'65 radio delete question

[George W.]

I believe that C3 bodied radio delete cars had the antenna hole filled on the line. Is this correct? Was the same true for AOS bodies in '65? Thanks all, G.

[Jack H.]

Re: '65 radio delete question

I don't recall the exact year when Shark cars PRESUMED a radio would be ordered and treated non-radio cars as an exception by filling the antenna hole, but straight axle and mid year cars presumed no radio and those that ordered the radio option were drilled for antenna mounting. Technically speaking, the early cars aren't called 'radio delete' as the radio feature was not a standard feature that had to be 'deleted'....

[George W.]

Re: '65 radio delete question

Thank you Jack. While stripping my '65, I noticed for the first time that the antenna was in the wrong position (forward apx. 8", and inboard apx. 5"----putting the antenna suport inside the rear hatch). I looked for the original antenna hole and there is no evidence of same. So I am I to presume that this car was originally without a radio? If I did my math correctly, there were 1,449 '65's delivered without a radio. Is this judged; meaning do the judges look for undisturbed fiberglass when doing a non radio car? Were all center consoles precut for radios, or were "no hole" consoles used? Thanks again, G.

[Mike M.]

Re: '65 radio delete question

hole center consoles without radio opening existed for the radio delete midyears and the rear deck was not drilled for the antennae. judges will look for evidence of deck hole repairs. repairing your deck so that no shrinkage of the repaired hole is evident a year or two after the paint applied, is a formidable task. no simple solution to your problem. replacement of the rear deck panel only sure fix i can think of. mike

[George W.]

Re: '65 radio delete question

Mike, thank you for the reply. The rear panel on this car was never cut for the antenna---at least, not in the correct position. The hole there now is much more forward and inboard, likely done at some later date when the radio was installed. This is presuming that all factory antenna holes were positioned in the same spot. So if I can determine that this was a non radio car, yet end up having "evidence" of this later added hole, what kind of deduction would be incurred/ TY, G.

[Mike M.]

Re: '65 radio delete question

if the presumed dealer installed antennae is in the incorrect position on the deck, and the repair hole is beyond the factory hole(all radio equipped holes were in same location), and the defect is discernable, i suspect the deduct would be minimal(say 5 or 10 points out of 4500). however, since the decklide will likely "show" evidence of repair, make sure all evidence of a radio ever being installed is put under the workbench. the judges will be suspicious that the car was a radio equipped vette being converted to a non-radio car and will be more scrutinous of radio unique areas on the car. they will be especially interested in the dash area where a radio would normally live. good luck, mike

[George W.]

Thanks all, looks like the Vette will go back

as non radio equipped. I guess I'll have a radio and related parts/pieces available? G.