6-16-20

Hi Howard,

New Packard AC information, along with formatting changes, have extended the time needed before publication.

As it stands, this Volume 1, covering the 1940-1942 AC-equipped cars,spans 300+pages and offers 400 B&W/color images.

Thanks for asking.

Allen
archiveman2977

6-14-20

Hi Guscha,

Thanks for the obscure article about the 1953 Packard AC.

According to the Packard corporate minutes, President Vance reluctantly pursued factory AC as an accessory, to match GM's Frigidaire Division units in Cadillac, Buick, and Oldsmobile. Chrysler supplied Chrysler, DeSoto, and Dodge with their Airtemp Division unit. Ford had no affiliation with refrigeration, so it contracted with NOVI.

Packard contracted with Frigidaire for 500 units late in the 1953 model year. Due to slow sales, it separated the order and equipped 250 1953 units with the Frigidaire unit, and delayed the other 250 units for the 1954 model year.

This article will be a welcome addition for the 1953 Packard AC chapter.

Allen
archiveman2977

5-2-20
Hi Howard,

The initial production of the 1940 Packard Weather Conditioner provided a heater core in the AC evaporator cabinet in the forward trunk.

Mr. James Hollingsworth, author of Packard 1940 a pivotal year, commented that some of the Senior Packard owners complained that the rear heater temperature proved tepid in severe winter circumstances in longer wheelbase 138-inch and 148-inch models.

Reportedly, the extra length hot water hose leading from the radiator cooled more so than in shorter One Ten models with a 122-inch wheelbase and One Twenty models with a 127-inch wheelbase.

The redesign in Packard air conditioners eliminated the heater core after April 22, 1940. Mr. Hollingsworth stated, "It is the author's guess that the time hot water circulated to the trunk compartment of a 138-inch or 148-inch wheelbase car in severe cold winter conditions, it would not effectively warm the car."

As an owner of one of 233 built, One Eighty Club Sedan, Model 1806, Body 1356 in Miami Sand color, he continued, "I own a One Eighty Club Sedan (127-inch wheelbase) with the early air-conditioning-heater combination, and the heater portion does adequately warm the car in mild Texas winter weather."

The Packard Weather Conditioner emblem on the evaporator instructed moving the right hand or the left hand damper for Summer Cooling or Winter Heating.

Packard offered an optional floor-grilled Rear Compartment Hot Water Heater.

The images of his car and commentary are featured in my upcoming book, an illustrated history of automotive air-conditioning.

Allen
archiveman2977

5-1-20
Hi Guscha,

Bingo! the Santa Ana Register of 10-9-40 provided a delightful description of the Packard Cellarette for 1941.

Excerpts will be added to the 1941 Packard AC chapter.

Also, thanks for the 11-2-39 article from The Zanesville Signal.

Muchas Gracias for your continued research about Packard's early AC.

Allen
archiveman2977

4-23-20
Hi Guscha,

Nice to hear from you again.

Thanks for your research. Yes, I have this information already.

As I told Wes, keep your eyes peeled for more AC info.

Allen
archiveman2977

4-23-40

Thanks, Wesley. I viewed the 1940 Packard Super Eight 160 Woody Wagon with air-conditioning recently on YouTube.

Allen
archiveman2977

11-15-19

Hi Wesley,

Thanks for the Cellarette, AC evaporator, and the San Francisco Examiner pics!

Do you know anything about this Packard? The Cellarette looks hand-crafted, due to the light colored wood and the absence of the "Conditioner" and "Cellarette" switch between the upper cabinet doors. (See attached)

Is this owner approachable?

This could possibly be an addendum to the 1941 Packard AC chapter.

Thanks again,

Allen
Archiveman2977

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9-8-19

Hi Guscha,

Thanks again for the heads-up. Yes I have seen and used Dr. Bhatti's ASHRAE article, with their approval.

Sorry I cannot offer information about the Russian Packard want-a-be cars.

See ya,
archiveman2977

9-1-19

Hi Guscha,

Thanks for the scans of The Detroit Free Press, Sunday, April 7, 1940 and the Indianapolis Sunday Star, March 24, 1940.

The Indianapolis article included an image of the V.P. of Packard Indianapolis, Inc. pointing to the 1940 Packard A/C compressor. Too bad its a poor image. I will contact the Indianapolis library for a possible better image.

archiveman2977

9-1-19

Hi Guscha,

Thanks for your inquiry of other volumes that provide an illustrated history of automotive air-conditioning.

Volume 1 is in the editor stage. It probably won't be published until next spring, 2020.

Volume 2 covers the reintroduction of factory air in cars. Covered are the 1953 Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Lincoln, Packard, and Chrysler cars-Chrysler, Imperial, DeSoto, and Dodge. Those chapters have already been written. Publication should be in 2020.

Volume 3 covers the 1954-1957 A/C cars.

Volume 4 covers the 1958-1960 A/C cars.

No, no cars out of the USA are covered.

archiveman2977