Air conditioning in an open hood high boy

Am I crazy to consider air condition in my 1931 5 window oldsmobile. Open fender, no hood. When people see the large compressor in the engine compartment along with the hoses etc, am I going to look stupid? I am doing everything else "traditional" and I am worrying that this will look out of place. Any pictures of ac in open rods?

Please help.

 

I'll give you the benefit of honesty. Yes it'll look stupid. I live in Austin and would never even consider it.

P.S. It gets really hot here.

 

Mount it down real low, by the frame rail, and tuck the hoses along the framerail, too. Paint the condenser black so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb, and if you MUST run an electric fan, hide it behind the grill shell. It's 105 today with the heat index, I WOULD feel stupid if I DIDN'T have A/C. Any car I own with a roof will have it.

 

you could always run it off the tailshaft of the transmission...

or Just drive faster.

 

I would do it. Use a big old A6 compressor if you want to at least appear "decent".

Is it the car in your avatar? If so, I think I'd spend money on better front wheels first!

 

Tuck a little Sanden down low, they're nice and smooth, not much parasitic loss. It seems like a Mark IV underdash would be cool(pun intended)!

 

I think you would look better cool and comfortable.

 

How hot does it get in Buffalo, NY? Unless it could all be hidden in or under the car, I'd avoid it in a traditional car. How much cooling is it really going to give you in an open roadster?

 

It's funny how the young guy all say NO!!!
But the older guys like to have it and will do it.
Now i am one of the old guys. To HOT here and To Cold here in winter.
We do not put are cars away in winter. And yes it gets cold here in So Cal. where i am in Jan it was 28 and in summer it gets 118.
So am puting one in. My 2 cents

 

More than you would believe if the ducts are routed correctly.

 

Would that be "directly up the pant leg"?

 

I would ask myself . . . what is more inportant.
Being comfortable or going along with other peoples idea of fitting in.
I say ****em. If you feel you need it, hide it best you can and enjoy your car.
Craig

 

If the end result is you'd use the car more- DO IT. But spend the time to low mount.

 

I thought we were talking about a 5 window?

 

You're right. Those Hooked On Phonics people owe me some money back....

 

Took the words right out of my mouth.
Do your own thing.

I really would "roll over" and get some bigger front wheels

 

Maybe spring for an engine too before the A/C.

 

I'm young, and I say go for it. If you want A/C ... put it on. Will it look out of place on a car that looks period correct? Yup. Would I do it? Nope. Will it make the car more enjoyable for you to drive? Only you can answer that one.
I'd suggest either hiding it really well, or figuring out how to make the parts from a 50's / 60's car work. (i.e. if you're running an Olds mill, run a factory 50's Olds compressor, ducts, switch panel, etc...) How cool would it be if you had "period correct" A/C? Then when youngsters make comments, you'll be able to point out that the A/C on your car is older than they are...
Kamp

 

there is nothing like A/C, it may look stupid but on a hot day who is the one looking stupid.......... not you.

 

I live in Yuma AZ, it can reach 120 degrees or higher in the summer... and even here I still would vote no.

 

If you're running WWW bias tires and all the rest of that cool look, no.

Otherwise, ya gotta be cool before you can look cool.

 

Don't do it.
I don't even have AC in my house, driving in my roadster was quite a ***** at first, when the sun hits you hard, but you get used to it.
People back in the 50's didn't have AC and they survived, people have turned into "climate controlled pussies".
Done with my little rant.

 

I can't find a picture right now, but I have seen a '58 Buick Limited that had an awesome little finned v-twin a/c compressor on it. If you could find one like that and detail it nicely I think it could look pretty good (if you can get past the fact that it would never have been fitted to an actual 50's Hotrod).

 

...or mess with people's heads and make it look like a centrifugal blower!

 

your car your choice,

 

Run a hood, have a/c

 

I say do it. Hope my next car has air.......

 

here ya go:

 

115 heat index here today. On a roadster I would say no. on a closed car it would be nice but not mandatory.. If you are not going a true traditional (all authentic parts) then this is just another part being added. I normally hate the look of AC on a open hood car (Have seen tops only hide some of it) but it is hard to hide the 4 hoses required...