C1 57 Antenna Mast Bone Stock Rebuilding.

[Alan W.]

1956-57 Judging Guide 5th edition
Exterior Section, page 42, #16 Radio Antenna
Word for Word Quote
"Antenna mast is telescoping three-piece design and is mounted on the crown of the left rear fender, just ahead of the tailamp housing. The mounting nut and spacer are black plastic and the nut base is knurled. The mirror ball and shaft are magnetic carbon steel, not stainless.
Measurements; approximately 8-10 inches fully collapsed and 43-52 inches fully extended. Base section movement up/down approximately 2 inches is Judged during Operations. Top ball is steel and 1/4 to 5/16 inch diameter."

1 Nothing is said about rings or no rings?
2 open/closed length/height? "approximately"?

If a old factory one is torn apart they are full of road grime and white oxide...this makes them stand up taller then the factory 8" above the fender.... and not fully extend to the factory length. Why are the judged standards so lax on this easy take-a-part Part. The repops are not even close to length even when reworked. Brass nut on the repops.
So why are the STANDS so low on this part?
I can give you photo's and step by step on this reworking of the correct part.

Please do not take this post as a slam. I am only "judging" off of the 5 mast I have and taking apart today. I have bought 13 orginals to do more reasearch on. Less than 1% of the parts produced.

Thank you

Alan

[Alan W.]

Re: C1 57 Antenna Mast Bone Stock Rebuilding.

1st picture
Stock is longer in every section. 60" total of all 3 sections pulled out
Repop not even close.
2nd picture
stock unit disassembled
3rd picture
stock at top of photo

info only hope it helps someone.

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 57 Antenna Mast Bone Stock Rebuilding.

Thanks for your time and info I learn every time some one go's out of thier way to share

[Paul M.]

Re: C1 57 Antenna Mast Bone Stock Rebuilding.

Alan, There are mistakes in the new judging manual that need to be corrected. I have taken close to a hundred antennas apart, maybe more. Original 56 thru 60 antennas came both with and without rings. on the mast. I would say they are pretty much split 50/50. The balls on the top were NOT steel but brass. Just take a file to any one. Also the lengths of the original masts were not the same, they varied also. If you look in past issues of the Restorer maybe 5 or 6 years back I wrote an article on antennas. If you can't locate it I think I still have it in my computer and can send it to you. If you would like to talk about it please let me know and I will email my phone number to you.

Paul

[Alan W.]

Re: C1 57 Antenna Mast Bone Stock Rebuilding.

I love this NCRS board!!!
Thank you for the correct info Paul. I know everyone I speak with says your the best. I have your number, your doing a set of windshield post for me.
Yes I seen the brass balls too.
I have The Corvette Restorer Disk 56-57 edition now and will read every article before posting again.
I sure would like for some of the repop companies to ask the proper people how to make it before adding the headaches of this hobbie with subpar parts.

Hey get off the computer and get my fathers winshield post done, would ya.....just kidding.

Thank you for the services and knowledge you provide!!!!!!!

Alan Whitaker

[Paul M.]

Re: C1 57 Antenna Mast Bone Stock Rebuilding.

Alan, They were shipped back to you on the 8th. You should have them any day.

Paul