Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I've just been reading some letters in the most recent issue of the CCCA Bulletin on 1940 Packard and Chrysler AC units (Chrysler used a very similar unit, only on the Custom Crown Imperial I believe). A gentleman from Hawaii who is invariably spot-on accurate with his reponses states that AC was only available on the senior Packard cars. That may be correct, yet I've heard that it was also offered on the 120 and did see a lovely 1940 120 on the Henry Joy III tour this summer than had what appeared to be a factory AC installation, though of course it could have been filched from a senior and retrofitted.

I've also heard several times that Packard did not do the AC installation themselves because of complexity, need for extra body insulation, etc. and sent semifinished cars to Babcock and Bishop for the AC installation.

If anyone has any facts to support or reject these comments, I'd love to hear them.

We owned a dark blue 1942 Series 120 that had factory air. I have no idea where that car ended up. We sold it in the early 1980s to someone in Ohio. It had less than 50,000 miles on it.
I'm pretty sure it was available on all eights, even in 1940.
Cadillac also offered the same unit that Packard and Chrysler offered. However, I think that Packard is the only maker that offered it through 1942.

I know of a documented original 41-110 with factory air. PM me if you would like the owners name and contact. There is also an air conditioned 41-120 Coupe here in Dallas with a well known collector, who also has an original a/c 42-120 Clipper. Now THAT is rare. Point being, my personal observations conclude factory A/C fitted "junior" cars unquestionably were made, and still exist.

I am sure in that era if the owner had the money, then it could be special ordered.

Thanks for the information, guys. While it's not quite primary reference documentation, it's not anecdotal either and I'm inclined to think we've got the correct picture. The estimate I've heard is that about 2000 Packards were equipped with the B&B units between 1940 and the end of production in 1942.

A bit more on Chrysler's B&B units, offered in 1940 only on the Crown Imperial, then in 1941 on the Chrysler "senior" models, and in 1942 extended to DeSoto. Source for this is an article in the WPC (Chrysler Club publication).

My Grandparents had a 41 Oneten that they bought new that had A/C.
Greg

"There is also an air conditioned 41-120 Coupe here in Dallas with a well known collector, who also has an original a/c 42-120 Clipper. "

I wonder if that 1942 120 is the one we used to own. Do you know what color it is?

The 42-120 clipper is under restoration, having been rescued from indoor storage for years. I do not know the original color.

I would like to know who currently owns it.
Thanks.
StelvioGT @ yahoo.com

flackmaster, wasn't there an air conditioned pre-war Clipper at the Salado meet this past March. I took a photo of a Clipper with an "Air Conditioned" script on the front fender just under the hood.