary telephone \/ desk phone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMaterials: Plastic body (hard plastic housing), metal rotary dial, rubber feet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eColor: Avocado green, vibrant and intact\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSize \/ Measurements: 9\" H × 5\" W × 6\" D; weight approximately 3 lbs 15 oz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTexture \/ Finish: Smooth hard plastic with slight sheen; matte finish on rotary dial\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eStyle notes: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/collections\/vintage-memorabilia\" title=\"Vintage Memorabilia \u0026amp; Rare Ephemera\"\u003eMid-century Modern, retro, 1960s–70s Americana kitchen style\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eManufacturer: Western Electric Company for Bell System (USA)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eCondition Grade: Very Good UNTESTED\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePositives\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eDial moves smoothly and is fully functional\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOriginal avocado green finish intact and vibrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOriginal coiled handset cord present\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eHandset cradle secure and intact\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBase solid with mounting holes functional\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eClean, complete condition overall\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssues \/ Wear\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLight surface wear on base and body consistent with age\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMinor scuffs on the plastic housing from normal handling and storage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLabel shows age-appropriate wear and fading\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUNTESTED AS FOUND\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSee all photos—sold as pictured.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Grade Key\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eNear Fine — minimal wear; clean.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eVery Good — light wear; clean; minor flaws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eGood — noticeable wear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eFair — heavy wear; complete but worn; priced accordingly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eCollector's Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eWestern Electric Model 500 phones are the workhorses of the rotary era—millions were installed in homes and offices from the 1950s through the 1980s. The avocado color especially captures a moment in design history when that shade felt modern and optimistic. Collectors now prize these phones for their design purity, their honest engineering, and their ability to evoke a specific era. They're also surprisingly durable; many still work perfectly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eWhether you're furnishing a retro kitchen, styling a shelf of mid-century finds, or chasing the nostalgia of growing up with one of these phones, this Model 500 brings genuine warmth and a little smile every time you look at it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e∙Photo-verified condition (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/pages\/shipping-policy\" title=\"shipping policy\"\u003eno surprises\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e∙Packed with our protective packaging standard\u003cbr\u003e∙Ships in 1 business day\u003cbr\u003e∙Free Shipping on $35+ (U.S. only)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"description\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDisclaimer\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/pages\/about-reading-vintage\" title=\"about reading vintage\"\u003eWhile I do my best\u003c\/a\u003e to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese pieces come from estate collections and have been surface cleaned. You may wish to perform additional cleaning depending on your preference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Orders $35+ Ship Free","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48596402798847,"sku":"a four – T 8 – 2807","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2503\/7976\/files\/vintage-western-electric-model-500-avocado-green-rotary-phone.jpg?v=1779986766","url":"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/products\/vintage-western-electric-model-500-avocado-green-rotary-phone","provider":"Reading Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}