Antenna Location

Paul_Heery · Paul_Heery's Garage

I've just noticed something else strange about my car (besides the owner, wiseguy!). My antenna is on the passenger side.

I was looking at pictures of 914s in the Pelican Owners Gallery and all (except one) had the antenna on the driver's side.

Is this a known variation?

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Many or most of the radios appear to have been installed by the dealers. (Read: Extra profit margin.) As such, the antenna was put on whichever side the guy installing them wanted to.

--DD

ruddyboys · 06-13-2002, 06:17 AM

I never even thought about the antenna. I looked and found I dont have a antenna. Had a AM radio that would not work.

HMeeder · HMeeder's Garage

I had heard (like Dave) that since the radio was a dealer installed option, the antenna could appear on either side.

My '74 had it on the driver's side
The '72 on the passenger's

yoh!!! · yoh!!!'s Garage

Not all the radios seem to be dealer installed. I noticed a while ago a copy of an order form, which listed an option for a radio package. IIRC the package included the US version of a Blaupunkt Frankfurt (cheap version with only AM FM, no LM and KW) Blaupunkt speakers and a Hirschmann antenna)

Patrick Koch

Rob-O · 06-13-2002, 04:47 PM

Well, they can be on the order form, it just wasn't installed at the factory.

On the drivers side of the front trunk, up near the brake fluid reservior, you'll notice a little plastic plug on the inner fender well. My assumption is that they were all meant to go on the driver's side, with the antenna mast inside the wheel well. Then the wire for the antenna would be run through this little plug or grommet or whatever you want to call it. Then over to the grommet on the firewall behind the radio.

I guess since it was done on both sides of the car when they were new, a restoration could be either side also.

rfoulds · rfoulds's Garage

My first 914 had it in a very unique place that I loved. On the engine cover grill, drivers side. The small black screen area next to the engine lid. It took me a while, but I figured out how the PO did it.

First, a hole was cut the size of the Hirschamn antenna ball mount. Then, a big washer was welded in to look like a stock hole was nicely finished.

This put the antenna in a real cool lookin', rake backed position.