Does anyone have a picture of what a '32 running board antenna looks like?

[Tim Ayers]

Hi All:

I purchased a box lot from the Hetland auction today which includes a bunch '32 radio parts. I won't know for sure until they arrive, but it appears it may also come with a running board antenna. Does anyone have a picture of one to confirm? Also, is there a cover or some type shield that went over the antenna? The lot came with an aluminum shield piece that looks like the mounting holes would line up with the length of the running board brackets. It's possible this is an antenna for an open car.

I tried to Google it, but nothing definitive came up.

I'd appreciate it any help.

Thanks,

Tim

[deuce lover]

The open car and closed car antenna are the same.There are 2 pictures of one mounted under the running board of a tudor in David's '32 book.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by deuce lover

The open car and closed car antenna are the same.There are 2 pictures of one mounted under the running board of a tudor in David's '32 book.

Thank you. I just found a pict. from an old add and what's in the lot is indeed a running board antenna.

I am no expert, but I kept reading that closed cars used the chicken wire in the top. Is that not accurate?

[deuce lover]

No not accurate.The '32 radio boxes were installed in the floor where it dips down behind the front seat towards the seat riser like in a sedan. .The radio head was clamped on the steering column. I recently had a '32 radio but was missing the antenna.Here are pics.When the 34 radio was introduced the chicken wire was the antenna for the closed car. The spare tire cover was the antenna for the open car TMK.

[BoxCar Tom]

I see two lots 1435 and 3001 with radio parts. i don't see an antenna in either one? Is there a third with the antenna?

[Tim Ayers]

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Originally Posted by BoxCar Tom

I see two lots 1435 and 3001 with radio parts. i don't see an antenna in either one? Is there a third with the antenna?

Tom

I’ll post the lot # when I get home

[DavidG]

Tim,


Pages 19-5 and 6 plus the entirety of Appendix 19 of the '32 book are devoted to the radio with installation instructions, photos of and the manufacturer's description of the many components involved. Also included are the locations of the holes to be cut into the floor of the various body types for the two big canisters containing the motor generator and receiver. The running board antenna consisted of two parts, a long horizontal corrugated steel panel mounted with insulated springs running beneath the left side running board and a rubber mud flap-like component attached at the junction of the front fender and the running board. Embedded in the vertical antenna component is a length of flat spring steel for support. There two great archives photos on page A-19-7 of the installed antenna(s) on a car on a lift that leave no doubt as to what the two antenna components looked like.

The '32 radio was a late release (August, 1932) and very expensive ($49.50 installed) costing almost 10% of the price of new '32 passenger car. The most common survivors are the '33 version which is basically the same except for the speaker mounting brackets and completely different antennas (two versions depending on body type). I noticed in Gene's auction that there was a correct '32 speaker bracket reproduction.

Unlike the '33s and '34s, the design of the '32 closed car roof inserts precludes the use of the chicken wire used there as the wire is grounded to the body roof sheet metal.

Contrary to what many believe, the familiar glove box radios were also late releases and were not available prior to August, 1933. That delay carried over into the '34 model year and the '34 ash tray radio was also a late release.


The speaker bracket reproduction and what appears to be at least part of the elaborate wiring that is involved (likely the accurate reproduction from Rhode Island Wiring) were in lot GH1435 which was a real bargain at a hammer price of $25. The light-colored panel further down in the box appears to be a lid for one of the floor-mounted canisters, which along with their lids were originally cadmium plated. Lot GH3001 contained what appear to be the heart of radio's operation, namely the receiver, motor generator, and the steering column-mounted tuner, all in what appears to be fair condition at best and not much of a bargain given the apparent condition and absence of many of the required components.

[DavidG]

Below are a couple of Ford archives photos of a '32 radio's two part running board antenna. Note also in the second photo the two cadmium-plated canisters for the radio's motor generator and receiver protruding through holes cut in the car's floor.

[Krylon32]

Wonder how that radio antenna survived with the roads of the day?