BTW, I remember repairing a 60s Japanese transistor radio that had the
transistor count proudly printed on the front of the radio (either 6 or
8 - can't remember), but two of the transistors had a leg cut off and
used as diodes. Technically they were transistors but sheesh.


Back then many of the transistor radios had a transistor or more used as
a diode. Guess that was a big selling point for them as to how many
transistors a radio had. Just like the watches of the time had so many
jewels in them.

Yes, it was a competitive advantage for advertising purposes. And,
the manufacturers could use "bad" transistors for this - ones which
had failed the test for one reason or another, had an open emitter or
open collector, etc. They could get these cheaply, or use the bad
ones out of a large lot they'd bought in bulk.