63 Tbird antenna stuck in up postition

[BP63]

Hi, I just purchased a 63 convertible, and the antenna is stuck in the up position. I presumed this was a power antenna that might need to be replaced, but after looking through the parts catalogs the antennas don't appear to be powered up/down.

can anyone confirm that power antennas were not an option in 63, and if it's certainly manual, any suggestions for how to loosen it so I can push it down and get the cover to fit? thanks very much

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[64ZCODE]

No clue, but on my '64, the antenna is manual and can be unscrewed when not in use (as in my case where the radio doesn't work anyway) and stowed in the trunk.

 

[64ZCODE]

Let us know more about your '63 when you get the chance please

 

[BP63]

Let us know more about your '63 when you get the chance please

just purchased at auction last week. Extensive service records and appears to have been restored around 199o in Philadelphia by a specialist. Has been in the same collection for 25 years, and he replaced a lot of other things. Added dual stainless exhausts, new engine, and it appears replaced anything that started to show signs of wear, including all top hydraulics and relays. Rangoon red, not original. fun car, a bit of an adjustment, as my last convertible was a 64 Cadillac. Whole different animal.

 

[64ZCODE]

Very cool. The Ford ads from back in the day said that you're not driving, you're "thunderbirding"🙂

 

[Angry Bird]

Power antenna's weren't an option until 1965 or 66 , so what you have is a manual telescoping antenna. These generally suffer from the grease drying out causing them to cease or bind making them difficult to raise or lower. I would suggest that you use some graphite fluid or similar penetrant and work it slowly. I would go so far as to remove it from the car to work on it so as not to damage the paint.

I converted the antenna on my 64 to a power antenna using the original base and incorporating an after market power antenna marrying the two as mine is a a fender mount antenna. The addition of new radio (can't think of the name) designed for the Thunderbird wired it into the radio and it comes up when I turn the radio on or turn the key on. Looks original, works like a charm.

Gord

 

[64ZCODE]

Hi AB, that's interesting. The antenna on my '64 is not telescoping, it's a a whip antenna that screws onto the base. May not be original?

 

[Angry Bird]

Hi AB, that's interesting. The antenna on my '64 is not telescoping, it's a a whip antenna that screws onto the base. May not be original?

Yup, that is an auto parts store replacement antenna used to replace a broken off antenna either going through a car wash or most often some vandal broke it off.

The antenna you have probably has a spring at the base which is sttached over the remaining shaft with an allan nut securing it to the original shaft. So not an original antenna. I had one of those on one of my cars in the past. Works fine but not pretty.

Gord

 

[64ZCODE]

OK, mystery solved. No spring on this one but makes sense that its aftermarket. Thanks for the info.

Doug