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TR2/3/3A Antenna Hole Blanking Plug/Fender Mirror Placement

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Tropical TR

Jedi Hopeful
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I have heard that some TR3As came with a factory pre-drilled hole in the front fender for radio antennas. These were apparently blanked off with plugs that attached from underneath. Can anyone shed light on how common this was and possibly share pictures of such a plug?

While on the subject of optional "holes", the fender mirrors are very common accessories and I believe they were mostly dealer installed (?) That being the case, were there factory specified placement instructions for those holes as there was from Smiths for radio antennas?

Regards,

Walter
 
Hello Walter, I don't know about the "official" positions, so this is my setup.
The fender mirrors are above the wheel center. I mounted them as far inboard as practical. I used the Tex spring back stems, as they get knocked around by passers by. I also opted for the TEX round convex mirror heads. The only drawback is the sight line to the right fender mirror. You have to look around the rear view mirror.
I put the antenna on the left (drivers) side of the car. I can reach it to raise and lower while driving. On the drivers side it is not on the curb side. Less chance of being vandalized. The antenna is the manual chrome Hirschmann. It's almost unnoticeable when lowered. All I need now is a radio!
Cheers,
Steve
 
When I was doing the restoration on my 3A I was fortunate to come upon a NOS RF fender in primer, with a Stanpart sticker on the inside. It had a pre-stamped radio antenna hole with a metal plug. The plug was the same design as the main beam light socket. I filled the hole & saved the plug but now I can't find it. I couldn't imagine then (& still can't) why the pre-stamped hole for an accessory.
Frank
 
Hello Steve,

Thanks. That tracks with the current hole positioning on my fenders. I wanted to do a sanity check before the body pieces are finished for painting . My current antenna hole is where the original Smith's instructions indicated. I am grappling with either filling the hole or keeping it available for a future possible radio installation. Decisions, decisions....

Regards,

Walter
 
Hello Frank,

That fender was quite a find. When you say the plug is the same design as the main beam light socket do you mean that the plug fits like the light does into its socket?

Regards,

Walter
 
Mornin, my 60 post 60,000 comission number 3A came wigh a hole stamped in the cowl on the passenger side. I put a black plug in it and called it a day, just in case I decide to put in a radio. The car is BRG and the plug is quite un-noticeable.
Cheers, Dick
 
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