modern AC for 59 Cadillacs

[kkarrer]

Hello! Does anyone have any info on adding modern AC to a 59? My heater is fine, but I'm thinking that Vintage Air, Classic Air, etc should have something that works.
Thanks,
Ken Karrer
CenTex CLC Reg. Dir.
kenneth.karreremail addresses not permitted
512-626-7268

[35-709]

Vintage Air and Classic Auto Air both have "sure-fit" AC/heat kits for many classic cars and trucks, probably not older Cadillacs though.  I have installed the Classic Auto Air "sure-fit" in a '72 Chevy pickup.  I have a Classic Auto Air universal AC/heat kit in my '35 Cadillac and a Vintage Air universal kit in my '50 Jaguar Mark 5.  Happy with both, best to talk with them direct for the best options for your car.

[76eldo]

Is your car equipped with factory AC that is inoperable?

If it's not equipped with AC, I would try to find the lower dash for duct tube from an AC parts car.  That way from inside of the car it would look like a factory AC car.  The control pods might be able to be adapted so that you could use the sliders and cables from a factory AC car to control the Vintage Air unit.

The condenser could be mounted in front of the radiator, and a compressor mount adapted.

It would be a lot of work but so is trying to keep a factory setup working.

Brian

[kkarrer]

Thanks for the replies thus far...no, this car did not come from the factory with AC.  The heater is fine, so I'd only need the AC unit.  I've installed these in trucks and in a car or two, but not in a 59 Cadillac.  I'm actually most concerned about brackets for the compressor and getting the AC pulley set up.
Ken Karrer
CenTex CLC Reg. Dir.

[35-709]

I am sure both outfits have done Cadillacs of your era before, brackets may be available.  If you are keeping the original heater, you may want to go with a center mounted, below dash unit over the tranny hump.  Don't know that there would be room for an underdash unit with the old heater in place.

[V63]

I installed vintage air in a 57 brougham, appearing totally factory inside car. Significant modifications.  Utilizing all original controls. We made our own brackets.

It's being used in high heat desert and does a much better job than factory. However, the unit is really undersized for a big Cadillac cabin. I.e.:  Low BTU. It's was probably designed for a 32 ford coupe in mind.

I redid all the duct work using black ABS sewer pipe. No under dash leaks. So we lost the factory glove box beer cooler😂.

I would recommend using the complete HVAC system vintage air offers (heat and AC)

Overall I'm very pleased, and response has been amazement!

[Dan LeBlanc]

If the biggest worry is brackets, buy a set of 1962 brackets, use an A6 compressor as the heart of the system and don't forget the 3 groove crank and water pump pulleys, 7 blade clutch fan and shroud, and water pump from an a.c. car. That's the hard part. The rest is easy.

[Scot Minesinger]

I agree with Brian, make the inside of the car look factory, those add on units do not look right on a Cadillac.  Plus when you add it on YOUR car (I get that), it does reduce options in terms of lowering value of the car.  Also, if you add ac no matter the method, a return fuel line (to avoid vapor lock), and a fan shroud will be required.

[kkarrer]

Gentlemen,
Thank you very much.  We'll see what the new owner may want to do here.
Ken

[Dan LeBlanc]

I agree with Brian, make the inside of the car look factory, those add on units do not look right on a Cadillac.  Plus when you add it on YOUR car (I get that), it does reduce options in terms of lowering value of the car.  Also, if you add ac no matter the method, a return fuel line (to avoid vapor lock), and a fan shroud will be required.

I wouldn't worry too much about it lowering the value of the car.  If value of the car in original form is of concern, just install it in a way that it can easily be reverted back to stock.  When I did my 62 Coupe (value wasn't a concern), I drilled holes in the a/c block off plates present on a non-ac car to pass the refrigerant lines into cabin.  No holes were drilled in the firewall.  The whole works could be removed in under an hour if it wasn't wanted by the next owner.