Automatic Radio Antenna

[Litton]

I believe my '72 280 SEL should have an automatic ant. If so, somwhere along the line it was replaced.

Does anyone know of a scource for these items. I have looked on e-bay but I'm not sure of the interchanagablity from year to year.

tks all.

[ctaylor738]

Google Palo Alto Speedometer - they know all about this stuff.

[300SDog]

Front Right fender mount vs. Left Rear fender mount would probably mark the distinction among automatic antenna motors.

My '74 280/8 had an old fossilized front fender mounted ant/ motor completely destroyed by the elements. The '79 240D had the remains of rear inside-trunk ant/motor that has since been pulled by me and thrown into the backyard trash heap because it never worked.

If your '72 was intended to have this amazing feature, it could be the first year of this revolutionary device appearing on MB sedans. Having an automatic antenna that works will no doubt set your car apart from ALL others.

Perhaps a Hirschmann (brand) antenna?

http://www.hirschmann-usa.com/aa/faq.asp

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Hirshmann was the Mercedes 'factory' power antenna for many years. My Dad had a power Hirshmann, with the large aluminum case, in his '66 W108 250SE along with a 4 band Becker Grand Prix signal seeking radio. I still have the corroded remains of that antenna, which got replaced with a junkyard unit. At some point, by the late '70s Hirshmann switched to a smaller plastic case design, which were also fitted to many BMWs. Most of them can be adapted to fit your car. Main consideration is the mast mount. Up through about the early '80s Mercedes and BMW used a chrome mast with a chrome plated brass nut and washer over a black plastic saddle and rubber pad, to secure the antenna in the fender hole. If you don't find a 1972 Hirshmann, one of these would be the best replacement for your original.

Later Hirshmanns had the mast and other visible metal parts finished in black.
Finally, the brass nut and washer were eliminated and the antennas were only secured from below. Those masts simply protruded through a fender-mounted rubber grommet.

If you decide to use one of the later Hirshmann antennas, you'll probably need to make up mounting brackets and adapt wiring connectors for the motor. If you must have the original Hirshmann, salvage yards or Ebay are probably your best choice.

Happy Motoring, Mark