Another new book: FACTORY AIR

Posted by HH56 On 2022/7/8 11:28:22

With Ross's recent mention about the book on 55-57 Packards being released, I want to take the opportunity to mention there is another book we have been waiting for that has also been published. That book was out a few months ago but seems to have managed to slip by without official notice. I happened to catch it when Dwight mentioned it in passing in his book.

FACTORY AIR: Cool Cars in Cooler Comfort by Allen B. Simons. ISBN: 9781737646716 is Volume 1 of a planned 4 volume set and is archiveman2977’s book on factory air conditioning. Volume 1 is 250 pages plus an index and is published using Amazon’s print on demand service so it is available in Kindle, hard cover and soft cover versions on the Amazon website.

Volume 1 starts with some photos, history and commentary using early 30s cars where some crude applications of regular commercial units were modified and crammed into or onto cars. Photos of a Nash and Cadillac with big boxes holding components have been circulating for awhile but I had not realized or seen photos showing a 27 Packard with components being placed under the floor was among some of the early attempts. Development continued thru the 30s until the first production model release we are familiar with appeared. The book covers that system with commentary on Packard own attempts and then finally working in conjunction with refrigeration specialists to design and build the production version. Another interesting fact is Packard shipped cars to that vendor who actually installed the system. It continues with photos, factory brochures, published service information and finally running changes mentioning differences in the 41-42 models.

After the early and Packard section was covered which takes about half the book, he goes on to detail Cadillac and Chrysler's early attempts and their decision to also use versions of essentially the same vendor built Packard system but also notes thru photos and other published information some differences in implementation between brands.

In summary, I think the book is a very nice addition to the few other articles and books on early AC attempts. There is not nearly as much factory info compiled in one place in other books and certainly not as many Packard photos. The current plan is Volume 2 will cover the postwar 53 models when factory AC first became available again. Volume 3 is to cover 54-56 models and Volume 4 is for 57-60 models. There is no planned schedule mentioned as to when the other volumes might be available.