Those that have converted from non-a/c to factory-like a/c?

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I am entertaining the idea of adding a/c to the car when I actually can get some work done to it. I already need a dash pad, however is the entire frame different?

Assuming I have a magnum 360 in the car, what would be the best route for adding a/c that interior-wise, looks "right"? I say "right" and not "factory" because I am not concerned about it looking 100% original, but I do not want it looking cheesy either.

Has anyone used the Classic Auto Air kit? For $1300 it seems like a pretty fair price if it includes the whole-shabang.

http://www.classicautoair.com/70_73_Mopar%20E-Body_Air_Conditioning_Mopar_AC.html

[ShelbyDogg]

I've converted my non-a/c Challenger R/T to factory a/c years ago. I had to change everything including the dash pad, brackets, heat control bezels for a rallye dash, all the pulleys and brackets, search for hoses, etc. If you can add a/c for a little over $1300, that is a deal. I have factory air in all 3 of my cars and with my age will take  comfort before speed on my long drives.

The new system comes with a better, new style rotary compressor and add on dash vents. The vents look bigger than stock ones but work to get the air on your face. the other option was to add a vent set below the dash.

I would go for it.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Thanks for the info Rob. Hopefully I'll be making enough ponies I don't have to worry about a couple being sucked up by a/c. It's definitely something I want to pursue when I get to work on the car. It's really become a deterrent for a few months out of the year to take it out. A/C would make it MUCH nicer during the summer! The kit I posted seems to have things pretty dialed in.

[ShelbyDogg]

Yeah, air was something that we took off in the '70s. I put air in my car in the 80s after sitting at a light and a little 318 Barracuda turned left in front of me with his windows up. How cool can you look in a 70 Hemi-Orange Challenger R/T with a 440 in it while you are sweating your A$$ off on a not so hot summer day?  Just my black interior and headers would make me sweat when it is cool temps outside.   It sure is a must have on the Power Tour too. It always rains a day or two out of the week and the A/C defrost setting kills the fog instantly.

I have friends with 6-packs, shakers and Hemis, that have all added A/C to their cars.

[Cuda72]

I just finished a Vintage Air installation on my '72 Cuda, which came from the factory without air. Except for a minor issue with the binary switch interfering with the grille, I had no problems with the installation. When I called them about the grille interference issue, they were prompt in sending me the necessary adapter. Their kit includes everything except for freon and 5/8" heater hose.

The things I liked about this kit as opposed to the classic air is that vintage supplies a new heater control panel that looks close to stock and bolts right in. The classic air has you modify the existing heater control panel to add switches in the back, replacing the cables (but it has the advantage of 100% stock appearing). Another advantage of the vintage air is that the lines from the condenser are all on the passenger side of the engine compartment, where the lines from the classic air condenser exit the driver side and have to route over to the passenger side.

It took quite a bit of time to get it all installed, but was well worth the effort. BTW, this thing sure does kick out the cold air, and I barely feel a difference in the engine when blasting this cold air ;-).

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Thank you for the review! 110% originality is not a major concern of mine. Not having to tinker too much and rely upon the 40 year old heater controls also sounds like a good benefit. 

[1970 RT Challenger 1970]

Good thread. I thought about getting the Vintage Air one too. Nothing worse that a soggy T-Shirt and cruising on a hot day!

[DanGoodman]

I still love rolling all the windows down here in humid florida and love it.

[ShelbyDogg]

Windows down is good,  Convertible top down is good too.   
Turning the A/C on MAX with the windows down and top down gets you to the events without being a sweaty pig with a wet t-shirt on. That option is GREAT!  It's just like AM/FM. No one really needed FM if you already had A/M, but it was a nice option to get, just in case.

It's just another good option that lets me take my muscle car instead of my newer, beater, rice burner. I hardly ever use it, but it's there and ready if the temp hits 90-100.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Windows down is good,  Convertible top down is good too.   
Turning the A/C on MAX with the windows down and top down gets you to the events without being a sweaty pig with a wet t-shirt on. That option is GREAT!  It's just like AM/FM. No one really needed FM if you already had A/M, but it was a nice option to get, just in case.

It's just another good option that lets me take my muscle car instead of my newer, beater, rice burner. I hardly ever use it, but it's there and ready if the temp hits 90-100.

That's the plan, my car will be just short of a daily driver when I go back over it. 

[wally426ci]

Gonna watch this thread. My AC car does not have AC anymore (my fault) and i want to go back one day....