Like the ***le says, what diameter tube do you use for a sunken antenna? I have a power antenna that I want to sink into the rear fender of my 49 Buick.
find the antenna you wanna use, get your hardware sorted , wont need the swivley parts because angle will be fixed, slide a deep socket on , a tube size that gives you just enough on that socket ... dont forget to add a drain fabricator john, miss you dad
I have a hazy memory of an old customizing article where a guy cut up a shock absorber to use as the recess for a sunken antenna. Never have tried it, but for some reason I had that weird tidbit stored in the back of my brain.
I use 2" take a cheap socket that fits the nut then weld some s**** metal to the outside so you can slide it over the stalk I use 1/4" brake tube for the drain .
I've done it with small diameter tubes and large ones. I think the large ones look the best; about 1 1/2"
As long as the diameter is big enough to clear your socket to tighten the nut life is good. Location does do a bit in determining the diameter. Drain hole and tube are a must. If you aren't using an electric antenna one of those that goes down flush or almost flush works pretty good as a frenched antenna. You can pull it up to the height you want to show and push It down if you are parked where you don't want it screwed with. You need room below the tube to use one though. What ever tube you use turn it so the weld seam in the tube is to the outside so it doesn't show when you are standing looking at it from the side or at an angle.
Sunken (a.k.a. "Frenched") antennas were a common item on the 1950's customs. I saw them all the time in the little car magazines. As far as the "non-OEM" comment, either you are a troll or you accidentally wandered into the wrong website...
I remember the old shock body being used too. Yeah its hard to remember a popular custom back in the day that didn't have a frenched antenna to go with the headlights and taillights. Heck I remember a few had a 2 or more frenched antennae...
A 49 Buick ...Cool...this article should give you a idea..and its a "Traditional" custom modification. Buick on Buick...Cool. Sent from my SM-T387V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
the best opening for an antenna is about 1/4" so just the ball on the end shows. I can't picture a car where it looks better with big holes for an antenna
If I remember I believe mine was 1 1/2 washer welded in bottom Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B. View attachment 5007287
49ratfink, according to TrailerTrash, you and I either are trolls, or we wandered onto the wrong site by mistake. Maybe I should go cut some holes in my 55.
been trolling here for 17 years. sunken antenna's, dummy spots, cruiser skirts and continental kits all seem to go together. paint 'lost in the 50's" on the quarter panel with some music notes and you are done
I usually sink my antenna's into a tube roughly two feet in diameter ... can be plastic or metal. Every Thursday the town comes around and empties that tube into a big, stinky truck Honestly, that is one modification I have never understood
I'm going to bow to a better argument. I have a soft spot for a well executed Frenched antenna - Totally agree with dummy spots, cruiser skirts and continental kits. Can I add randomly placed, NON-functional scoops to that list? Russ
I think that 1953-4 Buick headlight bezels are overdone and do not really care for fender skirts. Sometimes you just have to listen to your car and give it what it wants... Russ
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