The danger in recycling automotive styling cues is that what worked then may not work now. Radio-equipped Sixties cars came with a mast antenna attached to the body by some manner of fastener. Internet viewers apparently revolted upon seeing a similar fixed-mast antenna on the trunk of a 2011 Camaro convertible. With little time to engineer a fix, Chevrolet turned to lifelong HAM radio enthusiast and antenna expert Don Hibbard to solve the problem. The solution is the first ever Chevrolet combination trunk spoiler and radio antenna.
“Where other automakers have tried and failed, Chevy succeeded,” said Hibbard. “We hope to take what we’ve learned with the Camaro Convertible, build on it, and apply it to future vehicles.”
A stubby shark-fin antenna on the trunk will handle reception and transmission of satellite and cellular signals, but the radio antenna is cleverly incorporated in the Camaro rear spoiler. The concealed device will pick up AM-FM radio signals. Please consult your Chevrolet dealer if you start receiving broadcast signals from abandoned Soviet submarine base Balaklava.
The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible arrives in dealer showrooms this February. Radio image by way of these Australian amateur radio enthusiasts. And just so you don’t think we’re making this stuff up, here is word of the Ham Radio Camaro from Autoblog.com.