Air conditioning or not

[Salvatore]

Would the musclecar world consider air conditioning to be a NEGATIVE factor when buying a muscle car of the late 60's early 70's? Example: BB novas,camaros,chevelles, or GTO's Thanks, Sam http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Mr70]

If you're taking an Opinion pole,then I'm for NO A/C.
It just takes up to much room,& is more an inconvenience then a convenience to me.
I consider it a Negative.

[Salvatore]

I am taking a pole. I need your input and opinions. Does it hurt the value of a true muscle car in your opinion???? Thanks, Sam

[budnate]

answer is no...cool option just adds value to the car if its working...

[camarojoe]

I'd much rather have a car without it personally...and i say this after having 2 cars with it, a 69 RS/SS and a 69 SS396 Elco. i purchased both cars wishing it didn't have it, but it really wasn't a major factor in buying vs. not buying the cars. IMO, the system itself is about ugly as a mud fence under the hood, even when detailed correctly, and usually either A. doesnt work, B. works "sorta" or C. is about a month away from not working. HOWEVER, i should also take into consideration I live in PA, where I'd actually USE the AC about 2 times a year... If i lived in CA or FL or somewhere that actually sees sunshine, I might have a different opinion on it.

[mr396]

If your talking race car then I vote no a/c. but, for a street car,for me a/c is a must.I also prefer convertibles there is nothing like having it all. It's also fairly rare in a factory high performance car.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Don't know, AC is not an option on BB Novas http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
My opinion on non Nova musclecars with AC = no, don't like it.

[camarojoe]

[ QUOTE ]
If your talking race car then I vote no a/c. but, for a street car,for me a/c is a must.

[/ QUOTE ]

See... a guy living in sunny Southern Cali has a totally different opinion...as I would likely have too if I wasn't able to drive around in August in my non-ac cars, sitting on black vinyl seats with non-tinted glass and the windows rolled up without breaking a sweat. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Non-AC is to CA what heater delete is to PA... You figurin' on moving West Sam? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[All American Racer]

Marlin, A/C wasn't offered on BB Novas? Are you kidding or is that for real? I have considered Vintage air for my car. Being a non matching car it can't hurt the value and my 40 year old fat body sure would appreciate it. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Not kiddin!
No AC on BB Novas.

[njsteve]

I would take the A/C, especially on a 4-speed car. Stick cars with a/c are extremely rare because most of the manufacturers prohibited it from being selected on the higher performing engines. No a/c was available on any 426 Hemi or any 440-6bbl car, but you could get a/c on a 440 Magnum 4bbl, even with a 4-speed (very rare). When I was hunting for my 72 455-HO T/A, I especially wanted a 4 speed with a/c as it is the rarer of the option combinations. There is nothing like cruising into a car show in 100 degree August heat with the windows rolled up and 40 degree air blowing through my long blonde hair.....sorry I thought I was in a York Peppermint Patty commercial there for a second.http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I think a/c would add to the value of the car. But remember there are a lot of obscure little (read: expensive) parts that have to function perfectly for the system to run right. Just run an ebay search on the term "POA Valve" and you'll see what crazy prices people pay for an NOS valve for the GTO/Corvette/Camaro crowd.

[Supercar_Kid]

Here's my A/C setup. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif
http://www.autostyles.com/bpchev724.gif

[Salvatore]

Thanks guys! Hey Marlin, This is why I asked. A guy has a 1970 396/350HP nova with air I am going to look at. I am not crazy about air either, but I could get used to it. Is the air aftermarket on this car? I thought a hydraulic lifter BB could get air in a nova, camaro, or chevelle, in those years. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[hvychev]

[ QUOTE ]
Here's my A/C setup.



[/ QUOTE ]

OK Dickey #2! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sam I would pass on a Muscle Car with air. My principe on muscle cars incldes air. NO radial tires, NO modern stereos, NO modern battery (unless it has a topper), & NO a/c! You want comfort and convience than a Muscle Car is not for you. Buy a Lexus! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

Plus they make under the hood look like a mess.

[Supercar_Kid]

[ QUOTE ]
OK Dickey #2!

[/ QUOTE ]
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[Salvatore]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Here's my A/C setup.



[/ QUOTE ]

OK Dickey #2! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sam I would pass on a Muscle Car with air. My principe on muscle cars incldes air. NO radial tires, NO modern stereos, NO modern battery (unless it has a topper), & NO a/c! You want comfort and convience than a Muscle Car is not for you. Buy a Lexus! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

Plus they make under the hood look like a mess.

