Hello, I am in the process of in restoring my '69. I have been entertaining the thought of moving the antenna to the rear quarter. Yet, before I drill the hole I want to make sure it's going to work and look as I want. I want an original look as posible. My catalogs only have listings for a AM antenna in the rear. Anyone done the with the AM/FM antenna? Thanks...JCC1969

You cant use a rear spoiler with the quarter mount antenna.

Originally posted by shoddy_F-body:
You cant use a rear spoiler with the quarter mount antenna. My 69 came with the factory rear antenna in the passenger 1/4 panel, and had a rear spoiler. Not sure how one affects the other, they aren't really even close to each other. It's definitely a factory antenna and hole.

http://www.camcojb.com/twinturbo/tthugger_orange2.jpg

Jody

If your car came with a factory rear AM antenna then your spoiler isn't factory. AM rear antenna was a factory option but it was NA with a spoiler. No rear AM/FM antenna was available from the factory.

Originally posted by Mark C:
If your car came with a factory rear AM antenna then your spoiler isn't factory. AM rear antenna was a factory option but it was NA with a spoiler. No rear AM/FM antenna was available from the factory. Thanks Mark, I get that. But there's a difference between not available and won't fit (can't use the two together). I know the spoiler was added on as this was a plain Jane car; I just didn't understand why the two can't fit together when I have the two on my car (actually "had" as I'm replacing the 1/4's with NOS pieces and will not be re-installing the factory antenna).

Thanks again Mark!

Jody

You will note the "from the factory" qualifier in my reply. I had a 68 with the rear antenna option, which I added a rear spoiler to, and the spoiler does hit the antenna when it is setup the factory way. Eventually it would bend the antenna forward right at the base. If you realign it outward a few degrees or forward of straight up and down it would clear OK. Possibly a 69 equipped with the short spoiler would clear the antenna, but by the time the 69 body was introduced GM had already determined that the two options could not be had together, probably because the dealers did not want to listen to people complaining that the antenna hit the spoiler, and either bending the antenna or chipping the paint.

I got it Mark, and thanks again. Makes sense; I was referring to the other reply to this post, not yours saying that they don't work together. Don't remember it being angled out but maybe it was. I just knew I had both on the car when I received it. I do see how it could interfere when the trunk was opened.

Jody

Mine has the rear antenna too. I added the spoiler and the spoiler will hit the antenna when I lift the trunk lid. I just have to slightly move the antenna while opening the trunk lid. A minor inconvenience as compared to the "cool" factor that the spoiler and rear antenna add! :D

Jody - I've seen a lot of rear antenna and spoiler cars and the antennas all seem to get whacked by the spoiler when the trunk is lifted. It seems the antennas end up damaged when the trunk is shut in haste by forgetful owners... This happens because the spoiler extends beyond the trunk to the fender line. I believe that is the reason the factory didn't install the spoiler with the rear mounted antenna.

Your antenna doesn't look fully extended but it still looks like the spoiler would hit it on the way up and again when closing the trunk. If you have the early short spoiler this may not be a problem...

I don't remember it hitting at all, but it may have been close. That setup is long gone so it's hard to say. I can definitely see how it could hit though!

Jody

that is why i put in a rear power antenna. i believe my car came without a spoiler and the original rear antenna would hit. i just put in a rear power. im actually going to put in a switch that is actuated by the trunk opening so it closes when i pop the trunk.

angel

So there is a potential problem regarding the spoiler to antenna clearance. What is the value of an AM unit if your system is FM? Or will it also plug in and work? Tell me more on the power units? What are good candidates to donate an power unit? JCC1969

Anybody have any experience with an underdash aftermarket antenna?

Angelglo can you tell us what power antena that you used & was there any promblems installing it? Thanks

[ 11-30-2003, 03:56 PM: Message edited by: johnnyr ]

My 69 had the antenna mounted on the rear quarter.
I'm sure it must have been a replacement,it had a neat little chrome spring at the base and a solid small diameter antenna. I added the GM spoiler. The antenna is gently pushed forward when the trunk lid is raised. Works for me.
Guy

johnnyr, go to my community photos and go to pinchweld. i uploaded a poic of the inside of my trunk area where the antenna is. it fits perfect and has 1/16 of an inch on the bottom clearance. the bottom is where you can put a drain tube. since my car has never seen a drop of water in over 10 years, there is no problem of water getting in there but it still has room for water to drain from the bottom.

http://community.webshots.com/user/angelglozano

i believe this is where i got the antenna from. if not, it looks to be the same one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2445373444&category=33639

angel

I have the rear antenna and spoiler on my car. I'm just careful when the trunk is opened. I think that the looks outway the inconvience of this problem. Besides, how many times do you open the trunk?

I have a factory installed rear antenna on my 69 and the previous owner added a short spoiler to the car. It still has clearance problems. Most times I don't even have the mast screwed on (makes it easier with removing/installing car cover) . I don't listen to radio much, I'd rather hear the car's engine.
just my O2
Kelvin

For any of you that like the no antenna look or can't stand the thought of drilling a big hole in a new panel. This is what I've done on my car and a couple of buddies. Screw or weld an "L" brkt to the inside of the stub frame underneath the passenger side and mnt a fixed antenna to it, then tie the other end with a zip strip so it doesn't whip and hit the bottom of the car. Your factory antenna lead will reach, and it can't be seen even looking under car. My a/m and f/m reception is better then in my new Impala with the backglass mounted antenna.