I'd like to hear expert opinions about the antenna in these photos. Specifically the antenna that i've labeled as "maybe original". The other antenna in the photos i recently bought from ebay vendor that routinely sells inoperative (but nice) version of the original. Also i'd like to hear opinions re: the coax cable. Thanks
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I don't know about expert just that I know more then most it seems as it relates to Shelby and the antenna. The one you have marked" maybe original" I do not believe was original to a Shelby. It is however I believe a vintage PM300 original for another application. The reason is that it is too long. The ones that are original to a Shelby are typically approximately 13 inch's or slightly shorter from the bottom edge of the PM300 base to the end of the crimp on the tube. They will not sit straight up and down what with the trunk mat and cardboard wheelhouse trunk floor extension. It will work but you will have to tilt it . This is not to say some didn't leave the dealer with them tilted just that the length precludes it from being installed straight up and down like many with out forcing it down to or through the trunk mat and cardboard. When installed vertical originals typically didn't touch the trunk mat. In the past most of the ones that I have found separate from cars were the same length as yours are even longer. I have to cut them down and recrimp them to a proper length . I am sure that is what the antenna vendor does . He just leaves them too long IMO. Other then the length you could use the one marked "maybe original" as a original yardstick when comparing differences to others. If you are going to use ether on a Shelby and want it to look more like a factory one then I would cut the tube at the beginning of the crimp and re crimp the end . But that is just me. The coaxial cable looks typical to others that I have seen on Shelby's.
Quote from: Bob Gaines on July 30, 2023, 04:12:07 PM
I don't know about expert just that I know more then most it seems as it relates to Shelby and the antenna. The one you have marked" maybe original" I do not believe was original to a Shelby. It is however I believe a vintage PM300 original for another application. The reason is that it is too long. The ones that are original to a Shelby are typically approximately 13 inch's or slightly shorter from the bottom edge of the PM300 base to the end of the crimp on the tube. They will not sit straight up and down what with the trunk mat and cardboard wheelhouse trunk floor extension. It will work but you will have to tilt it . This is not to say some didn't leave the dealer with them tilted just that the length precludes it from being installed straight up and down like many with out forcing it down to or through the trunk mat and cardboard. When installed vertical originals typically didn't touch the trunk mat. In the past most of the ones that I have found separate from cars were the same length as yours are even longer. I have to cut them down and recrimp them to a proper length . I am sure that is what the antenna vendor does . He just leaves them too long IMO. Other then the length you could use the one marked "maybe original" as a original yardstick when comparing differences to others. If you are going to use ether on a Shelby and want it to look more like a factory one then I would cut the tube at the beginning of the crimp and re crimp the end . But that is just me. The coaxial cable looks typical to others that I have seen on Shelby's.
So a PM-300 that is 13.25" is not an original? Or is that what you meant as "approximately"?
Bill
Quote from: Bill on July 30, 2023, 04:19:06 PM
Quote from: Bob Gaines on July 30, 2023, 04:12:07 PM
I don't know about expert just that I know more then most it seems as it relates to Shelby and the antenna. The one you have marked" maybe original" I do not believe was original to a Shelby. It is however I believe a vintage PM300 original for another application. The reason is that it is too long. The ones that are original to a Shelby are typically approximately 13 inch's or slightly shorter from the bottom edge of the PM300 base to the end of the crimp on the tube. They will not sit straight up and down what with the trunk mat and cardboard wheelhouse trunk floor extension. It will work but you will have to tilt it . This is not to say some didn't leave the dealer with them tilted just that the length precludes it from being installed straight up and down like many with out forcing it down to or through the trunk mat and cardboard. When installed vertical originals typically didn't touch the trunk mat. In the past most of the ones that I have found separate from cars were the same length as yours are even longer. I have to cut them down and recrimp them to a proper length . I am sure that is what the antenna vendor does . He just leaves them too long IMO. Other then the length you could use the one marked "maybe original" as a original yardstick when comparing differences to others. If you are going to use ether on a Shelby and want it to look more like a factory one then I would cut the tube at the beginning of the crimp and re crimp the end . But that is just me. The coaxial cable looks typical to others that I have seen on Shelby's.
So a PM-300 that is 13.25" is not an original? Or is that what you meant as "approximately"?
Bill
I said approximately because I meant approximately. They varied in length slightly. The defining factor as I also said but will repeat here is that the tube was short enough that you do not have to push down the tube into the trunk mat material when the antenna is positioned vertical.
Where do you get the repro version?
Quote from: 67 GT350 on July 30, 2023, 07:29:02 PM
Where do you get the repro version?
Ebay is one place . https://www.ebay.com/itm/266341808427
Yep. That's where the one in my photo came from
Your original used antenna is correct lenght.
Quote from: Special Ed on July 30, 2023, 11:00:50 PM
Your original used antenna is correct lenght.
