Just wanted to point out that Yellowbird sent me a brand-new, perfect condition power antenna for my '68! I'm not sure how she figured out that the new '69 TA spoiler I installed was bending the crap outa the stock antenna. Womans intuition?

And she offered it for free. I did not take it for free, but she offered. Very nice lady indeed.

You forgot to mention it's aftermarket

Got your wiring hooked up yet?

If anyone else needs to solve the same dilemma, I can point out the antenna that fits the rear quarter location, and the wiring needed to make it work.

any ideals on a power ant. for the stock front fender area? and wiring?

Wiring is easy. The problem up front is the clearance.

With the stock antenna out, measure the depth and width of the available space with a tape measure, holding it at the desired antenna rake angle.

Then go to your local automotive chain store and look for a universal power antenna that will fit in that space. Wiring is simple; one battery +12v, one switched +12v from an aftermarket stereo "remote" lead or from a switch, and a ground strap. Depending on the antenna you may also need an adapter to fit your antenna cable to the aftermarket antenna.

The trunk is a very shallow space, so many aftermarket antennas won't fit. I found one that did.

I wished mine had been installed on the back. I think it just looks better IMO.

What made Pontiac decide when to install the antenna on back and not front? Was this a buyer choice decision or did it have anything to do with interior trim level?

Mine had a factory power antenna, and I believe those were ALWAYS rear mounted on the Firebird. By the time I got the car, the power antenna was missing and had been replaced by a regular extendable antenna. I replaced that with an aftermarket power antenna, and I eventually got an original power antenna and removed the aftermarket unit.

Vikki, what is the info on that rear ant. I was thinking about moving mine to the rear and was considering installing a power unit- it just looks classy. Since we are on the topic of radios, what manufacturers have others found that fit in the dash without hacking it up. I just have AM now?
Thanks for the help, Wade

Vikki, My 67 326 HO deluxe interior conv. came factory with ant. on the front. This car was bought 6mo. old when org owner traded it in on the 68 yr model. My father had it ever since, until I got it in 1980.
My mothers 68 400 conv had it installed on the real and it was the manual type.
anyone know was the rear mount ant. just a 68-69 thing? anyone with a rear mount 67?

I have a '67 with factory rear mount antenna. It is specifically listed on the PHS.

John

is this a 400 opt. or standard?

My 67 ragtop also came with a rear mounted but manual antenna. Jimbo

I mounted her (?) antenna this evening and it fits perfect in the trunk mount area. came with simple support hardware and brackets to mount to the innner trunk. You'll need to use a knife and cut a small line out of your original trunk liner to work it around the antenna base, but if properly cut you never notice once its laid back down.
Okay, Yellowbird, its all there, properly mounted and looking good....now what do i do with all the **** wires coming out of it??

sent you an email...

Nash, you have a P.M.

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revvingitup

hey i have a manual in the front fender, yeah i know its a tight space, but has anyone put a power anntena up there? plz send me some info

I would like to know as well.

Yellowbird, since my AM/FM 8-track does not have a power antenna wire (37-years ago they did not think of that on my model), I'll need to power this from another source.

My thoughts are:

Instead of rigging up some toggle switch and running wires to the dash area, how about splicing it into the rear side marker light system instead? I always have the running lights on everywhere I drive, day and night. This would allow for a switch and avoid additional wiring. What I'll need to research is any issue with amperage along this power source. Any thoughts?

And PLEASE folks....no classic jokes about accidently wiring it into the turn-signal power line...!

"When I make a turn...the antenna goes up, and down, then up again, then back down, and up, and down....." :p

should not be a problem to tap the second "signal" wire into that circuit. It only serves to trigger the antenna and draws minute amount of current.

However, run a separate wire to the fuse box, or to a constant 12v bat source elsewhere, for the red power wire.

Okay, you are saying regardless of the "signal" wire, a constant "hot" has to be connected as well, eh? I think I understand now.

correct. The signal wire is only used to tell the antenna to go up or down based on the presence or absence of a voltage. The power draw from the motor comes through the constant power source, otherwise when you shut off the car (or radio, or other source of power) the antenna would not be able to complete its cycle.

It's a little different than the technology used by the factory, and more than a bit more convenient. That particular antenna draws very little power and should not overheat any circuit. And of course it only draws when going up and down...

The circuit is completed by the mounting/ground strap that screws to the trunk floor. It also serves as an anti-torque bracket.

Does the body harness in a coupe have any extra, unused wiring connectors such as rear defogger? If so, you can find the other end, and tap the fuse box power into the existing body wire just to get it to the antenna. Just be sure you're looking at the same wire at both ends

Rigged it up tonight and it works perfect with the signal link wire spliced to the side-marker lights. This avoided me having to install some bullcrap toggle switch on the original dashboard. Now, when i turn on the day-runner lights the antenna goes up, and down accordingly. Thank you Vikki!

Very cool idea, and I'm glad it worked out for you!

day time running lights? never saw that option on a 1stgen

I had my parking lights wired to the ignition for a little while thru the dash... irritated the heck out of me to have them come on whenever the car was on so i fixed it. it stemmed from a "try to get the dash lights working" episode. Those work correctly now too.

Scott, bad terminology on my part: I meant the parking light circuit of course.

After a long delay, here is the power antenna info:

Metra “Road Works” Universal Power Antenna AW-PW22. Available from Murray’s Discount Auto, AutoZone, and other retailers.

11 ½” under fender clearance
31” 5 segment replaceable mast
5A draw on extension/retraction
Two wire hookup (red, battery constant; blue, switched to trigger up/down) plus chassis ground bracket.
Comes with adapters/grommets for 6 different mounting angles.

It looks fairly close to original from above, if you didn't know what the original looked like you'd probably not know it was aftermarket.

so am i reading right, this wont fit in the front only in the back?

I don't know. I don't have a front antenna hole to test.

You would also need to bring power into the fender area.

I went to visit a friend this afternoon. His '69 has the fender loosely installed, and no antenna in the hole yet. I was able to get the measurements, and the only way to mount a power antenna in the front fender would be to move the hole back several inches (away from the inner fender).

I believe classic industries has a one that is supposed to fit the 69 front style not for 67 or 68 though. Thanks for the info.

Sorry wrong info the classic ind. style antenna will not work on the 67 - 69 . Did find one at J.C Whitney, part # ZX830048R that will work.$74.99 but you must order 17' coaxial for rear fender