Key: Vibroplex Zephyr
Serial: 188467
Vintage: 1955
Acquired: April 14, 2026
Plate: D6 | 833 Broadway N.Y. | Patented
Base: Black Crackle
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Review
Hitting the scene in 1939 was two brand new Vibroplexes which borrowed top parts from the venerable Lightning Bug. The Zephyr and the Champion would be offered as more affordable bugs and would use the assembled frame, main lever, and flat pendulum assembly from the Lightning Bug while adding a simplified damper assembly.
The Zephyr differs from the Champion in that its base is only 3″ wide, being one of only two Vibroplexes to ever be placed on a 3″ base in their standard configuration (the Martin Junior being the other one). Of course the Blue Racer had a variant which saw its 2-1/2″ base become 3″ or 3-1/2″ wide, but those were non-standard, special order configurations. The only other difference between Zephyr and Champion is the inclusion of a circuit closer on the Zephyr. Neither the Zephyr nor the Champion would ever see the Deluxe treatment come their way.
The Zephyr lasted until 1958 when it was discontinued. Its only variations include different finishes, black crackle and gray crackle, although there may be early versions with a black japanned finish.
Any version of Zephyr would be a good addition to one’s collection. The price of the Zephyr was less than a Lightning Bug, but more than a Champion, which didn’t exactly make it the most economical choice for what you got. Early versions with an authentic japanned base would perhaps be the most collectible version of the Zephyr for the picky collector.
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