83 H/O Antenna Question

[jpoole]

Hi, I bought a 1983 H/O back in the day new. I ordered with radio delete as I wanted to add aftermarket radio at the time and it cam without an antenna. I recently got back into these cars and bought one a couple of months ago. This one has a fender mounted non-power steel mask antenna. It also has power seats and moon roof and suspect that it had a power antenna that has been replaced with a stell mask antenna. IDK

Few Questions:
1. Did cars come with steel masks or were they windshield antennas back in 83 when power was not ordered?
2. Anyone use a Retrosound PA-03 to retrofit power antenna to our cars?
3. Any better way to add power antenna?

Thanks, Jeff

 

[69hurstolds]

The 83 H/O had a fender mounted antenna either powered or not. It was still an option (U75). What you need is a power antenna that fits your car (and lower mount bracket if it's not on the antenna already), the proper bezel and spacer on top of the fender for a power antenna. If power leads are not installed, you'd need the power antenna relay under the kick panel and the wiring for that. Unless you can find some decent used, if you go with genuine GM parts, you'll be paying as I think they're all discontinued from GM. At least the entire antenna assembly, spacer and bezel are.

Check inside the passenger fender to see if you have the antenna power leads. If they're still there, likely all you'd need is the power antenna assembly/lower mount bracket/bezel/spacer and you'd be good to go.

G-bodyparts.com sells aftermarket spacers. Not sure who sells the power antenna bezels if you can even find them new any more