Can anyone specify why a 1938 Delco radio head made for a Chevrolet will or will not work with a Chevrolet radio.

The Delco head will work with some of the radios, however the finish plate on the dash must also be Delco and not Chevrolet.

Thanks for the reply Ray. I have an NOS Delco head with plate, knobs, cables, and wires and was hoping to mate it with Chevrolet radio. It looks like the dial could even be doctored to include the Chevy emblem instead of the Delco lettering. Which '38 radios would this mate with?

That control head is compatible with Model 985284 and 985283.

Thanks Ray. Any leads on a refurbished radio unit?

You might try the "chevradioman".

Ray, what radios do those model #'s refer to? (5 tube, 6 tube, superhet, deluxe?) What antenna would be correct for '38 HA coupe?

Radios are identified by Model numbers and not tubes.

The original antenna was a pair of under-the-running-board type. To my knowledge, that antenna is not being reproduced. The popular antenna used now is the two post side cowl antenna.