Question: 1979 - Early vs Late

[Elliott]

I keep seeing references to early vs late 79 models. Is it a part specific designation or was there a cut-off in production that designates the car one or the other? For example, I need to pull my power antenna that isn't working. Is there something in the VIN that designates my model early vs late 1979 or are there just certain parts that changed at some point in production, like the antenna, and I simply need to match to the right one? Dave

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

It's part specific in all cases. Talk to your supplier and ask the differences between the two versions.

 

[6880 Mike]

...Is there something in the VIN that designates my model early vs late 1979...

Only the consecutive unit number and that applies only to total production. As an example, if your VIN ends in xx001, you've got a car assembled before x5001. Your car would be "earlier" than the other.

I agree with Vettehead Mikey; early and late refer to the date of the specific running change.

As a rule of thumb, you can check AIM page revision dates for changes in various parts. This will get you in the neighborhood of a date for a specific running change, but keep in mind they could have been installing the new part on the assembly line before the AIM got updated.

 

[mkapp7879]

Regarding your antenna, if your fender has a slight circular depression where the antenna protudes you should have the late 79 'slimline' plastic model. That one has a chrome screw on bezel at the opening.
The early 79 antenna has a wedge fit black plastic bezel and no modification to the fender. That model antenna is aluminum bodied and very securely bolted into the inner fender.

No idea when the antenna change took place.
Some other most obvious 79 running changes were the 85mph speedometer starting about VIN 44600 and the last few hundred 79s getting the 2 door rear compartments instead of 3.

Hmmmm.....http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com...-wanted/115339-fs-several-power-antennas.html

 

[Phill]

i believe the rear storage compartment behind the seats are different. one is a three door(early) and another is a two door(late).

I see someone else noted that should of read through all the post.

 

[Elliott]

Then I have an early 79, black bezel with an inner depression to receive the mast. So do replacement motors come with the new mast? I'm not familiar with power antennas at all. My upper mast section is slightly bent and at some point would like to replace it.

 

[mkapp7879]

None of the vendors offer the original style aluminum housing antenna, you pretty much gotta find one privately. I have 3 of them, tho
If your motor runs it's usually fixable. You say the upper section is bent, are you talking the very top section with the tip on it? That section is still available but getting a little harder to find as it's been discontinued by GM. Vendors still may have some in stock and sell it as a 'repair kit' and I do believe there is a new part number for one that will work.
Does your antenna go up and down?

 

[Elliott]

Yes, the motor runs when I turn off the radio, but the antenna does not go up or down. I have to pull it up to listen to the radio and it typically won't stay all the way up and over time comes about half way down. I think the previous owner may have jammed the antenna down and subsequently just pulled it up and pushed it down when he was done. It is the very top piece of the mast with the tip on it that has a very slight bow in it.

 

[mkapp7879]

That's the part you need then, the top mast section which has a long nylon line attached that feeds in and out of the motor pulley to raise and lower it.
I used to say check with your GM parts dealer but now I'd suggest going with one of the Corvette vendors.
It's really a pretty easy fix.

here's what breaks, that tightly coiled thing. A new one circles it in the pic.

 

[Elliott]

Am I right that the top of the mast does not come with the repair kit? In what little searching I've done I did not see it included or sold separately.

 

[mkapp7879]

Am I right that the top of the mast does not come with the repair kit? In what little searching I've done I did not see it included or sold separately.

What do you mean the top of the mast?
The smallest diameter mast section is connected to the nylon leader as shown in the pic above.

 

[Vette79]

This is off-topic but one difference between the early and late 79 would be the shape of the turn signal lever. The early 79 is bent while the late 79 turn signal lever is straight. The speedometer is different as well. The late 79 only goes to 85mph.

 

[Elliott]

I'm probably not using the correct terms. What I refer to as the mast is the outside antennae with three sections, I believe, and the smallest would be the top one. I need the inside nylon line part you mentioned above, but I also need (if possible) to replace the top section of my antenna because it is slightly bent. I was presuming that the part came with the top antenna piece it would be connected to. I guess I don't know all of the parts and how they are connected. Sorry for the confusion.