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67/68 antenna mast

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  • Michael M.
    Very Frequent User
    • February 15, 2007
    • 455

    67/68 antenna mast

    I just ordered a new reproduction antenna mast for my 68. It has arrived and it looks nothing like the one on my car (which I believe to be original). My antenna is a manual telescoping version. Also, my antenna is somewhat flat not round. The antenna I received was a fixed version with a round mast.

    I recall many years ago, looking in the corvette restoration catalogs and it listing a flat antenna for 67 and 68. I never did buy one because there wasn't a need.

    Can anyone confirm that my antenna is original or not? I have a very distinct memory of these "flat" antennas being offered many years ago. I have searched the archives and consulted the JG with no luck. Also, it seems all of the parts houses are offering the same antenna as what I received. Thanks for any help.
  • Jim B.
    Very Frequent User
    • July 31, 2002
    • 146

    #2
    Re: 67/68 antenna mast

    My original owner 68 (I am the original owner) has a fixed round stainless antenna, I have never seen any 68 with a telescoping mast.

    J Boudreaux
    #38390
    Jim Boudreaux
    LA Chapter, NCRS

    _____________________________
    1968 British Green Convertible 327/350HP Original Owner
    2002 Z06 Black on Black Original Owner
    2007 Z06 Velocity Yellow w/Black/Titainium Original Owner

    Comment

    • Jim T.
      Expired
      • March 1, 1993
      • 5351

      #3
      Re: 67/68 antenna mast

      Agree with Jim, my 68 original owner convertible has a fixed round antenna. The mast can be removed easily.

      Comment

      • Paul L.
        Expired
        • November 1, 2002
        • 1414

        #4
        Re: 67/68 antenna mast

        My 1967 has a roundish base with a screw-in, fixed mast.

        Comment

        • William C.
          NCRS Past President
          • May 31, 1975
          • 6037

          #5
          Fixed mast on all 68's! *NM*

          Bill Clupper #618

          Comment

          • Michael M.
            Very Frequent User
            • February 15, 2007
            • 455

            #6
            Re: 67/68 antenna mast

            OK, guys. I guess it isn't original but darn I had that memory. Maybe it is just my imagination, it was probably over 20 years ago. Thanks for the responses. On goes the fixed, round antenna.

            Comment

            • Terry B.
              Very Frequent User
              • August 31, 1999
              • 607

              #7
              Re: 67/68 antenna mast

              Two more thing you also need to consider if you have the car judged is the size of the mast ball on top and the taper of the base of the mast. Reproductions sometimes come with too small of ball top and the taper is wrong at the base. Not much you can do about the taper of the mast base but Paragon had the correct ball top....at least they did 2 years ago.
              Terry Buchanan

              Webmaster / Secretary - Heart of Ohio Chapter www.ncrs.org/hoo

              Corvettes Owned:
              1977 Coupe
              1968 Convertible 427/390 (L-36) Chapter Top Flight 2007, Regional Top Flight 2010, National Top Flight 2011
              2003 Electron Blue Coupe
              2019 Torch Red Grand Sport Coupe

              Comment

              • Ray G.
                Extremely Frequent Poster
                • May 31, 1986
                • 1187

                #8
                Re: 67/68 antenna ball dia?

                Hello Terry Buchanan;

                Do we possibly have a diameter on the correct size ball?
                Thanks for all your help.
                Ray
                And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
                I hope you dance


                Comment

                • Michael M.
                  Very Frequent User
                  • February 15, 2007
                  • 455

                  #9
                  Re: 67/68 antenna mast

                  Terry, thanks for the response. But as always, I'm a day late and a dollar short. The mast ball diameter is .270 I believe that is the telltale sign of a repro. My car is a driver (not judged) but something as simple as this I could have easily checked out.

                  Comment

                  • Terry B.
                    Very Frequent User
                    • August 31, 1999
                    • 607

                    #10
                    Re: 67/68 antenna ball dia?

                    Ray and Michael,
                    Per the '68-69 judging manual, the ball size is .30 inches and replacement size is generally .25 inches. That's a fine line until you see the cars lined up on the judging field and then it becomes apparent.

