Replacement spring style antenna for late bay?

[Cap10323]

Does anyone know where I can find the 'spring style' antenna for my '77? I don't know if these were OEM or a dealer option, but I feel like I've seen this style of antenna on many other older vehicles, so I figure it's got to be a pretty universal item. I think I just don't know what keywords to look for.

I think it's a two piece whip (not sure if it telescopes or not), which has a sprung base at the bottom. And the sprung base attaches to the mount with a small set screw.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about (NotchBoy's beautiful '77 pictured)

I bought a repro antenna from Bus Depot a couple months back, and it was just the cheapest, flimsiest piece of shit. A cheap hollow antenna crimped onto a chintzy plastic base. Since I already have this very nice solid metal base attached to my Bus, I figure it's worth trying to find the antenna that fits it.
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-Ian

'77 Westfalia - 2.0 F.I

[Boesen]

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_12044US401/Replacement-Side-Mount-Antenna.html

I put one of these on my 68.
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1979 Westfalia Deluxe http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=474334&highlight=iowa

[Cap10323]

[Jetfxr69]

Hell, for $12, im gonna get one. And I have the OG one still installed. Its bent and rusty, so might as well go new
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You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer. Zappa

‘77 westy Seamus
‘76 tintop Crusher
‘77 westy The Judge
‘72 tintop bastard westy Hudson

[Boesen]

On my 79 I have the original yet. When looking to replace the 68 one I found that at Crutchfield. Works great. Glad I could help.
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1979 Westfalia Deluxe http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=474334&highlight=iowa

[Wildthings]

I had a spiral wound antenna with an extra flexible area at the bottom that lasted me longer than any other automotive antenna I have ever had. Would love to find another.

[obieoberstar]

thanks for the link to the Crutchfield antenna. for $12 i might buy 2.

looks to be the same mounting base as the one on my '79, but has the 'spring' in it.

[Emily's Owner]

Thanks for the link - just bought one. I've had so many broken off my bus over the years when parked in downtown Portland - not sure why it was so tempting to reach out and bust the antenna off.

The current one is pretty wobbly, so something sturdy is way better.
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Xargaret

ITMC - OG Den Mother

What (and I cannot stress this enough) The Actual Fuck?!

1974 Transporter
2023 Subaru Outback

[fokker100]

For those who bought it, how is the product?
I just received mine from Banggood and it is a piece of crap…

[Cap10323]

[Cap10323]

Okay, so the antenna arrived.

It's surprisingly well made, actually. The whip and spring are really high quality, the base is plastic but it's pretty well molded.


The problem is that the antenna attaches to the base with a screw thread, not a set screw like the old style. Meaning it will not work with your vintage metal antenna bracket.

I mean, I guess you could take the old bracket off and try to cut threads on it with a die, but that sounds too much like work to me. Plus, my old mounting post was pretty corroded.

So, you have to change the bracket too, which isn't that big of a deal.

All in all, for $12 I don't think you can go wrong.

_________________
-Ian

'77 Westfalia - 2.0 F.I

[fokker100]

Thanks for the comments.

I finally decided to put the Wolfsburg West one as it looks familiar to yours. But it doesn’t feel heavy or strong, although it is the best I’ve found so far.
I wished there was a nice and strong one with all metal, that doesn’t make any noise when you touch the antenna and stays tight. Oh well, one day perhaps.

Enjoy your music!

[raygreenwood]

It may or may not help...but the best overall antenna's....are made by Hirschmann.

look for them by name. Lots of NOS and vintage out there.

The modern version is available for teh 1977 bus at Autohuaz AZ...but lots of stuff out there if you can find a part #. Ray

[Cap10323]