Penetray Motorized Color Wheel Value Guide

The Penetray Motorized Color Wheel is a quintessential piece of Mid-Century Americana, specifically engineered to illuminate the non-lit aluminum Christmas trees of the Atomic Age. Its rotating four-color disc transformed static metallic branches into a shimmering, futuristic light show that defined holiday decor from 1950 to 1970.

What Is Penetray Motorized Color Wheel Worth?

The typical price range for Penetray Motorized Color Wheel is $180 - $220 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Operational status of the motor, as a smooth and quiet rotation significantly increases market value.
• The physical condition of the plastic color panels, specifically looking for cracks or heat-warping from high-wattage bulbs.
• Completeness of the unit, including the original box and the metal tension clips that hold the color wheel in place.
• Overall aesthetic condition of the metal housing, with a premium placed on units free of rust or significant paint loss.

How to Identify Penetray Motorized Color Wheel?

• Look for the original Penetray brand logo stamped on the metal motor housing or the base.
• Verify the presence of the four distinct translucent plastic panels in red, blue, green, and amber.
• Check for the original heavy-duty metal stand and the motorized hub that rotates the disc.
• Confirm the presence of the original electrical cord and the specific 'Penetray' manufacturing labels often found on the underside.

History of Penetray Motorized Color Wheel

Motorized color wheels like this Penetray model became popular in the mid-20th century, particularly from the 1950s to the 1970s, as a dazzling accompaniment to the then-fashionable aluminum Christmas trees. These trees, which did not have internal lighting, relied on external illumination. The rotating color wheel cast a mesmerizing array of hues onto the metallic branches, creating a dynamic and futuristic holiday display that perfectly captured the atomic age aesthetic of the era. Penetray was a well-known brand in this market.