Guest writer: Nina Sumner
Keeping cool in your classic – retrofitting AC
Summer is here at last. For most classic car lovers, that means shouted conversations due to having the windows down and third degree burns if you are daft enough to slide onto a vinyl seat wearing shorts. Nostalgia is one thing, but even die-hards have to admit that there are some pluses to modern cars, and air conditioning is one of them.
Now there are all sorts of subtle upgrades around to make classics more usable in the 2020s from electronic ignition to upgraded lighting. But retrofitting AC is something that most people would dismiss as too big and complex a job. Yet it doesn’t have to be.
Taking cues from our American cousins
One reason classic car AC upgrades are so uncommon is that we have only recently grown accustomed to it in modern cars. In the early 2000s, I got a new job with a company car, an Audi A3, and it had no AC. It’s only over the last 15 years or so that it has become commonplace in all but the most basic vehicles.
Take a look across the pond, however, and it is another matter. The hotter climate in most states meant there was a greater appetite for AC and it has been a common feature since the 1950s. Consequently, US classic car owners are far more likely to consider retrofitting AC, and if you search YouTube on the topic, you’ll find plenty of home mechanics who have taken the plunge – although they are mostly Chevys and Buicks, not Hillmans and Austins!
Still, they prove what can be done. Jim Richardson presents Classic Car Garage and has been uploading videos since 2007. He provides a useful step-by-step guide to retrofitting AC on a 1958 Chevrolet Apache pick up. The truck is as American as they come, but the “little six-cylinder engine,” as he calls it, is conceptually similar to popular British powerplants such as the Jaguar XK engine or the Triumph I6. With companies like Car Builder Solutions in Staplehurst offering bolt-on aftermarket AC units for around £350, it has to be worth considering if you regularly use your classic in the summer months.
Installation and maintenance
Jim says it all in his video, so I won’t go into detailed descriptions of the installation process. It is, however, worth mentioning a few key considerations:
- Although the AC unit comprises a condenser, it still relies heavily on the engine’s cooling system. You might need to upgrade the radiator, thermostat and cooling fan to cope with it.
- Finding space to mount the unit is likely to be the biggest challenge. For popular classics like the Jaguar E-type or Porsche 911, there is plenty of advice out there. If you are retrofitting AC on something more unusual like a Vauxhall Wyvern or a Singer Gazelle, you might have to be a bit more imaginative!
- Don’t forget the drain! The clue is in the word condenser – it will create plenty of condensation, and you will need to attach a tube to the outlet and feed it back out through the bulkhead. If not, your carpets will soon be saturated.
As far as maintenance is concerned, regular regassing is essential to keep AC effective. Beyond that, it’s just a case of periodically checking for leaks and replacing filters. One thing that car AC systems can have with domestic air conditioning units is that after a while, you can get that distinctive unpleasant odour when you switch on. This is usually caused by a build up of mildew on the filter, so is easily resolved.
Travel in comfort and style
It’s one thing being a stickler for originality if you have a super-rare classic. But the majority of old car owners want to use them and enjoy them. If you’ve ever stepped out on a summer’s day and been deterred from getting behind the wheel of your classic because it’s “just too hot in there” then retrofitting air conditioning is a project that has to be worth considering. Approach it methodically and it’s neither as expensive nor as convoluted an undertaking as you might think.
Nina Sumner is our guest writer.
Nina blends her teaching expertise and journalistic savvy to craft stories that resonate deeply and educate effectively. With a career that spans the dynamics of classrooms and the buzz of newsrooms, she brings authenticity and a rich understanding to her writing. Guiding young writers and engaging readers, Nina’s approach is hands-on and heart-led. Her work embodies the convergence of knowledge and narrative, proving that with the right mix of curiosity and compassion, words can truly make a world of difference.
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