1957 Antenna Cable

[William B.]

Does anyone know the correct antenna cable for a 1957 for NCRS judging purposes or is it even judged? I have 2; one that is in a GM bag with Gr. 9.647, part number 3866077 and has the following markings on the cable in small white lettering: W-519. And the other is not in a bag, so I don't know the exact part number, but is the same length and has the same connections at each end and has the markings: WARD-ANCOA 15-486. Is either of these correct? Also, does the routing for the antenna cable from the antenna mast to the radio following and use the same grommets as the rear wiring harness? That's what the assembly manual appears to show. Anyone know for sure?
Thanks Bill

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 Antenna Cable

Bill, the radio antenna, both the external and in the trunk portions are judged in the Exterior Section of the Judging Manual. Only logo that I can remember is an 11 on the bracket that mounts the antenna to the fender. Will check my notes and if there are any will do an additional post. Not sure what you mean by grommets? The coax goes through the same body channel cavity that the rear main wiring harness does. Probably will have to remove/grind some of the epoxy over the hole in the trunk to get the coax plug and wiring harness to go through. Make sure you use a nylon or some other non-breakable cord to pull the wires and coax through with. It's a pretty snug fit. Coax would have a nut on the antenna trunk end and a plug on the radio end. As far as the part no. and group no. - Group no. 9.647 was not in the the 56-62 Parts Books nor the Radio parts books. The part is a service replacement from the 70's or 80's? Hope this helps. Gary....

[Don Y.]

Re: 1957 Antenna Cable

My '57 has the cable passing through the soft top compartment, along the seat back frame and then through the driver's side door sill. (VIN 5899) I will check on the cable markings and bracket stamping and report.

[Don Y.]

Re: 1957 Antenna Cable

There is lettering on the cable casing that says "ADRONICS" The antenna bracket was riveted to the inner fenderwell vs. bolted per my AIM copy. The antenna bracket has an "A" stamped on the inside surface of the bend.

[William B.]

Re: 1957 Antenna Cable

Hi Gary, Thanks for the info on the antenna cable #3866077. My other cable is made by WARD-ANCOA (no part number), does that sound like the original manufacturer for the 57 antenna cables? Also, the grommets I was referring to is shown in the radio section of the AIM F.O.A. 102, sheet 1.00. Their part numbers are: 3708175. I was wondering if the antenna cable is suppose to pass thru them (grommets) as well as the rear wiring harness, which I know for sure does pass thru them. Any idea ? Also, is the "antenna cable" itself, judged for correctness, as far as having the correct markings on it? Thanks, Bill

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 Antenna Cable

Bill as Don said there's an "A" on the antenna angle bracket and an "11" on the round clip that holds the antenna to the bracket. Have never seen any ink stamp or markings on the coax. Doesn't mean there wasn't any, just means I've not seen any. The grommets you refer to are "body grommets". All of the wires and antenna coax pass through those grommets. Grommets are a problem. Pulling the rear harness and coax can be problematic. I had to cut the male plug off of my antenna coax to get it all pulled through. Would hang up under the door sill. Remember to use a strong nylon cord and stagger the wires and coax when taping them together so the diameter is as small as possible. Might even think about using some cable pulling lubricate (available at Home Depot, etc.) to make it go easier once the wires are being pulled past the first grommet hole. Works best with two people. One keep the wires/coax straight and fed into the body hole and the second pulling slowly. Good luck, Gary....

[Don Y.]

Re: 1957 Antenna Cable

Like Gary said make sure your wire bundle is as small as possible when you try to fish it through. I used stainless aircraft safety wire and fished it through solo by just working it back and forth until it cleared all of the obstructions.

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 Antenna Cable

Put your cord or safety wire at least 12 to 18 inches from the start of the coax and wire you're pulling. Tape from the cord/wire down to the end of the cord/wire very very smoothly with overlapping tape edges. Double the cord/wire back over the tape. Then do a single layer of tape over the cord/wire bend over. You will exert at least 50 lbs of pulling pressure so the cord/wire must be secure and the tape job good enough to hold the wires/coax together. You will probably have to grind the opening in the trunk a little larger as St.Louis usually put a dab of resin over the opening to close it up somewhat. Again make the bundle as small as possible. Even bend some of the wires backward to keep the bundle as small as possible when your taping. Gary....

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 Antenna Cable

Checked with two '57 Bowties and both have Adronics white ink stamped on the antenna coax. Gary....

[Don Y.]

Re: 1957 Antenna Cable

Some '57 antenna hardware photos.

Fender bracket with "A" stamping



Antenna bracket with "11" stamping.



Antenna cable knurled or serrated nut.



Cable casing with "ADRONICS" markings.

[William B.]

Re: 1957 Antenna Cable

Don, Thanks for the great pictures! That helps alot in identifying the correct bracket and cable. Bill

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 Antenna Cable

FYI - interesting to note that my original antenna mount clip had "12" stamped into it instead of an "11" like most I've seen. Gary....

[Don Y.]

Re: 1957 Antenna Cable

FYI - interesting to note that my original antenna mount clip had "12" stamped into it instead of an "11" like most I've seen. Gary....

Maybe yours is just a little bit better