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Probably it does need cleaned. I gently smacked it against the workbench a few times, we'll see if that loosens things up, and go from there.


Looks like something like this could work.https://www.vintagecarradio.com/accessories/repro-radios/accessories/repro-radios/repro-radio-vibrator-for-most-models/

The solid state replacement vibrator in the link is what many use today. Only downside is they are (or were) polarity specific. If the battery in pos ground cars is accidentally reversed and 55s in particular seem to get a fair amount of accidental reversals then if the vibrators being made today still have the same construction as the older ones they are toast.

For my 55 400 Wonderbar radio, it was electrically refurbished before I got it. Because the car was originally positive ground, I was hooking up the radio that way to test. Found the radio was made for negative ground only. Fortunately I use a power supply that I can set to 7.5A limit, hooking it up positive ground pulled the voltage down to around 4-5V; quite low. Not sure what is shorting out in the vibrator, or if it even is the vibrator.

A common way to protect against shorts is to have a Zener and a thermal fuse. The Zener protects against reverse polarity and overvoltage, and the fuse cuts off thr circuit when there is too much current through the diode, making a self-protecting, self-resetting protection system.

I got the vibrator going in the Clipper radio and made a video too. Radio still needs work, more updates to come...

Is this an original Packard manual antenna?

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No. That's a commonly sold aftermarket unit - been around for decades. A 65 Chevy C10 that my Dad bought used had one like that.

The mirror is not stock either but appears to have been on it a long, long time! As I recall, from the outside the manual antenna looked much like the powered one except, of course, there was no motor mechanism below.

Thanks BH and Don. I have a spare power antenna mast etc. except for just that rubber boot. So I think I will use that instead of this goofy arrangement, which is very loose on the car. Probably I could repair the power operation too and upgrade the car to a power antenna setup, but I doubt there's much point to that.

Also does anyone know how these are supposed to stay in place? Both of mine are warped as you see.

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I can't speak for 1955 but I added a radio with power antenna to my 1952 Henney-Packard and it was quite easy, especially as it was an NOS unit with the templates for the holes.

Yes I have no doubt it won't be too difficult as long as I have all/most of the parts, but I'd almost rather not add any options to it as it only has 4 options as it sits.

As a side note, the mirrors are nearly useless as not only are they very small and hard to adjust, but they are not even convex.