I'd like to ask a question based on the "never-say-never" MOPAR builds and that the Engineering drawing doesn't really address this aspect.

So I went to mount the antenna (original hardware) and notice the base can be mounted only two ways, with very minor clocking adjustment once installed.

A friend of mine has pic's of his prior to teardown the way opposite I believe to be as intended. Unfortunately my pics prior to teardown had the antenna removed.

So I'm hoping a few of you have pics of your AAR's prior to teardown or survivor pics to ref.

So I loosely placed the mounts in and placed a screw driver in the hole to show the positioning.

Option 1 - Basically straight up and down, it appears this position will clear the ducktail when the trunk is opened and should pose no other issues.

Option 2 - By turning the hardware 180 degrees out the position changes to leaning AFT and Outboard. This too clears the ducktail when the trunk is open by leaning just Outboard of the spoiler, due to the leaned back angle this would be needed.

(pics to follow)

Option 1

Option 2

OMG, so annoying, why do the images turn on their side and how can I correct it . . .??
They open correctly when not in this thread.

Straight up.

(the antenna, I can see sideways just fine, so I am not picking on your photos self-orientation)

Thanks Barry, of course I have little doubt a few got installed incorrectly at the factory, and in his case if he chooses to prove it with a photo, that would be acceptable in my opinion.

My original paint car has the antenna straight up. It's never been off.

Antenna masts were not installed at the factory. For an AAR the mast would have been shipped in the trunk with the trim rings & side exhaust pipes for dealership installation.

So it would be very unlikely to find a 'factory' photo of an AAR with the mast installed.

Were the antennas shipped with a template for where to drill the hole or were they drilled or stamped out with the hole?

The holes were pre-punched (for cars optioned with a radio).

The bases were installed at the factory.

But the masts were shipped in the trunk.

Perhaps semantics but the base installation is what determines the antenna mast angle, so it would still be a factory error as all the dealer did was thread in the mast.

Thanks guys

Mine

Mine is straight up on my car.

Think about it this way;

The antenna base has a provision for the antenna cable from the radio to attach to.

So, logic would dictate that that the installer would point that connection towards the front of the car where the radio is to avoid a sharp, unnecessary bend in the cable.

.....

Here's mine and it's straight up......

Do AARs and T/As come with a rectangular reinforcement plate under the quarter panel? I've seen a couple for sale on eBay and don't see it on the engineering drawing. I'm moving the antenna on my Challenger to the quarter panel (I like the look) and am wondering if I need to get one of those brackets?

I have a spare one here somewhere.