I just purchased a 1969 corvette with a radio delete plate on the dash. I have no paperwork on the radio tank sticker unreadable. Did radio delete cars come with the antenna installed?

 

...I'm fairly certain they didn't, plus they would'nt have ignition shielding either.

 

Hmmmm. They certainly didn't need the antenna or the shielding...but were they installed anyway?

 

No antenna but there was a hole in every body for one. Years ago a buddy of mine who was a big Vette dealer took delivery of a transported full of cars one of which was supposed to be a L-88. He was PISSED to find a filled antenna hole on the car (all the other correct parts were on it.) He thought the car was a fake, recently while looking at a buddies real L-88 I obseved the same filler job. I wish I had the $18K back in 1985 to buy the "phony" car, I now think it was a legititmate L-88.

 

I'm just guessing, but it looks like one can surmise all left rear body panels came from the supplier already drilled for an antenna, regardless of how the car was spec'd out...with a radio or radio delete. It was probably cheaper (or simply by contract) for all quarter panels to come drilled rather than stop the line to not drill only a few.

 

Here's one for sale that the seller says radio delete. If you look, you'll see no aerial.

http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/...-200802-000003

 

So, what about the radio interferrence shielding? Was that a "standard" factory build item for all cars, too? [I just can imagine GM leaving the chrome stuff off because of the radio delete option.]

 

According to this guy, no ignition shielding came with radio delete option.

http://www.usfreeads.com/1080027-cls.html

 

That would be a real bummer if you got the "radio delete" option because you wanted to put a GOOD stereo system in the car....and didn't get the shielding you needed to keep the sound clean (or the wiring for the antenna).

 

thats what is confusing me about this whole thing does radio delete mean nothing for the radio installed or just a plate over the dash bezel.

 

Radio delete was mostly used for the race cars. The L88 cars the ZR1 cars and a radio was of no use in these cars and just added weight. All the equipment was just not there. The sheilding and the antenna wiring was not installed. The ignition sheilding was pretty much a joke anyway as it did very little to reduce radio interference.

 

Anyone know where I can get a radio delete plate?
Thanks

 

Ebay

 

Boy, there's a deal!

 

I have a '70 ZR1 that came sans radio, and have owned a '69 350/350 car that came with U69, so I have some experience with both scenarios. Here are some things to look for:

All panels were drilled for antennas, but since the bulk of the cars built were ordered with radios, only the "delete" cars got the holes filled. Look at the hole on your car from the under side: you might be able to see the edge of the original hole/glass and where the "filler" meet.

No distributor shielding was installed on non-radio cars - but the spark plug shields were installed on SB's. No "V" shields were installed either.

No need for a resistor on the distributor, so it wasn't installed - same for turn signals, etc.

No radio ground straps required or installed - check for straps at the first exhaust hanger.

Look for evidence of speakers being installed: they shouldn't be there, and the holes where they attach should be clean w/o evidence of speaker install, hole threads scarred, etc.

Look for the multiplex unit under the passenger side dash - shouldn't be there.

Also, look at the plate that they used to secure the antenna under the rear quarter. If it's GM installed, it'd have a grounding strap and aftermarket units or a Bubba installed OTC parts probably won't have a strap installed. Also look to see if the antenna cable (if it has one) is OEM or aftermarket as well as the way it's installed. Zip ties securing the cable to the frame are a good indication it was added later. A factory installed job will be nicely dressed and out of sight.

 

I agree

 

Thanks for all the info because this car has all the markings that it once had a radio. i am happy the dealer I bought it from also said he didnt think it was an original radio delete car.