1980 Italian GTE Starlite - for general interest

migette · January 29, 2011, 02:22:03 PM

Rather than specialise in a particular country or maker I find it of interest to have a general collection from around the world showing subtle differences that may exist.

Here we have an example of the Starlite which was made for the Italian market. I have included photos to show what the main differences are (perhaps not that subtle).

The influence of Automatic Electric was strongly seen in Europe; Liverpool being the home of the UK base. Interestingly enough the dial is very typical and turns up in several guises. Another example being on an Indian 332 clone, this same type of dial was used in preference to the British Post Office's trigger dial which was used to prevent back dialling as this was a way of getting free calls in the early coinboxes, the other type of dial being the slipping cam. Both these dials look complicated and do not resemble any other types of dial that I have come across.

Finally the handset used on the Italian Starlite is almost identical except where the cord goes in, see photo.

Hope this article has been helpful

Peter

Dan · January 29, 2011, 02:38:45 PM

Very Interesting. Do you think the handset cord is original or a replacement. Curious why it is black....

migette · January 29, 2011, 04:06:41 PM

Hi

I am pretty sure that it's original, as there is a matching clip on it which fits into a groove. It is the same fixing for both the handset and phone cords.

I am also fairly sure that the phone hasn't been working for some time as had to do a bit of DIY on it to get it going.

AE_Collector · January 29, 2011, 04:29:52 PM

Thanks for the "tour" of your Italian Starlite, Peter. Very interesting. Good pictures too! I had a picture of a Brazilian Starlite but I can't locate it at the moment.

The plastic baseplate is very similar to the base of the North American 182A starlites but the components mounted inside are all very different.

Terry

Dennis Markham · January 29, 2011, 04:33:41 PM

I hate to sound repetitive, but it IS interesting. Nice photos and information. Thanks for posting that. Do have any other colors from Italy?

migette · January 30, 2011, 08:01:00 AM

Hi, Glad this is interesting, I feel guilty, as I know its not concerning American phones but I have other phones to write about , this Saturday at my favorite Bootsale (fleemarket) which anything can turn up, not always bargain price, I got a GPO 332 in good condition age 1958? for 35 Pounds. Have not even looked inside yet. To answer the last question have only got the one Italian Starlite but will keep looking. I would also like to thank all members of this forum as it covers all aspects of the hobby, Peter

HarrySmith · January 30, 2011, 08:14:43 AM

Hey Peter, no need to feel guilty, We appreciate phones of all nations, we are a multicultural group. Don't let the "America's" in the header fool you. That is only there because when our forum was appropriated in a hostile takeover they could not think of a better word to replace the name of the previous owner. One of our biggest contributors is in Europe. It is a different looking Starlite.

migette · January 30, 2011, 11:10:44 AM

Hi Harry thanks for kind comments, did not know about the politics and takeovers thought that was for big busyness's. I will try and give more info with pics, thanks again. Peter

Dennis Markham · January 30, 2011, 11:43:22 AM

Quote from: HarrySmith on January 30, 2011, 08:14:43 AM
That is only there because when our forum was appropriated in a hostile takeover they could not think of a better word to replace the name of the previous owner.

Harry makes this comment in jest. There was no hostile take-over of the Forum.

HarrySmith · January 30, 2011, 05:26:27 PM

Yes, I was only joking about the takeover. My apologies.

migette · January 30, 2011, 05:36:09 PM

Once again thanks for further info I did think that it might have been a joke about being taken over.

One last point I would add is that the build quality is not up to the standard of the American versions ie very flimsy.

Peter

AE_Collector · January 30, 2011, 09:07:26 PM

Quote from: Dennis Markham on January 30, 2011, 11:43:22 AM
Harry makes this comment in jest. There was no hostile take-over of the Forum.

And I was going to say "Yeah sure, thanks for posting about the Hostile Takeover here before it was complete....blew MY Hostile Takeover plans right out of the water". Thanks a lot...

Terry!

migette · January 31, 2011, 04:11:40 AM

Hi its a pleasure, will post more snippets soon thanks to you all Peter

bingster · February 02, 2011, 06:14:30 PM

Quote from: HarrySmith on January 30, 2011, 08:14:43 AMWe appreciate phones of all nations, we are a multicultural group. Don't let the "America's" in the header fool you.

It looks like we've had a name change! Perfectly appropriate now. Well done.

AE_Collector · February 02, 2011, 10:03:22 PM

Quote from: bingster on February 02, 2011, 06:14:30 PM
It looks like we've had a name change! Perfectly appropriate now. Well done.

That Dennis, he's probably been sitting there waiting for the first person to notice the change.

Terry

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1980 Italian GTE Starlite - for general interest