Maybe a cool idea?.. Submarined Antenna

[66 BLAKE 96]

In the midst of messy body work and prep to paint the fastback, I had an Idea that I think is pretty cool. I've been re-assesing everything about the exterior, such as what to keep and what to shave. (keeping emblems, ditching rocker trim, front and rear bumper guards, and reverse lights, adding GT-thru-valance exhaust and Shelby hood scoop).

Anywho, Since the fenders are off right now, I have a feeling that there is plenty of room behind the fender, and plenty of slack in the antenna wire itself to lower the entire antenna assembly so that only 1/2 an inch or so sticks up above the stock chrome bezel that goes on top of the fender. It'll take a little bit of fabrication to fill the space, attach it and so on, but it's very doable.

The final product will look like a power antenna, and still have enough slack, that if I need good radio reception, it will telescope up well above the roof line. I have little desire to buy, install, and add yet more tacked-on wiring for a power antenna, and mostly use the 6 disc CD changer in the trunk. I'd just like to clean up the exterior a bit.

Whatcha think?

 

[bud4660]

Just go ahead and french the thing if your going to do that much work.

 

[Pakrat]

Hunh, maybe it is just my car, but my telescoping antenna rod easily lifts off of the base which then leaves behind little more than a half an inch of a stud that the hollow antenna slips over. Have you tried seperating it? I discovered this on mine while trying to get it thru the grommet on the cover once. Ironically my car seems to get better reception with out it, so I leave the antenna in the trunk most of the time now? Just a thought for a simillar look with no fabbing involved.

 

[66 BLAKE 96]

Just go ahead and french the thing if your going to do that much work.

Heheh, is there some sort of internal antenna so I can still get halfway decent reception? If there is, I wouldn't mind frenching it.

Pak-> the 65-66 antenna is one solid piece. Can't separate it.

 

[gp001]

I would think the 3 wires for the power antenna would be easier. Less fab work to run wires

 

[65stanger]

Just get rid of the stock antennae and put one of those boomarang-shaped "limo" antennaes on your rear deck lid....you can paint it to match the car!

 

[monk302]

Heheh, is there some sort of internal antenna so I can still get halfway decent reception? If there is, I wouldn't mind frenching it.

Pak-> the 65-66 antenna is one solid piece. Can't separate it.

I had a friend who had a 1968 Camaro and he ditched his exterior antenna for one that mounted onto the top of the windshield or somewhere like that. It worked great for his purpose. Keep in mind though that I am only about 30 miles as a crow flies from New York so we have a powerful signal.

 

[66 BLAKE 96]

I would think the 3 wires for the power antenna would be easier. Less fab work to run wires

Maybe, but I'm reluctant to add more wires to my fire hazard, uh, I mean wiring system until I can replace/improve what is already there. Plus, power antennas probably aren't free.

65stanger; ya might want to cut down on the caffine there buddy.

I had a friend who had a 1968 Camaro and he ditched his exterior antenna for one that mounted onto the top of the windshield or somewhere like that. It worked great for his purpose. Keep in mind though that I am only about 30 miles as a crow flies from New York so we have a powerful signal.

That could be cool! DFW is the 5th largest radio market, so I'm not hurting for signal too bad. I wonder if that is completely hidden behind moulding or something maybe? I suppose this kind of antenna isn't free either.

 

[65stanger]

65stanger; ya might want to cut down on the caffine there buddy.

At least I didn't follow thru on the "submarine" theme and recommend you install a periscope and attach the antennae to that!

 

[monk302]

That could be cool! DFW is the 5th largest radio market, so I'm not hurting for signal too bad. I wonder if that is completely hidden behind moulding or something maybe? I suppose this kind of antenna isn't free either.

Honestly, I don't think it was that much. We were both in high school so it wasn't like we had loads of money to put into them. I don't know where to tell you to look for them but give it a try. Maybe call up some stereo shops. When I paint my car which it doesn't need to be done for a while, I am definitely going to put an antenna like that and weld up the hole. I hate the look of stock Mustang antennas. I feel like I have a CB mounted up.

 

[gp001]

Maybe, but I'm reluctant to add more wires to my fire hazard, uh, I mean wiring system until I can replace/improve what is already there. Plus, power antennas probably aren't free.

My buddy got one off e-bay for 20 + 5 shipping. ANd you can just run it fused so you wont burn anything up (but if youdo burn up your car I'll buy the fastback shell )

 

[66 BLAKE 96]

Bumped into this one while I was searching for something else. Just so everybody knows, I did the right thing and shaved the antenna altogether. I don't miss it one bit.

 

[65stanger]

Bumped into this one while I was searching for something else. Just so everybody knows, I did the right thing and shaved the antenna altogether. I don't miss it one bit.

So, where are the details and pics of how you did it?

 

[cardude]

Just get rid of the stock antennae and put one of those boomarang-shaped "limo" antennaes on your rear deck lid....you can paint it to match the car!

sounds like you have been spending too much of your time on the ricer car sites!!!

 

[Pakrat]

Yeah, and further more how's the reception? I honestly prefer to listen to the local classic rock station over the same 12 CD's. I probably shouldn't have even installed it, but my wife won't ride in it without her music either. I was thinking of relocating it to the rear fender ala Shelby when I repaint, i think it looks better there, but I don't think I could do without it.

 

[DarkBuddha]

I missed this thread first time around, but I installed a electric telescoping antenna from an '80's Tbrid. It barely fits in the fender area (because of the way the door opens into that area), but it works great and I used my original bezel, so it looks stock. Cost: $2.50 from the u-pull-it yard.

 

[66 BLAKE 96]

So, where are the details and pics of how you did it?

There aren't any pics or write-up, but suffice it to say that I did not pioneer any metal working technology to pull it off. I'm sure it's the same methods people use to fill holes all the time. The only thing different I did was to keep the antenna, but mount it behind the fender, underneath it's stock location.

Yeah, and further more how's the reception? I honestly prefer to listen to the local classic rock station over the same 12 CD's. I probably shouldn't have even installed it, but my wife won't ride in it without her music either. I was thinking of relocating it to the rear fender ala Shelby when I repaint, i think it looks better there, but I don't think I could do without it.

FM reception remains outstanding. I really don't notice a difference. As I've said before, I'm smack in the middle of a big radio market, so there are plenty of big antennas to broadcast 'round here. AM is kind of spotty. I can still pick up most everything I want, but definately not as strong as before. All that said, I'm usually rockin' the CD changer when I'm in that car, so it doesn't matter much.

 

[mcbride66coupe]

HIDE IT! Getting rid of your ugly factory antenna is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to improve the looks of your vehicle. AutoLoc's exclusive HAB Hidden Antenna offers all the performance and quality FM reception of an external antenna without breaking up the clean lines of your vehicle. Works as well as a standard antenna (except for AM) but without the unsightly rod and mast. A great addition to any custom vehicle for an affordable price. Backed by a limited LIFETIME WARRANTY.


this is for a hidden antenna i found at http://www.restoremustangs.com

 

[rbohm]

you can also mod your antenna so that the tip of the antenna is flush with the body work when it is in the lowered position. i have seen this mod done on street rods. best to use a power antenna though.

 

[Pakrat]

So Blake, are you saying that basically you put it upside down on the inside in the closed position?