Packard Forum Index » Studebaker Built Packards (1957 - 58)

Kind of interesting that it says Packard air conditioning!

ebay.com/itm/1957-Packard-Clipper-Air-Co ... ts_Accessories&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_689

So did the same unit go in the Studebaker cars, and have Studebaker plate on them?

There were any number of units a dealer was able to use. If not factory system, believe large Packards mostly used the ARA setup and also the Mark IV units by Mitchell Automotive Air.

NOVI was a fairly large aftermarket and custom builder. Some of their units have been found aftermarket in Packards. Apparently Studebaker used those units as factory supplied -- although there does not appear to be a label on them in the 56 Stude manual. In 57, since Packard was a Studebaker, that was apparently the factory unit of choice. The dealers were free to use them as well in prior cars.

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I once owned a 1957 Studebaker President Classic with factory A/C. It was a Novi unit and took up most of the trunk space over the rear axle. There were two plastic tubes that came out of the unit on the parcel shelf and pointed towards the headliner ala Cadillac. The compressor was huge compared to today's units.

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Thanks for posting your original trunk unit photos. Always appreciate seeing the details on how they were done.

Wonder how popular those Novi units were in the big picture. Seems (on Packards at least) you see far more ARA or Mark IV units than just about any other aftermarket including the factory authorized or dealer supplied Novi.

It appears the ebay unit in the original post had no bids at $1200. That must mean it was way overpriced or no one wants an original factory trunk unit. Looks like he's a multimake dealer and has a lot of other items so with no bids, maybe it's still available.

And just when I said it appeared Novi units were not seen often in 55-6 Packards Mal goes and posts a picture of one. Still, it would be interesting to know why there were more ARA units installed and Packard labeled or even the original Novi labeled were not used more often.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb ... .php?post_id=126723#forumpost126723

It's just like Mal to negate even the best theory. We should sack him on the spot.

Ozstatman