psdenno

Be sure to set your alarm tonight. Dennis

There aren't a lot of choices. You can have the short floppy black rubber one that miscreants won't break off to make a zip gun or you can have the shiny chrome extendable kind that they will. Even if you get the extendable type that can be fully collapsed and locked, there will be a time that you forget to push it down and someone will break it off or bend it double just because it's there. A couple questions.... What manual types have you looked at so far? Why not get an electric antenna? Dennis

Nice! Looks like new.......as best I can remember from 45 years ago when I picked mine up from the dealer. Dennis

Fuse - either in-line, in fuse box, or both locations. Dennis

The separate switch Mark mentions came in two versions on the early cars. The earliest switch was a vertical rocker switch on the right side of the radio faceplate - right of the tuning knob. The 2nd generation switch was a smaller horizontal switch on the faceplate located directly above the radio tuning knob. Either switch enabled the driver to fully or partially extend or retract the factory electric antenna. Sounds like you have a newer style antenna that automatically fully extends and retracts when your aftermarket radio is turned on or off. If you want to control it, you'll have to add an ON/OFF switch to the power line between the radio and the antenna. Not a pretty solution, but about the only way you will get control of the movement of the new antenna. Dennis

Here in Alta California, it's a common term of endearment. Dennis

Good for you, you did the right thing by being assertive as I suggested earlier. Now, for lesson #2. Since they told you kerosene would take the paint off safely (questionable), the next thing you need to do is go back to them and say, "Show me, pendejo!" They created a problem that shouldn't be your's to fix. Keep after them until they get tired of seeing you. Dennis

Did you happen to ask the paint shop to clean it up? If you try to clean it and mess up the dash, it's your fault/problem. If the shop tries to clean it, they probably have the correct material. If they mess it up, it's their problem to rectify. Be assertive. Dennis

OK, but only nine more times until you have a matching set. Dennis

Why that would be Jingles P. Jones from East Sidalia. How about his other Devine TV show and the phrase, "Plunk your magic twanger, Froggy"? Dennis

Sometimes, injuries like that are just God's way of saying, "Slow down, pull over. Sit on the couch, watch TV, and drink a beer.". Consider it Devine intervention. Speedy recovery! Dennis

Too bad that the door jam plate picture is too fuzzy to read. Kind of makes that photo useless. Dennis

Here's what happened. Sometime during the last 44 years, the original factory installed electric antenna stopped working or the mast broke off. The owner, being a cheap bastard, saw the price of a replacement factory electric antenna and opted to replace the factory electric with a $7 manual antenna from the local auto parts store. Doesn't really matter when your '72 Z was manufactured, it came with an electric antenna and a control switch to raise and lower it on the original factory radio face plate. Sounds like you also have an aftermarket radio and faceplate so the antenna switch is long gone. Did you notice the electrical wiring for the original antenna in the space next to the radio speaker? Dennis

Electric. Dennis

I agree. If a fire starts while you're driving, pull over, turn off ignition, get out, run, call 911, call your insurance company. Fire extinguishers are handy if you're working on your car, with the hood open, and an engine fire starts. Dennis

Tomorrow's another day Dennis

As far as Social Security goes, you take a substantial hit if you start collecting at 62 compared to 65. Something to remember is that if you don't start collecting at 65/66, your entitlement amount goes up 8% a year for every year you delay until age 70. You kind of have to play the odds if longevity runs in your family. Interestingly, 70 is the last legally significant birthday you have to keep track of (16 for driving, 18 to vote, 21 to drink, 65/66 for SS & Medicare, 70 for maximum SS and mandatory time to start tapping IRA accounts for required minimum distributions if you haven't already.) so mark your calendar, take your chances, and plan your retirement Z budget accordingly. Dennis

W SW = On/Off switch on that three function radio control knob. Car radio controls were much more user friendly, easy to find while weaving through traffic, and within reach back then. The driver didn't need to take eyes off the road or have tiny fingers to change stations or adjust volume like we do with current car entertainment systems. Progress? I'm not sure. Dennis

Yup. Sarcasm. No FM on the early Zs. At that time in history, there were plenty of radio stations broadcasting in FM, just not many car radios able to listen. FM was mostly enjoyed on the home stereo receiver. Life was simpler in those AM radio days. Dennis

Nice job! All you need is a silver Sharpie, a steady hand, and balls the size of watermelons. The silver on my center console has held up well for a few years now with no sign of wear or flaking. Dennis

You are a fortunate survivor after being broadsided by a vehicle with twice the mass of your Z. Sorry about the extensive damage to your car, glad your injuries weren't more severe. Every time I drive my Z I have concern about being in a similar accident with the limited crash protection a 46 year old car offers. Dennis

I brought my '71 home from the mechanic's shop where it had been for several weeks. It was one of those "no hurry, work on it when you have time" projects. He gave the Z a thorough going over, tightened everything that wasn't supposed to be loose, replaced a few parts, tuned the carbs, and it drives better than it has in years - especially without all the rattles creaks it had acquired. Now it's time to get to work on installing the driver's side BMW seat and attaching headlight covers to a spare set of headlight pods that will eventually go on the car. Dennis

And it has the "original AM/FM radio". New paint can hide a multitude of automotive indescretions acquired over 46 years. Dennis

Looks like you found the right man for the job. He wants to do it once and do it right. If it makes you feel any cooler, it's a balmy 102º here today and I'll be picking my '71 up from the shop a little later this afternoon. Dennis

I can't find the one I used to highlight my center console raised sections, but if what you have is a silver Sharpie fine tip you should be good to go. I used the side of the tip near the tip and it worked fine. A couple years later, all is still good. Dennis