Hi, Working on Tom Champs '71 246 GT German import M body (01832) I have (only!) 4 holes made in this body for an antenna , right front fender, right rear fender and for and aft on center line of roof. We are curious as to where the accepted period location would be for the euro market car antenna. After looking thru Matthias's excellent book my best guess would have to be the right front fender for that market, any additional confirmation from the community would be much appreciated. Carroll Phillips ps I will probably have lots of questions and am working with Alberto Guirola with any body panel needs so I am in good hands. This is the first Dino body restoration for me ( my mainstay are the Jag XK,XKE, Austin Healey, and throw in some Porsche 356 and 911. Ive already restored the suspention components on Toms first 246 GTS and this 246 GT . Now the real fun begins.
There have been threads on this in the past and you generally see them on the left rear quarter. I have seen many period cars with the antenna on the right front fender but to me it is a horrible eyesore. My best guess is that they were put there because it allowed for the easiest install with the least effort to route the antenna wire. On my 71 GT it will remain in its original place of the left rear quarter.
Roof antennas were popular in the UK market. One of my cars has it mounted there. Here are a couple of examples (neither of them are mine). Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I see a few disadvantages strongly opposing it: - possible source for water leaking into the cabin - the outer shell of the roof is probably more flexible than a fender and I wouldn't want it to flex. But that's just my 2 cents Matthias
I can confirm that the hole on the roof of my car for the antenna was one of the few areas with no rust whatsoever. The curvature if the skin there let's water just run off.
I am thinking of not putting the antenna back on (it is on the left rear fender) when I paint the car. What do you think?
It is easy to add holes but hardto remove. Lots of cars were delivered without holes for the antenna so I would definitely leave the car without it if you do not want it.
This opens up a great subject. If the radio, antenna and mirrors were dealer installed as most were, wouldn't that be a points deduction in FCA concours? Dealer installed headlamp covers are points deduction correct? How many cars that are judged actually have documentation that supports any of these items were factory or dealer installed? Freeman
