Static Radio C1's

[Roy B.]

Any one that reads this stuff and won't to copy the pic. should because my files are loading up and I'll remove these links as I have others in a week or so
That way any thing you think is worth keeping you could pass it on to others or write NCRS and get published, many have never been!!
For the 56 to 57 owners there was body changes and I may do them to get ready for next year, never judges and many don't know how to tell a body 56 from a 57.
Looking at the drawing Voltage Regulator cover "cover"corner bolts this was done in 1955.

[David Bodily]

Re: Static Radio C1's

Roy, I have a "59". I have looked under the dust cap on my spindles and no static collector on either one. I think I remember the AIM calling for one on a 59 also. Is this correct? Are these items available from the normal after market sources. I do not have any of my catalogs available to look in right now. Thanks in advance David Bodily

[Roy B.]

Re: Static Radio C1's

All C1's with radio had them C&C sells them. or chevy guys.

[Jack H.]

Re: Static Radio C1's

Yes the static collectors used in the axle caps are available in repro, as Roy mentioned. BUT, they're not cheap....

If you're willing to apply some elbow grease, you can 'mine' older scrap yard cars as this was an across-the-line 'feature' with GM. But, don't be too surprised to find 'maybe' 10% of the older cars you pop the axle covers on actually have static collectors beneath!

When wheel bearings were repacked it was pretty much common practice for non-dealer mechanics to discard the 'extra' parts they found inside the caps! Few owners ever complained because the static relief these components provided bordered on being negligible. You MIGHT notice the absense of static collectors IF you're listening to a weak AM signal in a fringe area AND running on original non-DOT tires of the era....

Today's modern rubber polymerization dissipates charge much more effectively that the old rubber did. So, adding the static collectors boils down to pretty much to a parallel with the tree falling in the woods when nobody's around to hear....

During Flight Judging, cars are NOT in motion during the Operations Check. During PV tests, it's RARE to be outside a major metro area where AM reception might be 'fringe' in signal strength (this DID happen at the Sun Valley National!), and very few cars show up for PV running original non-DOT tires. Basically, the decision to get/install factory original static collectors boils down to a restoration pride issue. They can't be seen/judged and only provide marginal static relief under 'just right' conditions!

BTW, the Delco Radio repair manuals from the era went on to address what to do IF the static collectors were installed and the owner STILL complained of tire/wheel rotational static discharge interference.... The solution was to pull the valve stems and spritz the inside of the tire with anti-static powder!

[Dave Suesz]

What about the...

cap on the headlight switch?