Hello, does anyone have any photos of their stock rear power antenna on the body, fully retracted and fully extended ? Also looking for suggestions on how to best drill out the hole in a new quarter to mount the antenna. thanks
I'd be interested to see them also , my car is getting painted soon and i was thinking of moving the antenna from the front fender to the rear quarter.
I'm guessing the rear mounting hole would be the same for a 68. I could get you some pics with detailed measurements if it would help. I do not have an original power ant. but a modern type mounted in the factory location...
LOL I forgot the car wasn't here! Went out in the garage, grabbed a tape measure had my son getting the camera and then it hit me, the car is at the shop!!!!! LOLOLOL
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
Also, does anyone know if the original power antenna extends automatically when the ignition is turned on or is there a switch that extends/retracts it ? I have a switch in my box of parts that I don't know where it goes, it could be the antenna switch ?? Any ideas also how to best drill the ~1" hole in the quarter to mount the antenna base ?
cool thanks alot ! I used to see those being used on that "American Chopper" show where they were always drilling holes with those things. Now I get to actually use one, that looks like it will do the trick !!
'69 fenders are different from '67-8. This might put the location of the hole in a slightly different location. I'll bet there's a template for the '69 location. I can't recall what switches the power antenna. It might be the radio on/off.
I see in the NPD catalog that you can order the rear mount location template. i was also wondering what it would look like with the rear wing on the trunk lid,so the hole has to be ahead of that.
Here are two photos of 69 Firebirds that I found that have the rear antenna (out of 100's of photos I have only 2 had the rear antenna). You can see one is fully retracted and the other is not. My 69' coupe is all original and it has the rear power antenna. I can take photos and measurements if someone wants them (it is real cold out in the garage right now though). Soon I will replace the rear quarter and so I will measure the placement off of the original quarter, and now I know how to drill the new hole. I was just wondering which retraction is factory ? My antenna is broken at the base, but from the best I can tell, it does not fully retract (looks like the photo with the partial retraction). The label on the power antenna base is not clear as it is faded and so I can't tell if it is factory or not, but it sure looks like it.. Any ideas ????
closer inspection of my old one, looks like the largest barrel piece that is lowest on the antenna was probably seized into the main part of the antenna base, therefore would explain why it doesn't fully retract (like the one photo shows the partially retracted antenna). That also happens to be where it broke off but that was probably just from the last guy who owned it sitting in his garage for 10 years. I'm going to take it apart and see if I can get that seized piece out and just make the antenna an inch shorter. I've heard they are near impossible to find a new one or original...
anyone know where to find a good mast replacement ????
Q: '69 Power Antennas My '69 Firebird was originally equipped with a power antenna. When I bought the car a bent antenna with motor was unbolted and sitting in the trunk. I am not positive this assembly is the original one, but it correctly fits the mounting bracket and the wiring harness. The mast is chrome, four segments, and has a hex head which is rounded at the very top. A metal case fits over the lower 10.5" of the mast and is attached to the motor assembly by three screws. The code 'P - 6050' is cast on this case, just below is the name 'Empire' in script, followed by '1 - T'. The motor case has '11 - 22 8AAXA' cast on it in a semi circle. Can anyone tell me about these codes, if they match codes on other Firebirds or codes in a reference book?
Two other points that someone can probably clear up: 1) I was told by a guy trying to sell me a new mast that there was a different power antenna for convertibles vs. coupes; and 2) if I reinstalled the antenna described above the mast would probably stick out of the rear fender 6+ inches when fully retracted, does this sound right?
A: The Optional Power Antenna for the '69 Firebird was part number 9796289. The 'Drive' Assy itself was the same for the coupe or conv. The Mast was unique to the '69 Firebird (pt. # 546557). Only the '68-'69 Tempest had different Adaptors/Brackets for the Conv. No components were different on the '69 Firebird conv. Empire was the Supplier for most Pontiac Power Antenna's. '11 - 22 8AAXA' ...this would be the Assy Build Date for the Antenna (Nov.22'68) The problem with the Mast would be.... since the only one being reproduced is the Mast common to the 'A' Bodies and Full Size Pontiacs (orig. # 541963) yu may find that fully retracted, your mast may stick out a little more than the original. The Firebird used a shorter mast than the Tempest, Grand Prix, Full-Size. With a little modification to the bottom part, you could duplicate your original.
the more I look at my car now, I'm not so sure it is "original". I guess the only way to be sure would be to look at the PHS docs. Really would like to see some photos from someone who is 100% sure they have the factory power antenna on a 69' (or 67-68 if they were the same). From the photos I posted it is not clear of the exact placement of the antenna, also my antenna doesn't match the description of the Q&A I posted above (not to say I don't just have an 80's aftermarket antenna)..hmmm ?!?!?!?
Q: '68 Antenna Placement Where does the 68 antenna go? I have seen front and back. How do I find out the correct placement for that?
A: ...The Front Fender (RH) Antenna was the standard location on '68 Firebirds Optional, was a Rear Quarter Mounted Antenna (RH). This will be noted on both the Body Broadcast Sheet (if you find it in your car) or on the Billing History. Parts are available (repro) for both applications.
As far as antenna location... I use the Camaro assembly manual. It gives the exact dimension for the proper location (I assume Firebirds were located using the same).