[/ QUOTE ]Ok Frank, I got it! Thanks for laying it out to me! You da man! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[KENNY_PASCOE]

A 4 SPEED WITH A/C CAR IS A NICE COMBO BUT NOT A NECESSITY FOR ME. IF I DO BUY AN MUSCLE CAR WITH AN AUTOMATIC, WHICH IS SELDOM, A/C IS A MUST HAVE. JMO... KP

[Salvatore]

Ok Kenny, Now we are getting closer. I don't like air, but with an auto it may not be all that bad. I just want to know if it is worth less with air, than not with air. Same car, same motor....with or without which is more desirable today? I personally feel it is not a REAL muscle car with air, but any more that statement may be wrong. Sam

[KENNY_PASCOE]

MY OPINION IS THAT A/C ADDS VALUE TO THE CAR. IT IS A DESIRABLE OPTION, BUT ITS NOT FOR EVERYONE. AS FAR AS HOW MUCH IT ADDS DEPENDS ON THE CAR AND WEATHER ITS A 4 SPD A/C OR AUTO A/C CAR. IT ALSO DEPENDS ON IF THE A/C WORKS OR NOT, THAT CAN CHANGE THE EQUATION AS WELL. JMO... KP

[Salvatore]

Thanks Ken.

[ktownkid]

I have a 70 Nova SS....L48 with a four speed and a/c... don't like a/c that much but I understand that it's a little rare with this combo. So, it stays on the car........

It does ruin the looks under the hood.......

ktownkid

[tom406]

I think its a regional thing as well. I personally don't like it, for the clutter and complexity reasons stated. I really dislike cars with disconnected A/C systems but half of the crap still hanging around. If its there, it needs to be ALL there and working. If its not going to be used, I don't want to see any evidence that it was ever there. I don't pay more for working A/C, but I don't deduct for it either. Partial systems, however, I would deduct for either the cost of fixing it or properly eliminating it.

That said, I've talked to many customers in South Carolina/Florida/Texas who won't consider a car without A/C. Lack of A/C or availability of a good aftermarket setup is a deal breaker for them, and they add value for working A/C, or even a mostly complete A/C setup.

As for "real" musclecars having to be bare bones, I would say the Stage 1 Buicks in particular shoot holes in that "rule". I all for anything that scares you when you nail the throttle. I'm getting tired of cars that scare me when I hit the manual drum brakes. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[mr396]

When I was young, I didn't care about having a/c. All I cared about was having the fastest car. the only problem with that is, no matter how fast a factory car you buy there is always a faster car, it could be the same make and model car it is just faster. One was was just built better then the other. So to have the ultimate car,you need to make it lighter. new cam, some head work, headers and so on. you just end up with a non streetable car. a race car. I want to leave my car stock. Now in my older age I know that you can't have the fastest musclecar, but you could have the ultimate musclecar.That is a factory built high performance car with all the comfort and conveniences of the day. something that is fast. good looking, comfortible at 110 degrees in the summer. what would be better then a 1967 400 hp tri-power 427 corvette convertible with a/c. or a 1970 440 cuda or challenger convertible with a/c. 1968 1/2 mustang 428 cj convertible with a/c. in my opinion if you want the ultimate car you have to have a/c. oh and a convertible, and am,fm, and stereo tape player and p/steering and p/disc brakes and posi and tach and gauges,tilt.and juice lifters.

[55chevy]

I didn't care for A/C till I moved to Oklahoma... Now it's a must have during the summer months here http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Sam, to my knowledge, no a/c on any BB Novas. Most times the car was a SB, and the BB is a transplant. I would imagine that some BB Novas received dealer installed a/c, maybe in the 'hot' states.

[Mr70]

I too have never seen a 1968-70 BB Nova with factory A/C.
If someone here has one,I'd love to learn more about it?
I have a box of Vintage aftermarket suppliers Catalogs to Chevrolet Dealers back in the late 60's early 70's. Air Conditioning Vendors are in there,& their Flyers/Catalogs Feature the Nova with their ADDED A/C units.
Very colorful and explains prices & shows cool pix,(no Pun).

[mr396]

I have read that the 1967 camaro SS396 couldn't be ordered with a/c. Is this true?

[budnate]

yes it did come on the Camaro in 1967..not sure about it coming on the 375hp option though....

Bud.

[QQGSX]

I think there is a certain stigma attached to A/C cars. Since solid lifter Chevies or 440 six pack/Hemi cars couldn't be optioned with air there has been a perception that A/C and high performance are mutually exclusive. I have a 1970 Stage I GSX with air that runs extremely well. However, we live in Southern CA. where air is a nice convenience.

On the other hand, if you are looking for an all out street /strip car then such a car may not be taken as seriously.

I think it depends on the car. As Richard Dove said in his book "Guide to Buick Gran Sports": "If you're REAL SERIOUS, turn the air conditioning off."

[Mark_C]

No A/C on 67 big block Camaros. The BB was a mid year intro, and GM did not have the BB A/C system worked out until the 68 model year.

[budnate]

Mark I have seen 325 HP cars with air.....my 11B November 1966 built 396 Caprice has factory A/C on the car...I think they had a handle on how to hang it on the motor....Like I said no high horse motors but grandma could have air....

http://www.camaros.org/index.shtml click on 1967 and it calls out the block codes for A/C, but no 375HP motors.

show me some docs if I am confused????

Thnx Bud.

[mr396]

I think the a.i.r. codes are for the california air pump. It seems to me I have seen a 67 L35 camaro with a/c. interesting http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[budnate]

Doh more coffee..wrong link..I have it saved somewhere???

[mr396]

But the link does say no 1967 a/c cars with L35's.