C-3 big ball antennas

[D S.]

When did the big ball antenna (.30 ball) era run in the C-3s? 1969--19??

Thanks,
Scott

[Dick W.]

Re: C-3 big ball antennas

At least thru 1972, I cannot spell 1973

[D S.]

Re: C-3 big ball antennas

That's funny....my target years for C-3 are 1968-1972 and all C-1s and C-2s. Thanks for the reply.

[Harmon C.]

Re: C-3 big ball antennas

The large ball was used through 77 and then power antennas started in 78.
The small ball was a replacement but may have been used in 78 on fixed masts as per the judging manual.

[D S.]

Re: C-3 big ball antennas

I'm more curious about the area where the mast enters the "cone" shaped part. I have two sets of big ball antennas but they are different in that area. I'm told that at an NCRS Regional judging event last year that a person had a big ball antenna on his 1970 Corvette but was told it was incorrect. The same was true for another 1972 Corvette owner at this year's Nationals.
See photo of both big ball antennas where they enter the cone. The one on the left is correct for 1970-1972 so is the one on the right 1973-1977?

[Harmon C.]

Re: C-3 big ball antennas

Lots of over the counter GM small ball masts have had the ball changed to a larger size. I did it with a bent up antenna myself. Their may be combinations out their there that were never original or aftermarket.

[D S.]

Re: C-3 big ball antennas

No, I think the big ball ones like the one on the right in the photo was a regular production mast. I have four of them and they are all identical. I also have four of the 1970-1972 masts and they are identical. This leads me to believe that the mast on the right in the photo was 1.) a production mast in passenger cars in that era that were equipped with Delco AM-FM radios and/or, 2.) 1973-1977 Corvettes.

[Harmon C.]

Re: C-3 big ball antennas

The pictures are so small I can't tell for sure what they are. I will check what I have but from what I can see I think the one on the right is a 73 antenna. The one on the left is that a flat spot or a ledge all the way around?

[D S.]

Re: C-3 big ball antennas

Lyle, my apologies for the small photo. I thought viewers had a way of enlarging them in the view mode. I took another photo that might be clearer and larger. Also note the differences in the bands at the base of the cone of the mast. Yet both are big ball antennas. And, yes, I agree with you that the balls can be removed and transplanted.

[Terry M.]

Re: C-3 big ball antennas

Ah -- mucho clearer. I agree the one on the left is the one usually seen on 1970-72, probably 1969 as well. I suppose it is always possible there were multiple sources with a slightly different configuration as a means of identifying the source for QC purposes.

[Jack H.]

Re: C-3 big ball antennas

If I remember correctly, the antenna system consisted of purchased parts with Ward being one of the approved suppliers. When GM purchased vs. made a give part, it took an act of the almighty to approve a single source supplier! I know, working for Texas Instruments I walked down that road a couple of times (Pete Estes was a really nice guy, but getting a sign-off on sole source status was something I don't recall seeing him do...).

Therefore, if there were multiple suppliers of the antenna mast, it's well within the realm of possibility that we're looking at two different sources here because the physical differences are VERY modest...

Plus, I doubt there was a 'passenger car' version of the mast. I DO know that on the '67-68 version of the antenna mast (similar but with different base characteristics), the same PN called out for Corvette is called out for other Chevy passenger cars sporting AM/FM radios like Camaro, Chevelle, Etc....

[D S.]

Re: C-3 big ball antennas

My intent is this: Bring awareness about the differences in the masts. Certainly there are other 1969-1972 Corvette owners with big ball antennas who think they have the correct antennas when they purchase them after their original ones are gone, bent, stolen. If two owners I am aware of were advised that their big ball antennas weren't correct it would lead me to believe there are others. It's only a tiny points deduct if a points deduct at all but it would sure irritate me to pay money for a big ball antenna unit or mast and find out it is wrong. I wasn't even aware of this until after the NCRS Regional meet in Waco last year. I got back home and dug out my few antennas to find half were 1969-1972 and the other half were not but all were big ball masts.

Scott Sims
Texas Chapter

[Harmon C.]

Re: C-3 big ball antennas

Scott
I'm with Terry on how great that picture is and I checked the ones I have and they are like the one on the left. I like to keep up on the details of judging so I know what parts are correct for what years. I have a few antennas and they are all like the one on the left which I think is correct for 73-77 in addition to the years Terry said.