8-5-17
Hello 32Model901,

If we only were able to peek inside Mr. Macauley's 1938 Packard Super Eight...

Thanks for the link about a chronologically interesting walk through automotive air conditioning through the "HVACNation_2008-06-FO2.pdf" link.

Thanks for attaching the November 1933 Popular Science article about the 1927 Packard Model 336 with the rudimentary air conditioning system.

The next attachment presents a good summary for the factory air system of the 1942 Packard Clipper, from the January 1942 edition of "Popular Science."

Thanks for your time and effort spent.

Best,
archiveman2977

8-5-17

Fact or Fiction:

Packard President Alvan Macauley drove a 1938 Packard prototype with air conditioning.

Comments?

archiveman2977

8-3-17

West,

You are correct.

I replaced the 1941 Cadillac Series 61 Coupe fastback with a 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Deluxe Coupe.


archiveman2977

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8-2-17

Resemblance of the 1941 Packard and the 1941 Cadillac:

New for 1941: Faired-in headlights
New for 1941: Chromed lower speed lines on front and rear fenders

Comments?


archiveman2977

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7-24-17

Hello Charlieshot,

Thanks for the reference about clear plastic AC ducts, according to The Robert H. Aller collection of Packard Bulletins, through Mid-America Packards.

I have ordered Volumes 2 and 3 today.

archiveman2977

7-18-17

Hi Wes,

Thanks for the heads-up about the Refrigair aftermarket unit from Popular Science 8-53. I am, however, focusing on factory air.

You may enjoy a book written by Rod Barclay, Boy! That Air Feels Good!, sold on Amazon, which details the complete history of aftermarket AC and its roots in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. It's a very good read.

Since you have Popular Science resources, look up the 10-52 edition. It lays out the plans for the 1953 factory air conditioning systems, with images.

Also, find the 2-53 edition which focuses on the 1953 Oldsmobile AC.

I appreciate your input, from now and before, and welcome more factory AC information. My Volume 1 comprises 1940-1942 and 1953 systems. Volume 2 will cover 1954-1960 systems.

archiveman2977

7-17-17

The question of the 1953-1954 Packard AC vents is an interesting one.

We have seen three types of cool air vents:

1. The slanted, louvered vents which lay flat on the package tray, with two chromed fresh/recirculated air knobs next to the return air grilles.

2. Extended length clear plastic ducts which met at the junction of the headliner and rear window molding, without chromed knobs.

3. Shorter, horse shoe-shaped clear plastic ducts with a vertical opening toward the rear passenger, without chromed knobs. The cool air blew directly onto the necks of the rear passengers. (See attached)

I imaged this 1953 Packard Cavalier. Oddly it featured oval return air grilles with white, irregularly cut gaskets and no chromed knobs.

Could the installations between the flat, louvered vents which included chromed fresh/recirculated air knobs and those with the clear air ducts and no chromed knobs be attributed to Packard dealer's Field Installation kits like those which were announced in the April 1953 Cadillac Accelerator? Refer to my post 7-16-17 for the Cadillac announcement.

Does anyone have dealer literature to substantiate this observation or have owner's instructions or Data Book supplemental information?

Comments?

archiveman2977

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7-17-17
LET THE RIDE DECIDE,

You are correct:

1953 Chrysler used Freon 22 used in Chrysler, Chrysler Imperial, DeSoto and Dodge

1953 GM used Freon 12 in Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile

1953 Packard used Freon 12

1953 Lincoln used Freon 12

archiveman2977

7-16-17
I am writing an illustrated history of factory air conditioning, searching for 1953-1954 Packard literature.

Introduced at the end of the year with Frigidaire components, July 1, 1953, there might be an updated Data Book insert, or may be an owner's manual supplement, dealer or factory literature, etc.

There also might be Packard dealer installation information, similar to the dealer-installed 1953 Cadillac. (See attached)

Thanks,
archiveman2977

Attach file:

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6-29-17

I am writing an illustrated history of factory air conditioning systems, including the 1940-1942 Packard system.

Does anyone have literature which states the CFM (cubic feet per minute) of the single 6V blower fan and the weight of the system?

Thanks,
archiveman2977