So in the process of getting to know my new to me Bathurst-X (not new to FDs in general though), I noticed something...my car has no radio antenna on the body.

I swear my past FDs had a retractable antenna like my FCs did. This one however, nothing. No hole for where an antenna would be whatsoever.

Can someone with a rhd confirm or deny the presence of a factory retractable radio antenna on the back?

 

Was the car ever painted or had bodywork done to it? Maybe one of its PO's removed the antenna and plugged the hole.

At least that's how I got my USDM FD from its PO - he had the antenna hole welded over when he painted the car. So far none of the "hidden" antennas I've tried, or the OEM antenna element that's on the rear glass work very well for FM reception where I live. I like the way it looks without the mast, but I may end up drilling the hole to mount a mast antenna.

 

I don't believe it's had any bodywork done to it. The auction sheet didn't depict any, nor did the japanese history report I ordered. Of course that's not a be all end all obviously.

Maybe it's a Bathurst-X thing? I doubt it but who knows.

 

My 97 Bathurst X has an Antenna. I'd agree with Pete that it was probably shaved at some point.

 

I thought all FDs came with antennas in the same location, no matter the trim or model year.

My 92 type r had an antenna before I removed it

 

possible that it didn't have a radio from the factory...

 

wait, are you joking? I'm not trying to doubt your intellect, but I'm questioning whether you are being serious or not. Its a Bathurst-X, while I have no idea if those came with radios from the factory or not, I would imagine they would have.

 

It was most likely removed and the hole was filled over at some point, do you have speaker grills in your car? You could always use a paint meter to measure the thickness of the coating and compare the reading to other parts of the car

 

I do, and an aftermarket radio, might have to check and see. It looks well done for being covered.

 

I guess if you wanted to know for sure you could pull the hatch plastics and look at the underside of where the antenna would go. If it was covered you would probably see a patch welded in.

As far as I know all FD's left the factory with antennas. This car is near 30 years old, that's a LOT of time for people to have done stuff to the car - paint jobs, body work, etc. etc. etc. Very few of these cars at this point are untouched from the factory.

Dale

 

from the brochure. as in bro are you sure? no, no we're not.

 

That's a 96 I'm guessing. Mine's a 95. That picture is close enough to giving me an answer that its mildly frustrating, haha. I wish I could open that top cubby hole.

 

not a cubby, its a block off plate

 

That does solve the question of my curiosity. I suppose I should look and see how it was covered. I'm no body person, but it looks like it was done rather well.

 

Its actually not that uncommon for cars to get delivered without a radio in Japan. You see newish/new cars with aftermarket type head units all the time.