1962 antenna

[Richard T.]

I have been told that the available replacement antennas for a 1962 Corvette are not correct. Can anyone tell me how the replacement differs from the NOS? How do you tell a replacement from the original? Thank you.

[Mike M.]

Re: 1962 antenna

61-2 judging manual, which away from me at the moment, describes mast length at full down position (orig differs from repro in the length) also you'd like to see the Chevy bowtie and "ward" 180 degrees apart down on the main body. replacements or pass car originals don' t have "Ward" and/or the bowtie. mike

[William C.]

Re: 1962 antenna

Note that the bowtie is not present in about 1/2 of the originals, but the "ward" is always present.

[Dave S.]

Re: 1962 antenna

Rick,

The outer mast will slide up and down for a few inches, thus changing the height above the rear fender without extending the mast. That is the main functional difference between originals and reproductions. Repros lack WARD and/or the Bowtie. As mentioned above all originals have WARD on the body but I'm told 62's have the Bowtie and 61's don't. JG is silient on that part.

[Mike M.]

Re: 1962 antenna

Dave: my 61 ,vin 4787, has both bowtie and ward. mike

[Dave S.]

Re: 1962 antenna

Mike,
Thanks for the info. I was told by a fellow 61 FI owner and NCRS member about the Bowtie thing so to me it is heresay. He is a 61 judge and he told me he would give me a deduct for the Bowtie on a 61 antenna as his research indicates that 61's did not have the Bowtie. Assuming yours is original that speaks to the Bowtie possibility in 1961. I currently have both the WARD and a Bowtie on mine but it not original to the car. Your car is exactly 200 later than mine.(#4587)

[Richard T.]

Re: 1962 antenna

Thanks to all who responded to my question. However, I am still confused on one point. The 4th Edition Judging Manual states "The mast sections, when lowered, generally measure from 15 to 17 inches from top of antenna to fender surface." The 5th Edition states: "The mast sections, when lowered, generally measure from 9 to 11 inches from top of antenna to fender surface." It goes on to say that "[O]n original antennas, the largest section (bottom section) also lowers into the fender." Does this mean that up to six inches of the bottom mast should lower into the fender, with 9 to 11 inches remaining visible above the fender? Or has there simply been a revised opinion as to the correct length of the mast in the Fifth Edition manual?

[Mike E.]

Re: 1962 antenna

Dave,
Some of the frustration in this hobby, as you know, is with self-aapointed "experts" who have done limited research. Regarding the antennas, over the last 30 years, I've managed to find no correlation between 61 or 62, early or late, low or high horsepower, color of interior, manufacturer of the spare tire, etc. regarding the use or non-use of the bowtie. And I've been looking!

[Dave S.]

Re: 1962 antenna

Mike,

Thanks for the follow up. Heresay is an area to be concerned about but we all listen to it, and should for that matter. It is a learning tool as long as its not taken as gospel. I think I'll keep my WARD/bowtie antenna body on the 61 thanks to the comments made.