A: To take you back to our original discussion, someone requested information on the factory location of the rear mounted antenna. Someone volunteered to measure some of his cars to determine the factory mounting location and send them to me. I, in turn, was to verify that his measurements and the factory drawing from a 68 Camaro assembly manual were the same. The confusing part was that the factory drawing listed the location at 114.25" PV and 28.94" PV with no description of what PV was. I suspected that the 114.25" was from the firewall back and 28.94" PV was from the centerline of the car.
I have confirmed that this is mostly true. The 28.94" is indeed from the centerline if the car. The 114.25" is from the front edge of the air box where the heater-A/C fan motor is located. This seam sticks out approximable one inch beyond the firewall. So if you want to use these measurements, use 113.25 from the firewall back.
He measured from the back of the car forward on three cars and got measurements of 14 1/2", 15 1/4", and 15 1/4". He also noted that along with the 1.12" diameter hole there is a small notch. This notch corresponds with the notch on the antenna base (called the bezel key) and I suppose it's used to insure the correct rotation of the base.
The measurements for this notch is 0.14" wide by 0.12" long (approximately 1/8" by 1/8th") and rotated 75 degrees from horizontal (i.e., if standing behind the car while looking down at the hole it would be in approximately the 5 o-clock position.
He also noted that, although the hole and the notch were the same size in all cars, the notch was at a slightly different angle. This, along with the slightly different hole locations, gives reasons to believe that the factory used a hand punch and measureing tape to make the hole and not a machine.
The bottom line is this; if you mark the location for the hole approximable 15 1/4" from the back and 27" from the centerline of the car, drill a 1 1/8" hole with an 1/8" notch at 5 o-clock, you'll do as good as the factory.
A: I double checked my previous dimensions for locating the '68 Firebird Rear Antenna Hole in the RH Rr. Qtr. Panel since some questions have come about differences seen with other originally equiped First Generation Firebirds:
1.125 dia hole 1.875 CL to Qtr. Edge at Trunk Gap 1.750 CL to Qtr. Character Line (outboard) 15.375 CL to Btm Edge of Qtr. Panel (at Trunk Edge Line) (CL = Center Line)
As far as a "correct" measurement, there is no true correct answer. I've measured four Firebirds with rear antenna and no two were exactly the same. The process on the assembly line was not a true science but instead involved the placement of a template to roughly guide the location to stamp the hole for the rear antenna. It was a hastily done process like a lot of other processes on an assembly line during that era.
I was looking at my car which i put a trans am wing on the trunk lid . i don't think a power antenna would work because you would have to make sure the antenna is fully retracted in order for the trunk lid to open. might just have to leave it on the front fender. 69 birdinamillionpieces you have been doing some homework!
My car has the factory installed power antenna. It is switched by a switch on the dash. It does not automatically extend or retract. It sits well up above the quarter panel when fully retracted.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
I did not realize the OEM unit did not fully retract, or is yours just not working 100%? If it does stay up like that, seems as though that would be contrary to it's purpose...
Thanks for the photos !!! Looks like mine is not the original power antenna (very different from yours), and it also is sitting back farther than the stock location. Probably was a late 70's early 80's add-on when it was scooped and flared back then. Hmm, decisions, decisions, what to do when the new quarter is installed... Note: I haven't stripped the front fender yet, but it doesn't appear to have any work done in the area where the stock front antenna could have been there. Maybe they were just real good at hiding it back then..
Two possibilities, the fender could be a replacement from a rear antenna car, or the fender could be aftermarket, which are not always drilled for antenna.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
I was thinking that too... Both front fenders have white paper labels (1" x 2")that are attached where the hood hinges mount (under the hood hinges), they are not legible but that is all I can find (one almost looks like it sais "General Motors" but not sure it's very faint). Does this sound like stock fenders ? Keep in mind, I've owned the car 15 years and before that it sat in my neighbors garage for 10 years untouched, so if they are aftermarkets they would be 25+ years old. It is possible though, I recall he was racing the car down the street when we were kids and he hit the island at the end of the street, I'm not sure it damaged the fenders, I need to track him down to get some history on it.. maybe they did a real good job patching it, but I won't know until I get ready to do the body work and strip that area.
My car has the factory installed power antenna. It is switched by a switch on the dash. It does not automatically extend or retract. It sits well up above the quarter panel when fully retracted.
It sits above the fender because the mast sections run the length above and below (aprox) the fender. Fully extended the mast is 38 to 42 inches.
My 69 convertible (purportedly) has the original power antenna, and its mast does not fully retract as per the photo of the light blue convertible. I was not surprised to see this, since my '65 Corvette also came with a power antenna (standard with the radio option) and its mast does not fully retract either. A question for someone with an original power antenna, how quickly does it extend/retract? Mine is fairly slow (much slower than the repro I have in the 'Vette), but that may be a lubrication/cleaning or electrical contact issue.
Interesting that thing is tall !! Probably did that to compensate for the lack of signal strength in the older radio designs, who knows or their trying to contact the aliens... Anyrate, definately for sure mine is not original, it doesn't have the dash switch like the one shown above and it doesn't look like the photos Vikki showed in the trunk of her Bird. Also it sits back a bit from the template indicated location. All in all though it looks cool !!
