Question: Antenna on '97, '98 & '99

[Tom2000V]

Talking with a fellow Corvette friend. He ask me why the antenna on the '97 is in the windshield? On the '98 convertible it is a power antenna and on the '99 Fixed Roof Coupe it is a fixed mast antenna. Why the difference? I don't know. Any help? Thanks! Tom

 

[LLC5]

Talking with a fellow Corvette friend. He ask me why the antenna on the '97 is in the windshield? On the '98 convertible it is a power antenna and on the '99 Fixed Roof Coupe it is a fixed mast antenna. Why the difference? I don't know. Any help? Thanks! Tom

I believe that the antenna is in the back glass on the coupe body styles, but I could be wrong. Either way windshield or back glass, it is cheaper for a manufacturer to install the antenna in the glass area, plus it looks a little cleaner. On the convertible model the back glass is too small with the rear defog grid installed and since the vehicle is about $5-$7k more expensive than the coupe an electric antenna was installed to please the buyers paying the extra cash. On the Z06 model a small rubber manual antenna was installed because of the rear glass area limitations and probably more importantly for weight savings vs the electric antenna. On the fixed roof coupe it was installed simply for cost reduction reasons as that model was initally designated as a lighter inexpensive model of C5.

 

[Tom2000V]

Thanks for the answer. It is comprehensive and makes sense. I have sent a copy to my friend that asked the question. Thanks again! Tom