1963 antenna questions

[David L.]

Re: 1963 antenna questions

While searching for other parts in my garage a came across two used 63-64 antennas. Both have the "bowtie" on the body (or base) but one has the letter "A" over the number "3" part inside circle (bottom antenna) while the other has the letter "B" inside a diamond (top antenna). The "B" antenna also has "collars" located about 0.48" down from the end of each section. The masts are approximately the same (52 3/4" & 52 1/2" fully extended and 15 15/16" & 13 11/16" closed. I tend to think that the antenna with the "B" and the "collars" is a 1963 vintage but who really knows.

I bought the antenna with the "B" & "collars" at Corvette Carlisle back in the 1990's and it came with the correct attaching parts for 63-64 Corvettes.

Any comments? Does anyone have an original 63-64 Corvette antenna with the "collars"?

Dave

[Alan D.]

Re: 1963 antenna questions

Dave, Here is an original 64 and a service replacement (broken) The top is original while in the ball picture - original on left.

[David L.]

Re: 1963 antenna questions

Dave, Here is an original 64 and a service replacement (broken) The top is original while in the ball picture - original on left.

Alan,

Your original 1964 antenna (encircled A over the 3) looks the same in all respects as my "encircled A over 3"" antenna. I'm thinking that my antenna with the "collars" and "B" inside the diamond is an earlier version.

My 1963 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1962) lists GM # 985658 as the antenna unit for a 1963 Corvette.
My 1964 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1963) lists GM # 985787 as the antenna unit for a 1964 Corvette and 985658 for the 1963.

GM # 985658 was removed from service on Oct. 1964 as per Chevrolet Parts History and GM # 985787 was removed from service on May 1965.

However, the 1963 and 1964 Corvette Assembly Manuals both list GM # 3820663 as the antenna body asm.

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 1963 antenna questions

I found these two photos of GM # 985922 this morning on the web, an antenna assembly for a 1964 Chevrolet Passenger car (right side front) as per my 1964 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1963). John had mentioned that the 985922 mast in his May 17, 2014, post and it was the same as the 1963-1964 Corvette mast. What confuses me is that this particular 985922 mast has a fixed hex "nut" on the bottom end of the mast.
Note the the mast in has the "collars" at the end off each section. These "collars" are more evident in the 2nd photo.

GM # 985922 was removed from service in May 1966.

Dave

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 antenna questions

I found these two photos of GM # 985922 this morning on the web, an antenna assembly for a 1964 Chevrolet Passenger car (right side front) as per my 1964 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1963). John had mentioned that the 985922 mast in his May 17, 2014, post and it was the same as the 1963-1964 Corvette mast. What confuses me is that this particular 985922 mast has a fixed hex "nut" on the bottom end of the mast.
Note the the mast in has the "collars" at the end off each section. These "collars" are more evident in the 2nd photo.

Dave

Dave------


Keep in mind that this is a SERVICE-only, accessory kit. The components of such kits may be the same as used in PRODUCTION or they may not. Sometimes, components in these kits tend to be more "generic".

[David L.]

Re: 1963 antenna questions

Dave------


Keep in mind that this is a SERVICE-only, accessory kit. The components of such kits may be the same as used in PRODUCTION or they may not. Sometimes, components in these kits tend to be more "generic".

Joe,

I realize that sometimes the service parts are not exactly the same as production. I have seen this many times when parts are serviced for many years and the part number remains the same even though minor changes are made to the part. In this case the 985922 antenna kit was only in service for a few years, I assume from October 1963 to May 1966. There may have been two different vendors that made the antenna masts or maybe the vendor made a minor change sometime during the years that the part was made. Is there a 985922 antenna kit that comes without the fixed hex "nut" and without the "collars"? I guess the point that I was trying to make is that there were two different versions of the antenna mast made during the 1963 and 1964 model years, one with the "collars" near the ends of each section and one just "plain" which seems to much more common.

Dave

[Bob R.]

Re: 1963 antenna questions

Quite a few years ago I purchased an antenna for my 63 from Corvette Specialties of Maryland. I believe it to be an NOS antenna it has the correct size ball at the top and it has passed judging so you could see if they still have any. I remember paying $100 for it.

[David L.]

Re: 1963 antenna questions

Just down the road from me there is a NOS 985658 antenna for sale but my pockets are not deep enough.

http://rowleycorvette.com/63antena.html

[Gary B.]

Re: 1963 antenna questions

David,

That price for an NOS example seems like a bargain compared to those of us needing a '65/'66 power antenna.

Gary

[Jaime G.]

Re: 1963 antenna questions

I remember 31" as the optimum length for FM reception. To verify this I just measured the antennas on my 1998 S10 and 1994 Z28. Both measure 31" from the fender surface to the tip of the antenna.

Dave

Nice information but my early (Oct.62) SWC only has AM.What is the optimum ht. for AM? Thanks in advance.

[David L.]

Re: 1963 antenna questions

Nice information but my early (Oct.62) SWC only has AM.What is the optimum ht. for AM? Thanks in advance.

I really have no idea but as I remember back in the 1960's we extended our car antenna to the maximum when we only had AM radios. I have a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Maybe someone with an Electrical Engineering degree can answer you question.