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I'm sure it's a longshot and would depend on the cooperation of an accommodating owner and photographer but I figure it's only a few keystrokes to ask.

If any prewar Clippers having AC happen to be at the Meet would someone please be kind enough to take some decent photos of the unit showing as many of the trunk, package shelf and vent area details as possible along with a few dimensions. Also any information on how the return air is done.

If that doesn't work out then I've been led to believe the conventional bodies used the identical evaporator unit and vent. Dimensions and photos of a regular body would probably work as well although I think the clearances to the trunk sheetmetal and exact location it sits might be different because of the trunk shape.

Recently made a halfway decent looking copy of the 56 AC and before that a decent Frigidaire lookalike for a 54. Still have a mind to try and duplicate what the original factory look of AC would have been on my 47 if Packard had made it available. Only problem with that idea is I have general photos but very little detailed information of how it fits and sits.

I'm almost positive the routing of everything is identical to the conventional cars. We used to own a 1942 Clipper with air. I think the evaporator in the trunk was identical, but can't say for sure. Certainly the vent was the same.
I think someone on this forum got some photos from Hollingsworth's car that was shown last year (?)... or the year before.

I believe it might have been JW who posted a photo of the car and is one of those I have. A help but the problem I'm having is none of the regular photos I've seen have any angled views showing the sides of the unit to any great extent. The connection to and photos of the vent are mostly obstructed by the trunk opening and seat back. Don't recall any showing where the intake air is collected. The only info I see on that is in an article for conventional bodies saying "the rear seat was blocked up to provide air flow under it" but no other details.

If there were a couple of photos taken from various angles I can get an idea of the depth, width or placement in relation to known body structures. Those combined with some overall dimensions would be a big help.

About the best I have at the moment showing a few of the details are in one of the magazine articles of a so called MacArthur car and in an old article from the North Texas CCCA region magazine.

I never even thought about return air flow, as many times as I've looked at the factory diagram. I now see what you're talking about. I guess I should remove my rear seat and take a look.

HH, have you considered tracking down the current owner of the alleged MacArthur car and asking him for direct help? For such a well-known vehicle I wouldn't think it would be that hard to identify the current owner.

Howard, I PM'ed you with info on the AC equipped 41 Clipper.

(o{}o)

Howard, a friend here in Austin has a 54 Cavalier with factory air. Is there anything here that interests you? I can get photos and measurements.

(o{}o)

I'm fairly familiar with the 53-54 offering but there is an inquiry in the "It's good to be king" thread on that particular unit. I don't have many good photos since it was long before digital cameras when last I was around them. If you could improve on those photos I have posted and fill in some details am sure that would be of interest to Jim.

The owner is on vacation now and I will talk to him when he returns and get some photos and measurements of the system.

(o{}o)