Re: ice age

Posted by HH56 On 2012/8/10 9:06:07

I believe that particular AC article came from a 1933 edition of Popular Science magazine. As was briefly touched upon, a company was dabbling with the concept and built that prototype hoping to perfect it. It was not sponsored by any of the auto mfgs. Not sure if it was the same company that did the first commercial building AC or not but was in that timeframe. Another magazine also mentioned the effort and went on to say it was shopped around a bit but in the depression, no one was really interested because of the cost, complexity and space required.

Looking at the mechanicals under the floor, it would have to have been a pretty large car. Not sure how many could have spared that much room. The method of driving the compressor was never mentioned but looking at the photo, had to have either been a separate motor or somehow off the axle.

Cadillac started experimenting with their AC version mid 30s. It apparently was a self contained unit hanging off the back end exterior to the trunk. Believe there is a photo circa 1938 or so posted in a thread here or maybe AACA.

Packard was doing their version concurrently in the same time frame as Cadillac but Packard persevered and was successful with a relatively small unit. For some reason Cadillac decided not to move forward with the prewar unit. Postwar, Cadillac did the work and Packard apparently lost interest.