retractable antenna

[xfactor9]

Are there are any cars/trucks in production that have a retractable antenna? If not, then what was the last model?

The last car I had w/ a retractable antenna was an early 1990s model. I also had a late 90s car with a non-retractable antenna. I couldn't take it to the automatic car wash

 

[TallPaul]

I have a 1997 Ford Escort with an antenna that can be pushed in, same as a retractable but you have to manually push it in. But, I think you are talking about an electric retractable, no?

 

[exranger06]

I think motorized antennas went out of style in the 90s. They're basically obsolete now anyway, since the traditional "coat hanger" style antenna has been replaced with these super short ones:

My 92 Accord has a motorized antenna. I replaced it once a few years ago because the original one would get stuck about halfway and make a horrible grinding noise. The car looks ugly with the antenna up, so I replaced it with a universal motorized one. I hardly ever listen to AM/FM radio, so it stays down 99% of the time.

 

[Donald]

My 1999 Dodge Ram has one almost retractable. I enter the car wash with it all the way up, By magic its down, or maybe the attendant took it off, then after the car wash its back up again.

 

[eljefino]

My 89 mazda 323 had this very lengthy one poking out of the roof that disappeared into the A-pillar.

Unlike most, it wasn't telescoping-- just one long chunk of wire.

 

[jimbeamalki]

My 2002 Taurus wagon has one, so I'm guessing at least Taurus wagons up through 2007 had one. Had to replace the staff once because the wife kept going through the car wash and forgetting to put it down and it got all mangled. Only car I ever owned that had one. I guess if you live in a ghetto and don't have a garage they might make sense, but I never understood why they made them--talk about extra expense for nothing. To play a CD, you have to have the radio on, so it goes up even if you don't want to listen to the radio.

 

[exranger06]

Originally Posted By: jimbeamalki
To play a CD, you have to have the radio on, so it goes up even if you don't want to listen to the radio.

My Sony aftermarket stereo keeps the antenna down if you're listening to a CD or USB device, and will raise the antenna only if you're listening to AM or FM radio. I have my iPod hooked up to my stereo and that's all I ever listen to in the car, so like I said, my antenna stays down 99% of the time.

 

[y_p_w]

My '95 Integra had a motorized telescoping antenna. It was either fully up or fully down depending on whether or not the stereo was on. It stayed up even when playing a cassette. I had it replaced once at a dealer for about $100. The motor was fine but the antenna was messed up.

Before that, I drove an '89 Integra, which had a manually retractable single antenna mounted just above the driver side door. It was maybe an 18" long single piece of metal and could be pulled out or retractable from the drivers seat with the window open. It retracted into a sleeve inside the diagonal portion of the door frame.

I remember a Mercedes-Benz telescoping antenna from the 80s. It had the most overengineered antenna control I'd ever seen. There was a rocker switch that would lock at the top and bottom if pressed hard enough. The user could raise or lower the antenna. However, there was an issue of which part of the antenna was on the outside. You could start from it fully retracted, and only the thinnest part could be up. Or you could fully extend it, then retract and the fattest part of the antenna would be outside.

Of course my most recent car has gone full circle to an antenna built into the rear window around the rear defrost elements. I don't have any issues with reception. However, it (along with the rear defrost) makes for a more expensive replacement if there's an issue.

 

[Lyman]

My 99 Ranger has a non retractable. I replaced the mast with a short rubber one I picked up at Autozone. Works great and the car washes are no hassle.

 

[babyivan]

My Ciera's power antenna is non-operable. I'm able to get it down a bit manually when I go to the car wash.

I would get a stubby antenna but they suck for AM radio which I happen listen to here in NYC.