Not exactly traditional equipment, but need to keep the wife comfortable on long cruises. I've never bought an aftermarket set up, so I'm hoping there's enough others on the hamb who have that I may benefit from your experiance and wisdom. I'll need one for a mid fifties (non chevy) GM and one for a friend for an early 60's Ford. Figure we will do them together. Thanks for any help you offer! Sir Woosh
I put a Vintage air system in my 37 -- 17 years ago (60,000 miles) and it's still going strong. It was a r12 system so about 6 years ago we vacumned the r12 out - shot some r134 lubicant into the thing and charged it up with R134. The only problem is that after all this time I now have a slow leak that we can't locate but after 17 years .. it's easy to recharge so.. Also I just talked to a guy who took a rear air out of a van and put it behind the back seat with custom ducts under the seats... compact unit and no underdash work.. good luck.
I've installed several. Vintage Air is my choice. They offer direct fit for some models. Or you can design your own system. Check out there catalog.
Vintage Air has the best package options, but is also the most expensive. If your open to making your own brackets and such a Southern Air unit will work. I've had luck with both in customer vehicles GM and Non-GM.
Vintage air are classic auto air. I've installed both. Both work great. Classic auto is only 20 minutes from the house.Parts chasing are parts exchange is easy....
I've installed both Vintage Air and Classic Auto Air systems. It looks like they use a lot of the same parts manufactured by a third party. I could be wrong on this, but a lot of the components look the same. With that said... I thought that Classic Auto Air was a better and easier install. Their custom engine brackets were excellent quality and fit great without a lot of modifications. I would recommend buying a quality condenser and dryer regardless of which brand you decide on.
When I had my 53 Olds I found a complete underdash a/c on a 62 Olds in a junkyard and had it on and working in my 53 a couple days later,I have a catalog from a a/c vendor around here somewhere and I dont think it had too many engine brackets and pulleys for non Chevys but it but it had the Ford motors covered. I will try to look it up and see who it is.
Another vote for Vintage Air. They have been around longer than anyone and thier products are first class. Frank
Put Vintage Air in my wife's 28 and in my '66 GMC pick up. Not only were the instructions clear, the units performed very good and the service after sale was really good. They go the extra mile. Guess I'm a fan as well.
Another one for Vintage Air I have a Generation Mini II in my coupe. The wife loves it ... warm in the winter and COOL in the summer. It works GREAT ... and it is almost invisible in the coupe. A lot of folks recommend Vintage Air ... but few realize that Jack Chisenhall is actually a HAMB member. He rarely posts ... but he does look at the HAMB
I have Vintage Air in my '49 Chevy pickup. The air works great but I can't say the same for the heat and defrost.
Put a Hot Rod Air system in wifes 39 last year and all went well and it fit well. Would have gone with Vintage but got a good deal on one someone else had bought and never used. Polished compressor, Mr. Bill's brackets and all. Most difficult part was keeping the cowl vent functional. A little lever reshaping and monkey motion took care of that.
I toured their shop recently, and they make many of their components in-house. It is probably one of the cleanest shops you'll step foot in, especially considering the amount of products they put through their doors. I haven't installed one yet, but will be in a few months, and it will be Vintage Air.
Ive installed several units and Vintage Air is my choice. Good luck. LOS What ever it is, has already been, what will be has been before.
Jerry Sounds like vintage air is the choice, I also have vintage air in my 37 Nash, The thing I like best the also put heat down to the floor, some other only send heat out the front vents.
I used Hot rod air in my 35 chevy,www.hotrodair.com , looks like vintage air only less cost. Floor heat or air, vents heat or air , defrost if you want it , just select the unit with it . Good catlog with all there units and price sheet . Order from vender or direct from hot rod air , your choice . Lots of brackets to choose from Buy a kit or make up your own custom unit . My second choice would be southern air .
vintage air is my choice as well--have installed 5 in 40 fords and 3 in trifive chevys--work very well and the heat defrost function is excellent too
When I decided on Vintage Air for my '37 Terraplane I called them and talked it over. I picked their Super Cooler 2 unit and they sent me a dummy evaporator box and bracket kit to do the fabricating behind the dash. It is easier to hold a 1 pound plastic box in place while making the brackets.When I ordered the real kit they refunded the $50. It was a little higher than some other advertised units but it is first class with great customer service follow up.
I put Vintage Air in my '50 Olds with stock 303 and it works GREAT! I chose the "Underdash" unit to keep the appearance vintage and cruisin' last summer, at 110 degrees, I had to turn the air off as it was too cold!!! Great product Jack!!! Wolfie
Jack Chisenhall - owner of Vintage Air is a life long hot rodder. Quality products, long established business, goor service, extensive dealer network, loaner mock up units available from his dealers to plan your installation - that puts tyhem head and shoulders above the rest. I wouldn't consider anybody else just to save a few pennies - see my signature line....
Thanks for all the great advice and feedback. Went to several suggested sites to get sizing for what I'll need to tuck it up and out of sight for the most part and it looks like I'm in good shape. Now I just have to figure out the best source to buy the units from...... Thanks again Hambers! Sir Woosh
Ditto on the Vintage Air offering a HAMB special price-maybe a discount on all units bought within a certain time frame. I'll be needing a unit in my OT MB sedan with LT1 soon. Sure could use a discount for something in that money pit. Regardless, I wouldn't even consider anyone else's product based on my experience with the company about 25 yrs ago.
do your self a favor, vintage air is the one , as said before, quality, parts, service. order from yogis, you will get it quick, and a discount! 3rd one, no problems, just make sure car is sealed up good, and insulated. met jack this year with tom medley, great guys, and vintage will be around if you should need something.
Sealed up and insulated? Sure is! The car was almost 100% rust free, never repaired and with only 34k original miles. Stripped out inside and sealed all around with the foil faced heat and sound mat. Doors sound like bank vault closing. Nothing tinny about this one.......
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