1981 Antenna
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
1981 Antenna
Recently got a 1981 C3. The antenna was completely missing. I had taken pics and sent to ecklers and had asked what I needed. They sold me a fixed mast which does not appear to be correct. The bezel for it has a notch that the car does not have. I am thinking it may have been a power antenna. There is a green, white, and gray wire that has been cut underneath by the antenna cable. Are these for the power antenna? Also, this radio has a cb. Most of the power antennas I have seen are for a system w/o cb. I just want to get the right parts and fix it correctly. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,682
Likes: 3,135
From: Shamong, NJ
To start with, from looking at the antenna cable in your car, I'd say that it started life with a power antenna. I think that the power antenna was required with the optional CB radios.
Secondly your right, the only power antennas currently available are non CB. GM discontinued the CB power antenna years ago. The CB antenna has not been repro-ed, and likely won't be anytime soon. If you want a power CB antenna, you'll have to try to find a good used one, not an easy task.
Finally, the bezel they sent you is the wrong one for a 78-82, with a fixed mast antenna. Unfortunately, it is the only bezel available to use on an 81. GM originally had a flat round bezel, for use on 78-82 with the fixed antenna. Like the CB power antenna, the bezel for 78-82's has never been reproduced, and original ones are very hard to find.
You can make the angled 69-77 bezel, with the the pin on it, work on your 81, by either putting a notch in your body, or cutting the pin off of the bezel.
Secondly your right, the only power antennas currently available are non CB. GM discontinued the CB power antenna years ago. The CB antenna has not been repro-ed, and likely won't be anytime soon. If you want a power CB antenna, you'll have to try to find a good used one, not an easy task.
Finally, the bezel they sent you is the wrong one for a 78-82, with a fixed mast antenna. Unfortunately, it is the only bezel available to use on an 81. GM originally had a flat round bezel, for use on 78-82 with the fixed antenna. Like the CB power antenna, the bezel for 78-82's has never been reproduced, and original ones are very hard to find.
You can make the angled 69-77 bezel, with the the pin on it, work on your 81, by either putting a notch in your body, or cutting the pin off of the bezel.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
I have a 81, if you want to go factory you need this
Antenna
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...late-1982.html
Only need bracket but can't buy it alone. This bracket is located on front of rear inner fender wall, you may it but can't see in your pic.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1978-1982.html
Top nut
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50g&ukey=52208
If you go aftermarket
Autozone has a metra power antenna fully automatic $60.00 and you need a $10.00 antenna cable extension
.
Extension runs from back of radio to antenna and you run a power antenna turn on wire at the same time.
12 volt hot all the time
12 volt hot with key on
Ground
I did the factory thing but the reproductions I had were poor quality then I went with Metra and very happy with quality
Antenna
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...late-1982.html
Only need bracket but can't buy it alone. This bracket is located on front of rear inner fender wall, you may it but can't see in your pic.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1978-1982.html
Top nut
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50g&ukey=52208
If you go aftermarket
Autozone has a metra power antenna fully automatic $60.00 and you need a $10.00 antenna cable extension
.
Extension runs from back of radio to antenna and you run a power antenna turn on wire at the same time.
12 volt hot all the time
12 volt hot with key on
Ground
I did the factory thing but the reproductions I had were poor quality then I went with Metra and very happy with quality
Last edited by spedaleden; Oct 20, 2016 at 08:52 PM.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
To start with, from looking at the antenna cable in your car, I'd say that it started life with a power antenna. I think that the power antenna was required with the optional CB radios.
Secondly your right, the only power antennas currently available are non CB. GM discontinued the CB power antenna years ago. The CB antenna has not been repro-ed, and likely won't be anytime soon. If you want a power CB antenna, you'll have to try to find a good used one, not an easy task.
Finally, the bezel they sent you is the wrong one for a 78-82, with a fixed mast antenna. Unfortunately, it is the only bezel available to use on an 81. GM originally had a flat round bezel, for use on 78-82 with the fixed antenna. Like the CB power antenna, the bezel for 78-82's has never been reproduced, and original ones are very hard to find.
You can make the angled 69-77 bezel, with the the pin on it, work on your 81, by either putting a notch in your body, or cutting the pin off of the bezel.
Secondly your right, the only power antennas currently available are non CB. GM discontinued the CB power antenna years ago. The CB antenna has not been repro-ed, and likely won't be anytime soon. If you want a power CB antenna, you'll have to try to find a good used one, not an easy task.
Finally, the bezel they sent you is the wrong one for a 78-82, with a fixed mast antenna. Unfortunately, it is the only bezel available to use on an 81. GM originally had a flat round bezel, for use on 78-82 with the fixed antenna. Like the CB power antenna, the bezel for 78-82's has never been reproduced, and original ones are very hard to find.
You can make the angled 69-77 bezel, with the the pin on it, work on your 81, by either putting a notch in your body, or cutting the pin off of the bezel.
Thank you for the info! I think I will probably grind the notch off and avoid messing with the body. The kit ecklers sold me basically has the antenna, cable, bezel and the bezel nut. Do those go directly to the fiberglass? I have seen some images on the net that indicate a metal ground plate goes on the underside and a ground strap. Are those parts I need as well? Thanks again!
