On my way out to walk Teddy, I happened to walk past a box setting by the back door.

Car Radio Antenna

Along with my little old car radio that I had purchased, I realized that I needed an antenna and the wiring to plug into the back of the radio. I didn’t know much about them, so I searched for things like “Classic Car Antenna”, “Antique Car Antenna”, and “Vintage Car Antenna”. I was getting mixed results. Some were overly expensive, compatible with specific cars, looked ugly, missing a few things, or just wasn’t for me. I was focused on how easy it appeared to be to install, and ideally one that could retract, either manually or with its own motor.

I finally settled on one that looked fairly new that was for vintage vehicles. I assume this is actually a reproduction, as the seller had already sold 210 of them and he claimed that it was “New”, so… yea.

A radio was an option that could be installed for a few extra dollars on a CitiCar. Mine didn’t come with one, but there is room just above the accessory light where it appears that the radio would go. I’ve seen a few photographs where the antenna is close to the front bumper beside the passenger headlight, and another where it’s close to the windshield.

Antenna by windshield	Antenna by bumper
Motor Trend November 1976	Car and Driver November 1977

Upon further inspection of various photographs, I noticed that one had a CitiCar badge where another had a radio. I’ve had a loose “Sebring Vanguard” plastic plate that came with the car, but I was unsure where it should go. I looked pretty close at the blank area and noticed some faint residue from the adhesive on the back of the plastic plate.

No radio	With Radio
Consumer Reports October 1975	Motor Trend November 1976

Once I get the radio, I’ll have the parts needed to experiment with. Hopefully I can get it operating. I don’t know anything about cars, but I do know a bit about electrical diagrams and pin outs.

STAINLESS STEEL REMOVABLE MAST ANTENNA VINTAGE ANTIQUE CARS + TRUCKS RETRACTABLE