I will agree to disagree. They're always exceptions. Not typical IMO unless you can stand it up straight if dealer installed that way.
Repro is 500 big ones?
Just checked 5 of my original pm-300 shelby antennas and the tube lenghts are 13 3/4'' and the repo was made from an original i sent to joel metro parts back years ago to make since he bought out a huge antenna inventory that made parts for gm mopar and ford and he had lots of parts to assemble factory antennas. The pm-300 was an old pontiac rear mount antenna and i have found them in junk yards back years ago and they have a longer lenght tube than the shelby and thats why the shelby antenna mast dont go down all the way like the old pontiacs did that had longer tubes. I have 1 shortened shelby antenna and u can tell by the end of tube it had been cut off and the crimping isnt the same and i shortened some pontiac antennas years ago to 13 3/4'' like my originals. If u shorten the tube then the mast sticks up higher out of the car of which is noticeable. Remember the dealer installed the antennas and being unique to the 69-70 shelbys mounted in rear quarter so depending on where the the guy cut the hole they could fit differently and some dealers may have shortened them or restoration shops etc over the years. Also the quarter panels are different between fastback and convertibles. So check the tube end cut and crimp to an unmolested shelby antenna and see if its been shortened.
Quote from: Special Ed on July 31, 2023, 11:15:03 AM
Just checked 5 of my original pm-300 shelby antennas and the tube lenghts are 13 3/4'' and the repo was made from an original i sent to joel metro parts back years ago to make since he bought out a huge antenna inventory that made parts for gm mopar and ford and he had lots of parts to assemble factory antennas. The pm-300 was an old pontiac rear mount antenna and i have found them in junk yards back years ago and they have a longer lenght tube than the shelby and thats why the shelby antenna mast dont go down all the way like the old pontiacs did that had longer tubes. I have 1 shortened shelby antenna and u can tell by the end of tube it had been cut off and the crimping isnt the same and i shortened some pontiac antennas years ago to 13 3/4'' like my originals. If u shorten the tube then the mast sticks up higher out of the car of which is noticeable. Remember the dealer installed the antennas and being unique to the 69-70 shelbys mounted in rear quarter so depending on where the the guy cut the hole they could fit differently and some dealers may have shortened them or restoration shops etc over the years. Also the quarter panels are different between fastback and convertibles. So check the tube end cut and crimp to an unmolested shelby antenna and see if its been shortened.
Thanks Ed, makes me feel a bit more comfortable that the antenna in my 70 GT350 convertible is original.
Bill
Meant in a friendly respectful way I agree to disagree. I have been around 69 /70 Shelby's since 1969 when my sister and her husband bought one when new. I have owned many and been around hundreds since then. I have seen numerous starting back in the day straight up. That was before people changed them . They came tilted and straight up because the dealer installed them . I have seen them that way on fastback and convertible. It is hard to install them straight up like many were at 13 3/4 so that suggests at the very least that there were varying lengths. That is why I disagree with your absolute that there was only one length like you contend. You of course are welcome to your opinion and I to mine but I for one am skeptical based on my observations over the years.
I have 5 here. 3 are real and 2 repops. 2 of the originals and 2 of the repops measure 13 3/4". This would hold true to Ed's claim that Joel is copying the repos off originals. The other original I have measures 15 1/4. Its real but I suspect earlier Pontiac version
I think over the years guys have shortened the long pontiac tube and didnt have an original shelby antenna to copy the correct length so they cut them to fit the car. The 13 3/4'' antenna is a tight fit and usually hits the trunk mat or lh fillerboard but thats why there is a bottom wrap around bracket and flat strap with holes in to adjust antenna angle to fit the car and i have seen that strap installed several different ways depending on how the dealer did it and where he drilled the top quarterpanel hole . Years ago i found an original 69 shelby antenna template sheet that u lay ontop of quarterpanel to drill hole but havent seen it in years its here SOMEWHERE!!!!
I have had the dramatically longer ones before I don't remember the length but 15 inch something sounds about right. I just remember it was too long IMO to use without cutting off because of the resulting extreme tilt and how it would look inside the trunk. Another example of varying length as I mentioned before. I can't imagine that antenna without the loop bracket around the base with steel strap connected to the wheel house to stabilize the bottom other wise the leverage on the top side would make it too easy to move. Ed I can vouch for you having the template. I can remember you showing it to me and us talking about given the template how many variation of hole location one sees if looking down a long lined up row of 69/70 Shelby rear quarters. If I can find the picture I most likely took of it I will post if I have your permission. That is if I can find it in my unsorted un labeled picture file. :o
The hole for my antenna was drilled too far forward on my early car #100. The pm300 shaft contacts the wheel housing, and I have a forward tilt to the antenna on the top side. I bought one of the eBay non functional ones and use a dipole antenna under the dash pad, which works well.