ConcoursMustang Forums

1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1968 Mustang => Topic started by: 68Metuchen390GT on December 09, 2019, 09:39:15 PM

Title: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: 68Metuchen390GT on December 09, 2019, 09:39:15 PM
I’ve read the 2011 thread and the MCA judging thread about round vs square base, with that said I’m on Team Round. The question I have is, I have a fairly unmolested survivor and while I am 99% sure this antenna isn’t original I’d really like someone to weigh in to make sure they have not seen this base as a dealer option at some point. This car hasn’t been on the road since 1985 when it was in NJ. I haven’t pulled the fender or the antenna to check the antenna cable to see if it’s stamped with a maker yet. It’s mounted on the front right fender. Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: CharlesTurner on December 10, 2019, 12:06:02 AM
Looks like an auto store replacement.  Does your Marti report show the car came with a radio?
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: Bossbill on December 10, 2019, 12:26:57 AM
The serrations on the half ball base mesh with serrations on the half ball mast. A screw holds the whole thing together.
By loosening the screw you can pull back the mast so it's the same angle as your windshield in side view.
The serrations lock it at any angle.
Also used on the rear for that swept back look.
Definitely aftermarket.
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: 68Metuchen390GT on December 10, 2019, 01:14:21 PM
I was had seen that type of antenna just wanted to see if anyone had seen it on a Mustang by a dealer.

The car is a Metuchen car, it has a buck plate and I have the Marti report. This Mustang hasn’t been on the road since 85, it was garage stored by the previous owner and I got it in 2003. It still has the NJ 1985 window inspection  sticker. The buck plate has an ST which on most years is a Stereo but apparently according to Marti’s book in 68 was just standard transmission at Metuchen so unless they still used that code in error it’s not on the buck plate or the Marti report. The car had a radio in it, non Ford radio, no delete plate present but a standard Ford radio bezel. I do know the buck plate is wrong on the car, it has a factory fold down seat but it’s not on the Marti or the buck plate. Could these have been installed by the dealer?

The original dealership, Winner Ford, is still in existence in South Jersey, about 10 miles from where I bought the car. I don’t know if anyone has had any luck with old dealer records. Is there any upgraded Marti report I should get?  Thanks
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: RoyceP on December 10, 2019, 05:25:47 PM
ST = Stereo Tape ie AM / 8 track stereo. It's on my buck tag and on my Marti Report. And the car still has the original radio / tape player.

Whatever antenna that is it would not have been anything a Ford dealer would have installed. The dealer would have unlimited supplies of OEM antennas.


I was had seen that type of antenna just wanted to see if anyone had seen it on a Mustang by a dealer.

The car is a Metuchen car, it has a buck plate and I have the Marti report. This Mustang hasn’t been on the road since 85, it was garage stored by the previous owner and I got it in 2003. It still has the NJ 1985 window inspection  sticker. The buck plate has an ST which on most years is a Stereo but apparently according to Marti’s book in 68 was just standard transmission at Metuchen so unless they still used that code in error it’s not on the buck plate or the Marti report. The car had a radio in it, non Ford radio, no delete plate present but a standard Ford radio bezel. I do know the buck plate is wrong on the car, it has a factory fold down seat but it’s not on the Marti or the buck plate. Could these have been installed by the dealer?

The original dealership, Winner Ford, is still in existence in South Jersey, about 10 miles from where I bought the car. I don’t know if anyone has had any luck with old dealer records. Is there any upgraded Marti report I should get?  Thanks
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: 68Metuchen390GT on December 10, 2019, 06:14:56 PM
Thanks RoyceP was yours Metuchen built?
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: RoyceP on December 10, 2019, 11:32:20 PM
Cougars were built at Dearborn and San Jose in 1968.
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: 68Metuchen390GT on December 11, 2019, 11:09:40 AM
Somehow Metuchen decided that ST stood for Standard Transmission at that time and LP or Stereo meant radio
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: RoyceP on December 11, 2019, 02:32:37 PM
Cougars were built at Dearborn and San Jose in 1968.
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: 68Metuchen390GT on December 11, 2019, 05:17:31 PM
I understand
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: Coralsnake on December 11, 2019, 07:08:00 PM
Quote
Somehow Metuchen decided that ST stood for Standard Transmission at that time and LP or Stereo meant radio

Correct for 1968 New Jersey cars. (LP is non-Am radio :  ST is std trans) No Cougars at NJ so paint spray patterns differ on rear frame rails.

I think its more likely an owner added the fold down seat. It would be in the Ford record and on the buck tag if factory installed. Im likely to say Ford codes/records are correct and car has been changed.
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: 68Metuchen390GT on December 12, 2019, 01:11:38 AM
It looks like a factory install, the patina is consistent with the rest of the car and paint looks original on the seat, anyway that you could tell? the car has never been painted.
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: 68Metuchen390GT on December 12, 2019, 01:14:01 AM
The trap door and all the assemblies look legit, are the FDS parts date stamped?
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: ruppstang on December 12, 2019, 09:23:01 AM
Jeff perhaps this thread should be moved to member builds, it is drifting.
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: 68Metuchen390GT on December 12, 2019, 12:26:09 PM
Sorry to drift I thought this was a general discussion category
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: Bob Gaines on December 12, 2019, 12:37:29 PM
Sorry to drift I thought this was a general discussion category
Yes but if you drift off topic others searching later may not benefit from the discussion on a different item given the posted title . Best to start a new topic for a different item. We are thinking  about helping not only you in the now but others in the future .
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: 68Metuchen390GT on December 12, 2019, 12:46:41 PM
Got it thanks I will start a new thread
Title: Re: 1968 Mustang Antenna Round Base
Post by: J_Speegle on December 16, 2019, 06:28:15 PM
Sorry to drift I thought this was a general discussion category

Believe the reference was to the title which defines the discussion to be radio antennas