Is the mast on a '69-'70 Mustang antenna round or teardrop shaped? What shape is the base?
On first generation Mustangs,...
On first generation Mustangs, the assembly line supplied antennas in the trunk for dealer installation. In this low-mileage, unrestored ’69 Mach 1, the antenna is still in its brown paper bag in the upper right of this photo. In other words, the dealer never installed this antenna.
Round and teardrop masts look pretty much the same. There is also little difference between the bases. However, Mustang antennas are physically different from antennas made for Fairlanes, Galaxies, and other Ford car lines. Also, all first generation Mustang antennas featured a round mast.
Bob Perkins, first generation Mustang technical advisor for the Mustang Club of America, told us that the best way to show what is Mustang correct is with detailed pictures using assembly line NOS parts. During a visit to Perkins Restoration in Juneau, Wisconsin, we rounded up the various antennas along with Bob's expertise.
Ford assembly lines received...
Ford assembly lines received batches of boxes filled with antennas. Each box contained 50 antennas. Perkins actually has one of these large boxes for Mustang antennas, seen here. Each “radio kit” (antenna) inside the box came wrapped in brown paper, as seen on top of the box.
Another way to get an antenna...
Another way to get an antenna from Ford was to order one through the dealership. For shipping purposes, service antennas came in a box.
Assembly line antennas came...
Assembly line antennas came in a long, brown paper bag. With each antenna, Ford also included instructions (left), a template (right) to drill the holes in the fender, and four screws to mount the antenna base to the fender.
The ‘69-’70 Mustang antenna...
The ‘69-’70 Mustang antenna had a round mast that fit into a teardrop plastic insert. The plastic insert fit into a rectangular metal base.
Ford dealers occasionally...
Ford dealers occasionally installed non-Mustang antennas, as seen here, on new Mustangs. Notice the teardrop mast on this antenna. This antenna is not a Mustang antenna and would not be concours correct in MCA judging.
On the left is a Mustang antenna....
On the left is a Mustang antenna. Notice the round mast. On the right is a non-Mustang antenna. Notice the teardrop mast. Perkins said, “The cable linkage is usually a little bit longer on the teardrop, which makes it fit fine on the Mustang because it gives you enough slack. I don’t think the Mustang would fit on the Galaxie without an extension jumper.”
Some enthusiasts believe every Ford dealer-installed antenna (from any car line) is "stock." After all, the antenna is original. However, what is original is not necessarily concours correct.
In other words, a dealer's mistake does not make a non-Mustang antenna, although "original to the car," a true Mustang antenna. In MCA judging, an antenna other than a Mustang antenna is not considered concours correct.
Clearance problems during shipping could easily damage vulnerable antennas, not to mention vandals snapping off the antennas for kicks. Therefore, dealer-installation made more sense.
Bob Perkins believes the main reason for antenna mistakes is because the least skilled shop personnel worked in "dealer prep." One mistake they made was grabbing an antenna from another Ford car line. Perkins has seen paint repairs on the body around antennas because the drill bit slipped while the technician was drilling the holes. He has also seen two holes for the mounting screws instead of the specified four.