Technical Vintage Air or Similar Options for 57 Chevy Sedan

Hello, looking for options to add air conditioning to my 1957 Chevy project. I have a vintage Mark IV under dash unit that's my first option, but that unit is pretty deep and sticks out quite a ways over the center hump, ending up with discharge louvers really close to the front seat. I'm not sure how well it's going to work or if it will just cool my legs.

Any thoughts on the current Vintage Air Gen5 evaporator setup for a 57? Are there previous generations of Vintage Air setups for a 57 that might be available if I do a little searching? What are others using in their 57's for AC units?

Lot of questions, I know...thanks for any help you can provide.

 

Check in and join the TriFive website. There is a multitude of discussions regarding Vintage Air installation and suggestions regarding trouble shooting. It covers the '55, '56 and '57 Chevies.

 

Thanks I will take a look at that group. I've been on ChevyTalk with questions but that doesn't seem to get much traffic.

 

The aftermarket systems these days allow for the connection to factory A/C dash vents. Not exactly cheap but they fit the car and direct the air at the passenger's faces. That's important.

 

What are these vents from, they are cool!!! are they stock air vents in 57?

Also look into electric AC options, can be setup in the rear areea between the rear seat and the trunk, but you have to have vents/tubing all the way to the front if you want them to shoot at you front the dash. there are some I seed hanging in empty front fender wheel areas also. at the end of the day is about 1000 dollars and a bunch of work if its DYI. but your ass is cold on a hot day.

 

I’ve had Old Air, Classic Air, and Vintage Air. I’ve help friends with a variety of under dash air only add ons. I’ve rarely used the supplied outlets, almost always found better looking vents. Factory vents if possible. Build a little waterfall or panel for gauges and vents under the center dash.

When all is said and done, and not knocking the other guys, the Vintage Air units went in as clean and easy and worked as well as anything. It’s my first choice. On a well supported vehicle like a Tri 5, I’d think twice or three times before doing anything else.

 

i just put a vintage air system in a 55 nomad....my personal experience was alot of fitment issues and when i called them for support it was "hmm never had that problem" it works great but not a "SUREFIT" for me

 

This is what the inside parts look like on a factory A/C car.

 

That old Mark unit you have, if set up right, will freeze the balls off a brass monkey. Here in South Texas we wouldn't give a rat's how it looked if it would do that! I had one in a coupe and never took it off low. However, for your purpose the Vintage Air thing is great, well thought out for your application.