radio antenna question

David Pollock · March 01, 2011, 07:38:41 PM

The radio antenna on a 52 is located on the driver's side. It is, if original, a completely retractable unit and the bottom of the tube fastens to the bolt on the inner fender just inside the wheel opening. This puts the antenna just behind the inner fender, about 11 inches, if memory serves me correctly, from the door. In this position, it is not in the driver's line of sight. There is a small punch-out in the cowl near the upper fender mount for the antenna lead.

Wm Steed · February 07, 2011, 01:41:12 PM

An antenna mounted in the center above the windshield was very common during the '30's-40's & 50.s, Hudson, Packard and a few others beside Buick and Ford used this type of Antenna... Buick, Hudson and Packard all used the same antenna, where-as Ford used a different design... The windshield mounted antenna's were remotely controlled from within the passenger compartment. They could be deployed but not extended or retracted.....Bill

36 Ply · February 06, 2011, 09:59:47 PM

If I recall correctly, Buick also used the center mount antenna above the windshield after WWII and into the early '50s.

Pat O'Connor

Wm Steed · February 06, 2011, 01:00:28 PM

I know the original posting to this topic was, what is the correct area for an antenna on a '52 Plym? This question can prove to be quite interesting.. Some cars have the antenna on the left front fender, some on the right front fender, while others have the antenna mounted about the windshield. During the mid 1930's, through the early '40's many cars had "running board" mounted antenna's.. commonly called "Roadway Antenna's".. Chrysler liked the Roadway Antenna as did GM. Ford opted to put their antenna in the chicken wire netting that reinforced the fabric insert on all of their closed cars through 1936. Ford then went to the center mount antenna above the windshield until 1940.
Ideally, the correct place to mount an antenna is in the center of the vehicle... The vehicle actually is the main item in creating a force field to attract the radio signal.
I have always held the opinion that the placement of antenna's for the older AM radio's was actually a matter on convenience.. Radio reception was generally very poor so the antenna had to be raised and/or lowered on a regular basis, therefore placement on the left front fender/cowl made it easy for the driver to deploy or retract the antenna as needed.
Many of the older cowl side mount antenna's could be adjusted by the driver from within the vehicle... Hmmmm? and who was it that started harping about hands free driving? ;D
When I worked in a Ford Dealership in new car prep during the early 1950's we were told to install the antenna on the left front fender, the reason being that a right mounted antenna was easy pray for vandals as they walked along the sidewalk.
During the 1930's it was very common for homes to have very large antenna's mounted on top of the buildings to receive AM radio signals....Bill

jd2ksilver · February 03, 2011, 10:07:51 PM

That looks to be in the right spot. Usually you can buy a generic antenna that has several different mounting angle options. Unless you are going for period correct for judging, a generic one is much less expensive that what you advertised as period correct. I now have a power antenna on mine. The original was broke.

Ruby 52 Cranbrook · February 03, 2011, 09:12:19 PM

So does the hole shown in the photo look to be in the right location? and can I search for an antenna that fits 51/52. I just don't want to get o that has the wrong angle on the mounting piece. Thanks

jd2ksilver · February 03, 2011, 11:32:30 AM

My 52 had a antenna on the drivers side, looked to be original, but I cannot confirm. It did come with a radio when built.

bigaadams · February 03, 2011, 07:35:22 AM

all my 51/52's have the antennea on the drivers side but I have seen them on the passenger side, probably from a much later period of time for the install....if memory serves me correct the cowl on both sides of the body has a dimpled location for the wire..even my 54 with stock factory radio and antennea has it on the drivers side...

Ruby 52 Cranbrook · February 03, 2011, 03:25:03 AM

Hi, This is my first post and I have a question about antenna location. I have a recently purchased 52 Cranbrook. It runs great but and I can tell it was pieced together some time in is life with parts from various years. For instance, one rear fender has 3 holes for a stone shield and the other side has no holes. My car has a hole in the drivers fender and I assume it is for an antenna. Most of the pictures I looked at from the Portland meet shows the antenna up on the pass cowl. At this point I want to install an antenna and use the hole that is already there in the fender if possible. So what year had the antenna mounted on the fender and what type of antenna should I look for. Or any other suggestions. I am just starting to learn about this car. Thanks in advance.