                    In addition, the mast height is 31 inches. A black plastic gasket is used between the base and the body.
                    Terry Buchanan

                    Webmaster / Secretary - Heart of Ohio Chapter www.ncrs.org/hoo

                    Corvettes Owned:
                    1977 Coupe
                    1968 Convertible 427/390 (L-36) Chapter Top Flight 2007, Regional Top Flight 2010, National Top Flight 2011
                    2003 Electron Blue Coupe
                    2019 Torch Red Grand Sport Coupe

                    Comment

                    • Joe L.
                      Beyond Control Poster
                      • February 1, 1988
                      • 43193

                      #11
                      Re: 67/68 antenna mast

                      Michael-----

                      I'm not 100% sure that what you have on your car is not original. GM says that the antenna mast used for 1968 Corvettes was of GM #3875700. This is the "flat" style mast that you describe. The 3875700 was replaced by GM #3934224. It's also a "flat" style antenna mast similar to the 3875700. However, I believe that the 3875700 was a non-telescoping unit whereas the 3934224 is a telescoping unit, although otherwise similar to the 3875700. In that sense, what you have on your car is not as GM says it should be. However, it's possible that the 3934224 replaced the 3875700 sometime during the 1968 model year-----the part number "hints" at that, even though the 3934224 did not replace the 3875700 for SERVICE until April, 1973.

                      For many years, GM cataloged the 3934224 as the mast for 68-70 Corvettes. That was an error, at least for 69-70 models. 69-70 definitely used the round, fixed mast. However, I'm not so sure about 1968.

                      Regardless of what GM says, I guess we have to rely on what folks find on original 1968 cars for the best evidence. Empirical evidence is always the best. However, while it appears that the round mast unit was used on, at least, some 1968's, we don't know if it was used on all 1968's.

                      The first fixed, round mast unit that I can find was GM #3943654. I can say, for sure, that it had no predecessor part number. This unit was used in PRODUCTION for all 1969-77 Corvettes with manual antennas. It is the "0.30" ball" version of the mast. That part number I sort of doubt was around at the start of 1968 PRODUCTION. I base that on a "rule-of-thumb" I use for ESTIMATING a part's release date. However, as I've said many times before, this is NOT a "precise science". For a number like 3943654 it's really "too close to call". However, it "hints" at a part that would have had, at the earliest, a first quarter, 1968 release date. Also, GM NEVER cataloged the 3943654 in SERVICE for 1968 Corvettes.

                      As far as the round mast, fixed antenna rods go and as I mentioned, the 3943654 was used, for sure, for 1969-77 Corvettes. In 1978, GM #370147 became the PRODUCTION mast for Corvettes with standard antennas and it was so-utilized through the 1982 model year. It also replaced the 3943654 for SERVICE of 69-77 models. The GM #370147 is the "0.25" ball" version of the unit; it's still available from GM today and is, likely, the "reproduction" being currently sold.
                      In Appreciation of John Hinckley

                      Comment

                      • Kent K.
                        Extremely Frequent Poster
                        • December 1, 1982
                        • 1139

                        #12
                        Re: 67/68 antenna mast

                        Joe,

                        I always appreciate your thorough responses on this board. Could it be that GM continued use of the '67 antenna mast and base through '68?

                        Kent #6201
                        Kent
                        1967 327/300 Convert. w/ Air - Duntoved in 1994
                        1969 427/435 Coupe - 1 previous owner
                        2006 Coupe - Driver & Fun Car !!!
                        NCM Founder - Member #718

                        Comment

                        • Joe L.
                          Beyond Control Poster
                          • February 1, 1988
                          • 43193

                          #13
                          Re: 67/68 antenna mast

                          Kent-----

                          According to the AIM, and other references that's exactly what they did. Whether they ACTUALLY did for some or all of the 1968 model year is the question.
                          In Appreciation of John Hinckley

                          Comment

                          • Michael M.
                            Very Frequent User
                            • February 15, 2007
                            • 455

                            #14
                            Re: 67/68 antenna mast

                            Thanks for the response Joe. Was the 67 mast the 3875700 that you describe or was it only used on 68's? My car has a November, 67 build date. I still believe I remember seeing the "flat" masts advertised in the parts catalogs probably 20 years ago for both 67 and 68. My car is a driver so it won't be judged, but I still like to do easy things like this the right way.

                            Comment

                            • Joe L.
                              Beyond Control Poster
                              • February 1, 1988
                              • 43193

                              #15
                              Re: 67/68 antenna mast

                              Michael-----

                              GM says that the 3875700 was used on 67's, too. Whether it actually was, or not, I cannot say, for sure. Once again, I expect that empirical evidence will be the best in a case like this.
                              In Appreciation of John Hinckley

                              Comment

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