MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
Just bought a 74 and there is no Antenna. I've noticed several photos that show both no antenna and antenna. MY B still has the original FM/AM radio, but it does not appear to work. Am interested in replacing with a modern unit. Is there anything in particular I need to be concerned about?
Radios and antennas were dealer installed, not factory. Radios do not work well without an antenna
if you put an attractive , expensive unit in your car, it will make it worth while to cut the roof to get to it. Get something, simple even better, get one from a junk yard. If that is not do able get what you want but recess it into the dash where a face plate blank will fit over it. Many have done it here and youcan find the receipe for it.
Nathan,
For a modern radio you will most likely have to fabricate an adapter. All of the new radios I have seen slide into the opening somewhat like a disk drive in a computer. The old radios were attached using the tuning/volume control shafts.
Welcome to the MGE!
Antennae location varies as stated, they were dealer installed.
You'll also need to decide on where to put speakers. Do you have original single speaker under passenger side dash? There are allot of options for this.
You can do a search for speaker and radio installation.
RS
I have the original AM radio which was dealer installed. The antenna is mounted on the right front fender. I was able to get 3 stations, but I installed a nicer, more "period correct" antenna and now get a whopping six!! I rarely turn it on, but I like the fact that it works.
My radio did not work at all when I got the car. I figured "what the heck", so I took it apart, blew it out with compressed air and cleaned it really good with electrical cleaner. I then installed an antenna (to be replaced later with the "period correct" version" and Viola... it worked!
Steve
Welcome Nathan, congrats on your 74 B
My 79 has a Pioneer in it with the removable face plate. My antenna is installed on the drivers side, dont have a pic of it tho.
I have also read on here where some have the "hidden" atenna installed on thiers.
Maybe they will chime in.
hidden antenaes of that era were usually a small wire imbedded in the windshield of GM cars. Way too sophisticated for a Brit. You could check with a stereo shop for some new tech "hidden antenae" if you don't want to show.
I left the dealer system in 1972, but up until that time the radios and antennas were all dealer installed.
NOTE: It is CRITICAL as t exactly where you cut the hole. Pick the wrong place and you will regret it forever.
Check this out... http://www.jackscars.net/antenna_mgb.html
Jack
Do a search of this site, Comart (Peter Cummins) has installed an antennae across the bottom of his dash...out of sight, fully extended, and no holes to regret.
Has anyone installed one behind the the cont.top and the trunk.
