1957 Rear Antennas

In 1957, one of the more dealer-installed options was a rear antenna. If a single manual rear antenna was installed, it was installed on the left or driver's side. A second right-side antenna (dummy) was often installed for that fantastic dual-rear antenna look. The rear antennas really dress up the rear of the '57s as they had the same rearward angle as the tail fins, which exaggerates that "finny" look even more!

Parts List

• 57-136060-1 1957 Left Rear Radio Antenna
• 57-136059-1 1957 Right Rear Radio Antenna
• 57-136063-1 1957 Right Rear Accessory Antenna Bezel

Tools Needed

• 18" Drill Bit
• 316" Drill Bit
• 78" Hole Saw
• 1-38" Hole Saw
• Phillips Screw Driver
• Electric Drill

Time Frame:

• 3 Hours

Instructions

Image 1: The rear antennas on a 1957 Chevy mount on top of the rear quarter to the left and right of the trunk lid.

Image 2: The antenna kits include a template that may be used to locate the left or right antenna. The template is marked on only one side of the...

Image 3: There is a dotted rectangle on the template to the inside of the larger hole for the antenna mast. Cut this section of the template away. The notch will be used later to locate the second half of the template that will locate the hole on the inside of the trunk for the antenna mast.

Image 4: The template will be face down when installing the left or driver-side antenna. The template fits the contour of the trunk lid opening. Use masking tape to hold the template in place...

Image 5: The second half of the template is used to locate the hole in the trunk wall where the mast of the antenna will go through. Cut the end of the template leaving the marked tab to match up to the notch on the main template. Poke a hole in the template where it is marked for the hole in the inner trunk wall.

Image 6: There are lines on the template that will line up with the lip on the quarter for the trunk lid opening and the stamped lines on the inner trunk wall. We transferred these lines to the blank side of the template since we are installing the antenna on the left side.

Image 7: With the template taped in place, mark the inner trunk with a hammer and chisel.

Image 8: Remove the templates and using a sharp 7/8" hole saw, drill the front hole on the top of the quarter for the antenna mast. Using a sharp 3/16" drill bit, drill the rear hole for the alignment on the antenna bezel. When drilling through any surfaces always have the drill at a low speed to keep from bubbling.

Image 9: Using a sharp 1-3/8" hole saw, drill the hole in the inner trunk wall for the antenna mast.

Image 10: There is a clamp at the bottom of the mast that will stabilize the antenna when mounted.

Image 11: Feed the antenna mast up through the new hole in the inner trunk with the coaxial connector facing forward. The grommet on the antenna mast will match up to the angle of the inner trunk.

Image 12: Install the antenna bezel nut and tighten the nut only as tight as you can get it with your hands.

Image 13: Using the bracket on the antenna as a guide, drill two 1/8" holes in the inner trunk. Using the two supplied #10 hex head screws, attach the antenna mast to the inner trunk.

Image 14: The antenna coaxial screws onto the antenna mast with a female nut. Following the diagram, route the coaxial forward to the radio.

Image 15: To dress the car up even more, a right-hand antenna can be installed. Using the same template, install the rear antenna on the right-hand side of the car. You may choose to use the "Best" dummy antenna PIN 3 8 - 22 on the right side, or, you can save a few dollars and install the less expensive "Good" left antenna on the right simply by using the right side bezel PIN 38 - 26 with the left side antenna PIN 3 8-30. If you decide to do this, simply discard the coaxial cable when installing on the right side. With two rear antennas, your '57 will have a great classic look!