Re: Air Conditioned '55-'56 Packards

Posted by 55PackardGuy On 2010/1/17 12:11:58

Thanks for the descriptions. I wasn't aware of a change between '54 and '55. I think there are still some under the assumption that the 55-56 units required the same belt removal... at least that's the way I've read some comments in the past.

It sounds like the stock V compressor is probably not a long-term solution. If a car is already fitted with the dash unit, perhaps a retrofit of the compressor would keep it going, or replace with aftermarket.

AC wasn't that common in the '50s or '60s for that matter, but with every puddle-jumper commuter car now having it standard, it's kind of hard to present a car as a luxury automobile without this feature. Some people don't even know that cars didn't always have AC.

It's also pretty hard to look patrician in your Patrician if you're sweating bullets, and naturally these cars get most of their miles in the nice, warm weather.

So even if it isn't perfectly original, it would seem AC would be right up there with the most desirable mods. Thanks for the info and the resources.