VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Antenna location

So while wasting some time at work today I was admiring several 51 Chevys on the web and started to freak as I noticed almost all had their antennas coming out of the drivers side fender. Mine comes out of the passenger side of my fleet line. I did calm down a bit when I finally found one that did as well.
What's up with drivers side verses passenger?
I'm not going to be filling and drilling holes at this point am I?

My 1951 has the antenna on the driver's side fender. All of the 1951 and 1952 Chevrolets that we have owned had the antenna on the drivers' side fender as well. I have seen many 1951 Chevrolets over the years and those vehicles with radios had the antennas on the driver's side front fender.

I have looked at my 1951 literature and factory photos and the cars in the literature with radios also have the anntena on the driver's side fender.

The 1955 was the first to have the antenna on the passenger side. Prior to that all Chevrolets with a whip antena were left side.

As Gene states, prior to '55 radio antenna on the driver's side. For a prior to 55 car (for instance a 1951), I'm quite certain if the antenna is on the passenger side it indicates the radio is not factory installed. Most dealer installed radio's had the antenna on passenger side. Also often not a factory Chevrolet radio. Other brand like Motorola, etc.

Bill.

So from a show or judging standpoint I have a hole to fill and one to drill to be correct?

If that's the case any measurements for positioning and body putty would be appreciated!

Not certain ANY aftermarket radio was available back in 1951.

There were several brands of after market radios for 1951/52 Chevrolets. Would mount in the dash just like the Chevrolet unit. The Motorola was the most common.

Several aftermarket radios were available even further back than 1951. Motorola was the most popular, however Philco, RCA and others offered radios. Several, particularly the Motorola, were even installed by the dealer. Many by the owner's request.

there is a 1951 radio on ebay right now with 11 hours left bidding is low at the moment here is the number #186752010259 you might want to look at it

I found it as item number 180762010259.

For the antenna installation you could look in the Chevrolet Radio Shop and Service Manual for 1951 Passenger Cars and Trucks pgs 4 & 5.
(can be found at the http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/)
Possibly someone has the template mentioned and you could get a copy of it to use.

dads51 - I can send you a photo with dimensions from my 1950 Bel Air in a couple days, when my computer is back up and running. Send me an email if interested.

Roger

I guess if it were mine, and I wanted the car original, I would leave the antenna where the dealer installed it. Would make a good conversation piece when someone tells you it's in the wrong place!

Thanks for all the replies, I do have an original radio already installed, etc.
To me it seems more correct/right to be on the passenger side so I never questioned it. Not crazy about cranking up the mig on my primer job etc. It would be easy to just move on! Even the Navajos make at least on flaw in their blankets and rugs they weave on purpose so the Gods won't get angry with them for appearing to be God like!


The missing one still not answered is will a passenger sided antenna be a deduction?
Regardless of factory or dealer installed? Seems to me there is a support bracket of sorts underneath the fender as well. Off to the cold garage to check.

The Chevy Radio manual states to install the template on the LEFT fender, I'm thinking any other location would be considered incorrect.

Unless you have Chevrolet documentation to prove that the radio antenna could also be installed on the passenger side, during judging points will definitely be deducted.

I recall all the aftermarket radio companies in the 60's, thought the 50's were factory units only. Good info.

Ok no bracket under the fender just a hole
So I guess it's time to wheel out the mig and the bondo!
It's too early in the resto for that kind of mistake!

You know part of me really hates this forum!

How about 1941? Mine has the two hole mount and it is mounted on the passenger side.

I, too, don't want to get this wrong and would like to do any filler and drilling before I get it painted. How many points off? Seems to me that the dang thing could go on either side owing to the buyers preference. And, accordingly, no points off.

With the antenna on the left side, along with the review mirror, ambient tempreture gage, peep mirror and spotlight. It would seem also that all those contraptions would tend to make the left side look too "busy" whilst the passenger side wouldn't have anything (bare as a baby's butt) to compensate but, maybe, say...a rearview mirror. There could be enought stuff on the left side to make the whole car list to the left and apt to roll off a Tennessee hillside. What y-all got to say about that? Boxcars!
Charlie

Just thinking about this, back in the day, how many "on the road cars" did you ever see with accessories galore on the car. Not many is my guess.

I don't get the meaning of your statement. The fact of the matter is that all the accesories were available in 41 and one could have them all on the car at once. Did Chevrolet figure that since nobody would have them all that the left side was a good place to mount the antenna?

I understand that the reel antenna would be mounted where the driver could wind it up and down but no such problem with the simple telescoping one. Also, because if it wuz mounted on the right side and the hubby wanted to fine turn a distant station he'd have to ask the missus to do the antenna winding. She's propbably say something like, "I don't want to. Why don't you just turn the thing off. You never talk to me anymore. Why's that. You talk to your car buddies all the time. Why do you have to listen to WCKY all the time? The music is corney and we don't need no baby chicks or talking harmonicas," or words to that effect." Yes, the engineers were probably married.

All other things being equal, how would it go for judging one car with the antenna on the left side but the wrong antenna vs one with the antenna on the right side but the proper one? Who would get the nod? Hmmm?
Charlie

My statement was somewhat "off topic" based on your antenna concern. I think you need to be mounting it on the left side, though, based on photos I have seen.

Whe you stated the left side of your ride was cluttered with options, it took my mind back to when our antiques were on the road and ..... never did I see ONE car loaded with a vast variety of GM accessories, but we see them now in car shows. Maybe a visor, maybe this or that, but not "many" accessories on one vehicle.

I bought my 51 in 2000 from the second owner, car was only repainted, not restored ..... but this second owner installed many accessories on the 51, thought it looked like a rolling advertisement for GM accessories.

Now it's come to my attention that the antenna on my '47 is on the "wrong" side...guess it was "dealer" installed...found a radio "delete" in the glove box !

In the late 40's the radio shop that I worked for did the contract work for the Chevrolet Agency. We were given the "kit" that the Agency was required to purchase from Chevrolet for all the radio work. As the youngest repair man I was the car radio guru. I installed the radios and serviced them as needed. If a car came in for a radio, and it had a spotlight on the drivers side, I mounted the antenna on the right side, as it would interfere with the spotlight on the drivers side. Spotlights were very popular as we were in "open range" country and cows and pigs liked to sleep on the asphalt that was still warm from the sun at night. As soon as I hit the country roads at night, on came my spotlight.

Ray,
Owing to your knowledge on this topic, I think I will leave mine mounted on the right side. I have a correct spotlight that will be mounted on the left side. Thanks for your information on this. If the car is ever judged, and a few points are dropped because of the right side mounted antenna then I will be disappointed but I suppose I can live with it.
Thanks,
Charlie