8-21-19

Hi Guscha,

You are spot-on as usual about the documentation for the 1940 Packard air-conditioning.

My 1940 Packard A/C chapter includes the 1-16-40 and 5-10-40 trade/dealer letters, plus the Packard Dallas showroom image of customers who lined up to experience cooled air in the 1940 Packard 160 demonstrator.

I supplemented the image with an exterior view of the beautifully designed, art-deco style Packard Dallas building which opened in December 1939. Incidentally, it was the first Packard dealer to air-condition its showroom.

Thanks again,
archiveman2977

8-13-19

Does anyone know of the location of the 1941 Packard equipped with the Cellarette refreshment bar?

I have photos of the Cellarette that contained glassware for six, liquor bottles, and mixers. The specialty cabinet also featured a freezer for two ice cube trays. This option was available only with a Packard equipped with the air-conditioning option.

A source last saw the dark blue (?) Packard in California about 1965.

Perhaps it is in a private collection.

I would like to include images of this 1941 Packard in my book which illustrates the history of automotive air-conditioning.

Thanks, archiveman2977

8-13-9

Hi Skateboardgumby,

That's a million dollar question. Apart from several 1941 Packard factory photos of the Cellarette while demonstrated, the New York, Chicago, and San Francisco auto shows, the Chicago Auto Show flyer, and a demonstration photo and article in the San Francisco Examiner, the one known 1941 Packard is elusive. At least one was built and served as a halo model for the 1941 Packard. No auto show photos of the car are available.

The last seen Cellarette-equipped 1941 Packard Custom Super-8 One-Eighty Touring Sedan, model 1907, body 1442, was, according to a California source, a dark blue sedan. That was about 1965.

The effectiveness of the formation of ice cubes formed in the trays also remains unknown.

Does anyone know about the whereabouts of the 1941 Packard equipped with the Cellarette?

Thanks, archiveman2977

8-5-19
Hi Guscha,

Thanks for your info. As a matter of fact West Peterson has provided multiple images of his 1940 Packard Custom Super-8 One-Eighty Touring Sedan equipped with factory A/C. His car is a classic in that it offers a first year, unusual, expensive option. It is featured in the Spotlight section of the 1940 Packard A/C chapter.

Stay tuned. That first chapter of five has been sent to an editor. The other chapters in Volume 1 of an illustrated history of automotive air-conditioning are: 1941, 1942 Packard, 1941 Cadillac, and 1941, 1942 Chrysler/Imperial.

When I say illustrated, it offers legible images of color brochures, data books, supplements, dealer bulletins, road tests,and service manuals. The five chapters now offer 400+ full color and B&W images.

I hope to self publish it before years end.

archiveman2977

8-5-19
Thanks Guscha for the heads-up.

That Hemmings story of the 1941 Packard, really a 1942 model, would be a great addition to my 1941 or 1942 Packard air-conditioning chapter.

Unfortunately, there are no images of the A/C compressor, control knob, rear cool air vent, or the trunk-mounted evaporator cabinet. Those images would be essential to include it into the chapter.

archiveman2977

7-4-19

I am writing an illustrated history of automotive factory air-conditioning.

I seek high-res images of the 1954 Packard brochure titled, That Packard Look, (See attached).

The cover illustrates an elegantly dressed couple entering the 1954 Packard Patrician, the door held open by a doorman.

Importantly, this is the first production 1954 Packard Patrician built, with a production number PACKARD 5452- 2001, (See attached) is factory air-conditioned, and now owned by Tom Taylor.

I will appreciate the images, will credit you, and will serve as documentation of the ownership story.

Thanks,
archiveman2977
Allen B. Simons

Attach file:

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1-1-19

Hi Howard,

Happy New Year to you.

Your installation of another AC vent for your '47 reminds me of the Cardinal Rule of AC:

A friend who worked for GM-Frigidaire, who was involved in the up-front, first year 1955 Chevrolet AC system asked me if I knew the answer:

The first rule of automotive AC is AIRFLOW, not the cool air temperature from the vent.

An aside: Occasionally, his GM-Frigidaire team needed to share the wind tunnel facilities of the Harrison Radiator Group.

Major deal, as they were independent of each other and were fiercely secretive as well. Remember, Harrison won the contract for the 1954 Pontiac up-front AC system, as Frigidaire declined. He recalled reserving the wind tunnel, and remembered each team completely ignored each other, and spoke not a word.

There's always another car story...

archiveman2977
Allen

1-1-19

Hello puttenham,

First, Happy New Year.

Thanks for your research. I would never have considered to search the Smithsonian. Your estimation of 2.64-cid rings truer than a SWAG-scientific wild ass guess-, but, of course, your closest reference is a 1927 publication, rather than a 1939 one.

Along with the question of the air conditioning compressor cid, do you or anyone else know the CFM-cubic feet per minute- of the air conditioning blower? I haven't been able to find this information in the three 1941 air conditioning owner/service manuals; respectively, 1941 Packard, 1941 Cadillac and 1941 Chrysler.

Thanks again. It's always a feeling of accomplishment to uncover long lost information.

archiveman2977
Allen

12-21-18

Hi Packard Don,

Thanks for your info.

archiveman2977
Allen

12-15-18

Automotive News quoted the New York Times, " New Yorkers had to wait until March 17, 1940 for their first air conditioned taxi, a Packard." The 1940 Packard One-Ten, 6-cylinder models served as taxis.

Does anyone have an image of this air conditioned 1940 Packard One-Ten, New York City taxi?

Thanks,
archiveman2977