Topic: Guide to Original 1969 and 1970 Antennas

[Anghelrestorations]

This is a new guide that covers what the original antennas should look like for 1969 and 1970 Mustangs, Shelby's and Cougars.  This subject has been covered quite a bit over the years but wanted something a little more detailed and some photos that help give a clear visual on what is correct.  If anyone has anything to add let me know. 

http://anghelrestorations.com/uploads/3/1/7/6/3176630/antennas_v1.1.pdf

[Bob Gaines]

This is a new guide that covers what the original antennas should look like for 1969 and 1970 Mustangs, Shelby's and Cougars.  This subject has been covered quite a bit over the years but wanted something a little more detailed and some photos that help give a clear visual on what is correct.  If anyone has anything to add let me know. 

http://www.anghelrestorations.com/uploads/3/1/7/6/3176630/antennas_v1.0.pdf

Marcus, I wanted to comment on your 69 Shelby theory about the fiberglass front fenders not providing a good ground plane for the antenna signal has merit if not for a more inherent problem. Electrical interference. Being a student of 65-70 Shelby's gives me insight into some big picture perspective that a snapshot in 1969 time that you are looking at leaves out. It was found that the earlier Shelby's with their all fiberglass hoods provided no shielding for the interference caused by the ignition system even with radio resistance wires. The early Shelby hoods that had steel innerstructure provided a little help but the ones without steel innerstructures  provided no shielding at all. Some dealers in 1967 started installing antennas on Shelby's in the rear to solve complaints . The problems persisted to a point that in 1968 with a all fiberglass hood slated for the entire production the Shelby was engineered to have the antenna mounted on the rear quarter to put distance between the engine compartment and the antenna to solve the interference problem. The situation of the interference because of no shielding with the fiberglass hood was well known as previous years experience indicates so the decision no doubt was already made even before the subject of the fiberglass fenders came up.  I am sure there was no consideration given to placement of the antenna up front with the fiberglass fenders because the decision was already made because of other problems. Good article . Bob

[specialed]

The c9zz antenna kits I had have both c9za & c9wa gaskets with them in brown bag. The 292 cast in bottom of the base ids the correct 69-70 mustang factory mount. What is your cougar id on base as I thought the cougar antenna was the same as mustang but just the gasket changeover angle to fit the cougar fender angle or curve ?  Never seen 69 Shelby antenna mount like in your red Shelby pic as way to short of antenna tube for a pm-300 unless somebody shortened the lower tube.  just sayin

[Anghelrestorations]

Bob....interesting note on the fenders and the electrical interference....that makes a good addition to what I have here.  I will find a way to add your comments in there.  I am only a student of 69-70 for the moment. 

Ed...Yes, the Cougar and Mustang antenna masts are actually different and have different engineering numbers if you look at the installation instructions I included in the article.  So the gaskets are different and the antenna base and the kit numbers are different.  And the Cougar antennas do not seem to have any markings on the base, just on the top like I show in the picture.  The picture in the article is from an original paint car which matches what I have here.  I thought they were the same too until I found this.

For the Shelby trunk mount this has been a bit of a challenge getting a good picture.  I didnt think that long strap was correct but hoping someone can provide a better picture.  Otherwise I have these two pictures but also dont think they are 100% correct.

[J_Speegle]

................ Never seen 69 Shelby antenna mount like in your red Shelby pic as way to short of antenna tube for a pm-300 unless somebody shortened the lower tube.  just sayin

Believe you have. That was the red GT500 unrestored car that showed up to SAAC a couple of years back. It was parked in the end of the row to the right (coming out of the hotel) of all the show cars we all judged. Know Bob and I spent some time talking to the owner and taking pictures. Length of the mast is another thing. Car number 0F02R482901.





Are you referring only to the tube length or where the strap attaches on the red car?


Marcus - clamp is missing on your top example above. Haven't seen that myself in the past


As for the attachment points for the strap I've got examples that fall into three basic areas.

1- to the pinch weld between the inner and outer wheel tubs





2- using the hole in the trunk hing support





3- just screwed to the inner wheel tub







As we talked about - found most of the straps with a single hole at one end and a group of holes at the other.

[Bob Gaines]

The 69/70 Shelby antennas were dealer installed and the mounting and placement on the rear quarter effected the lower attachment point choice to some degree. Next time at a show with multiple 69/70 Shelby's parked in a row look down the line of antennas and you will be amazed at the differences in placement. I was floored the first time I think Ed had brought that to my attention 25 plus years ago . Some minor others not so much. The most consistent attachment parts used seemed to be the metal clamp which secures the base of the antenna , a slotted head stove bolt , square nut  and the hole filled strap for attachment. These items apparently came in the factory kit . Realistically substitutions could conceivably have been used by the dealer.   

[Anghelrestorations]

Well, that was my issue as well looking for pictures that show some basic rule of thumb on how these Shelby antennas were strapped on the bottom.  Thats why I used the word typical in my write up for some wiggle room.  Maybe I can show at least another example on that page and edit that. 

So do we know for sure that the antennas were dealer installed for the Shelby's just like the Mustangs?  I assume thats the case because they were faced with the same transport issues, however with a collapsible antenna they would not be dealing with breakage issues. 

[Bob Gaines]

Well, that was my issue as well looking for pictures that show some basic rule of thumb on how these Shelby antennas were strapped on the bottom.  Thats why I used the word typical in my write up for some wiggle room.  Maybe I can show at least another example on that page and edit that. 

So do we know for sure that the antennas were dealer installed for the Shelby's just like the Mustangs?  I assume thats the case because they were faced with the same transport issues, however with a collapsible antenna they would not be dealing with breakage issues.

first sentence in reply #5 .

[Anghelrestorations]

Ok....just wanted to make sure on that point. 

[Anghelrestorations]

I updated the document now with the comments I got from everyone and changed the link on my initial post so it matches the live link. 

Ed....I know you were asking around on the Cougar antenna, are we in agreement now on the difference on that one?  I can add some pictures in this thread if needed.

[Bob Gaines]

I updated the document now with the comments I got from everyone and changed the link on my initial post so it matches the live link. 

Ed....I know you were asking around on the Cougar antenna, are we in agreement now on the difference on that one?  I can add some pictures in this thread if needed.

I will try and post a more appropriate looking  round ball version of the Shelby antenna for your article tomorrow that you are welcome to use because the one you presently have does not look typical. The mast does not go all the way down on the typical PM300.

[Anghelrestorations]

I will go ahead and post this on the SAAC forum and see if we can get some pictures that way.  Otherwise the article is pretty much done and I am already working on the next one. 

[Brian Conway]

 A trivia question ?  FoMoCo cast into the Mustang Base and some other stuff cast into the Cougar base.  Any bases with nothing ?  Brian

[Anghelrestorations]

Actually both the Mustang and Cougar bases will be cast with the Ford logos, but only the Cougar one is visible on the top side with the cap removed.  The Mustang base is only visible on the bottom of the base.  You would need to remove the 4 screws and lift it off to see that.   

[Brian Conway]

Thank You