66 Power Antenna Value

[Rich G.]

A 65/66 power Antenna (original) in need of rebuild just went to someone on ebay for $255. My question is, what do you guys think? Too much, too little? Obviously the buyer thought it was a good deal. I stopped at $250 just because I had made that my limit based upon buying a repro for $179 and I'm not planning to show this car any time soon. I know what the differences are. I would still like to get an original someday so I would like to hear opinions about value. I know of one rebuilt one for sale on an exchange basis only for $500. I passed on that one.

Thanks

Rich Giannotti 38594

[Peter J.]

Re: 66 Power Antenna Value

Rich, Factor in the $400. rebuild for the unit and you are getting up there for a car you don't plan on getting judged. I'd get the repop for around $160 and start looking for a core at one of the shows if you intend to get judged in distant future. Dave at OEM glass does a great job but that is alot of bucks.

[Gary B.]

65-66 Power Antenna

Rich,

I've been thinking about buying a restored power antenna for my '66 for several years now. A previous owner of my car said that the antenna was vandalized in 1972 and the 1972 GM replacement antenna isn't configured the same as the original. I'm starting to think that, on a per pound basis, a restored power antenna is going to be the most expensive part for my car!

Dale at OEM Glass restores 65-66 power antennas and I think his core charge is $100 or $150, so buying a used core for more than $150 doesn't make any sense if Dale still accepts cash instead of a core. Of course buying a used antenna that needs a rebuild might be worth $250 if you're going to restore it yourself, but I'm not willing to do for that item. This seems to be a classic case of supply and demand; the supply is low and there are enough of us out there needing a restored antenna that demand unfortunately dictates the $500-$600 pricing.

Gary

[Sheldon S.]

Re: 65-66 Power Antenna

Does someone have a phone number and address for Dale at OEM Glass. I have a core that needs rebuilding. 500 hundred seems a bit steep but what other choice does one have. Does the job Dale does pass for the real thing at shows?
Thanks
Sheldon

[Rich G.]

Re: 65-66 Power Antenna

First, thanks for the responses. You are in line with my thinking. It's good to know I'm not alone!

Regarding OEM glass, I think there was a discussion only a few weeks ago that had his number in it, so if you get no other response, search on the board.

Rich Giannotti

[Elko P.]

Re: 65-66 Power Antenna

I recently talked with Dale at OEM glass. He told me a good core (If you can find one) will cost you more than the rebuild.

His # is 309-662-2122

[Lawrence C.]

Re: 65-66 Power Antenna

About a year ago I called Dale at OEM looking to start the process of replacing my repro antenna which was on my '66 coupe when I got it. At that time he did not have any cores himself, so I went on a search via internet, ads, etc. for a restorable core. I found one in California for $200 plus the shipping. It had an operable motor but no mast. The operable motor part actually keeps the resto cost down a bit. I then sent it to OEM and in short order they sent me back a gorgeous rebuilt antenna which works great. It is expensive but I am looking to PV the car so it was (gulp) OK.

The antenna assembly has, however, moved to the number one spot on the per-item cost list that I would NEVER want my wife to find out about (or it would end all speculation that I sometimes lose my mind!), and keep it buried in the total "investment".

[Steve Miller]

Re: 65-66 Power Antenna

Along the lines of restoration of these antennas, when I removed the one from my 1966 coupe, the assembly was encased in a wax/plastic covering. Is this normal? If so, is this part of the restoration process?

[Gary B.]

Re: 65-66 Power Antenna

Steve,

Yes, the plastic covering is original and, yes, I believe that this is included in the Dale's restoration. I've never seen a restored antenna, so I can't speak to the accuracy of the his covering.

Gary

[Sheldon S.]

Re: 65-66 Power Antenna

I talked with Chuck at OEM yesterday and the current price for a resto is $489.00. This includes a new mast, Rebuilding the motor and resealing it in the originl beeswax. They suggested sending everything that I had as they would use as much of the original parts as possible. I sent the old mast even though it was really no good but the original tip was still good and apparently that is the hardest part to replace like the original.
Sheldon