Rear parcel shelf switch-'55 Fleetwood

[CadillacFlashback]

I just noticed this switch today on my newly-acquired '55 Fleetwood.  It is on the rear parcel shelf just inboard of the driver's side A/C tube.  What is its function?  Is this a "master" A/C switch?

[J. Gomez]

Scott,

The function of that switch is to operate the cables opening or closing the levers inside the rear air ducts. The “off” position will closed the levers, on the “air” allows A/C air to circulate inside the cabin, and the “on” position allows fresh air to enter via the two outside scoops. Or vice versa on the last two steps, I can’t recall for sure on the settings.

HTH

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

I had air on my '56 Fleetwood with the ducting, and never noticed this switch. And my son never asked me... (He and my daughter occupied the back seat, and generally he was curious about such stuff.) We had this car long enough ago that it was our daily driver. Thanks for a new bit of knowledge. BW.

[Jon S]

So, if you were following a noxious truck, instead of being able to switch the selector to "recirculate," you had to pull off the road and jump in the back to turn the switch unless you had a rear seat passenger?

[J. Gomez]

I had air on my '56 Fleetwood with the ducting, and never noticed this switch. And my son never asked me... (He and my daughter occupied the back seat, and generally he was curious about such stuff.) We had this car long enough ago that it was our daily driver. Thanks for a new bit of knowledge. BW.

Barry,

You’re welcome…!

PS Don’t feel bad it only took me 3 month to figured out the red light on mine at the dash, until my wife noted there is a red light "on" once I had to trunk open. 

[J. Gomez]

So, if you were following a noxious truck, instead of being able to switch the selector to "recirculate," you had to pull off the road and jump in the back to turn the switch unless you had a rear seat passenger?

Jon,

It is more of a rear passenger convenience to turn the switch to outside air if no A/C was on, but yes if it is left open the driver would need to take the extra steps to shut it off.   

[David Greenburg]

Love those Fleetwoods!  Its all about the rear seat passengers.  I guess the evolution of this was the rear vent windows in the 60's.

[55 cadi]

David,  the 55 and others already have a rear vent widow with the regular rear window ( on 4 door cadi), with the ac/air switch on the back shelf, the switch was for was was already stated.

I believe the rear vent window was more for the "cigar" smokers in the rear, they can open the rear vent window to allow smoke out.

I say cigar because most all listings of the lighter in the rear state "cigar lighter"

Jason

[walt chomosh #23510]

Scott,
  My 1955 CDV has this A/C switch also. The owners manual says to open during the summer and close during the winter. I say that generally speaking(and this includes 2015 A/C cars!) that for max A/C,the valves should be closed for recirculation and max cooling. My road tests haven't proven a thing though. As far as fumes in the cabin,well,as long as the A/C fans are off(on the A/C control panel) there shouldn't be a problem.(no air circulating other then ram air into the A/C plentum) Practically ALL cars,any year,any model,have "normal" A/C and "max" A/C.....walt...tulsa,ok

[David Greenburg]

I was thinking of the rear power vent windows, which I've always thought were the ultimate decadence of this era. I agree they were there for the benefit of smokers.  If you were riding in the back of a Fleetwood you were more likely than the passengers in the rear of a Series 62 to be old enough to smoke!