TR2/3/3A TR3 Antenna

[mallard]

Anybody got a source for a vintage style antenna for a 56 TR3? I have the original that came with the car but it needs work and all the rubber is falling apart. I see some on ebay all the time that have a key to lock them. I would like one that had the look of an original, even though I'm sure most were dealer installed. I was even thinking of putting in a plug which I believe was done in the day.

 

[TR4nut]

Keith -

you have a picture of your old one? I have to fill a hole in the scuttle of my project, and am wondering what to use. Right now I have trial fit the flush mount style that uses a key, but I'm concerned a little that it my intrude on the passenger footwell too much.

 

[Don Elliott]

In UK they would call that an aerial.

 

[mallard]

Randy the antenna should not intrude into the footwell at all, mine is a fender (wing) mounted antenna. I'm almost sure mine came from the factory with a radio but I could be wrong. The reason I say this is because when I redid the center counsel in the dash the backside was marked radio and OD. It had more markings but I don't know what they ment. What picture do you need ? I still have not tried to send pictures with the new forum format. Don I will try an aerial search next.

 

[angelfj1]

Anybody got a source for a vintage style antenna for a 56 TR3? I have the original that came with the car but it needs work and all the rubber is falling apart. I see some on ebay all the time that have a key to lock them. I would like one that had the look of an original, even though I'm sure most were dealer installed. I was even thinking of putting in a plug which I believe was done in the day.

Keith: This is something that I intend to make eventually for my tube-type TR radio. However, the under-car option, would work for any AM band radio, and it's invisible. I will fabricate the loop from aluminum tubing.

 

[mallard]

I thought I found a good replacement antenna for my car on-line, it's junk and should be used on a toy. If you Google classic car antenna you will find what I bought. I know I can't mention the name of the seller. I would use my original but all the rubber is shot. Frank that's a good idea but I have 3/4" hole in my fender that I should have welded shut. One more delay in getting things done.

 

[PatGalvin]

Hi Keith
My TR3A had a fender hole cut, an antenna, and a radio. I'm also interested in an antenna for this car. Hoping someone has a line on a period correct antenna supplier.

 

[mallard]

Pat what size hole is in your fender? If it's 1/2" you can have the extra one that I have. I got one today that fits the 3/4" hole in my fender. Todays antennas are very cheaply made, nothing like the originals. This new one will work for now.

 

[Don Elliott]

When I bought my 1958 TR3A brand new, it had no radio or antenna. But there was a hole in the RHS front fender with a lightly domed plug filling the hole. I put in a radio many years later but took it all out again because I couldn't hear it. When I did my full restoration from 1987 to 1990, it re-installed the original capped plug. It was made of cast white metal and is secured up under the fender with a small plate and a screw.

 

[Don Elliott]

I seem to remember that the hole inthe fender was about 3/4" diameter and the OD of the plug was about 1inch. There was a step in the diameter of the lower side of the plug tokeep the plug central in the hole.

 

[PatGalvin]

My antenna hole is just slightly larger than 3/4 inch. I'm guessing that those plugs aren't commonly available...

Pat