AC or No AC

[dfrazz]

If you had an option to add air conditioning to a big block car, would you? How much hp would you lose? How is initial investment and maintenance cost (ac unit, pulleys, belts, hoses, charging annually)? And in the end, is it worth it?

 

[WileE]

A different answer than it was back in the day. Question is, are you more concerned about winning a 1/4 mile drag, or your personal comfort ?

 

[DeltaV]

No and I live in a hot and humid climate.
Mine is a 4 speed '70 Charger with 383 magnum.

 

[440beep]

Heck NO! But then again I’m still a young 50 year old who prefers driving with windows down even in the hot humid Chicagoland summers. AC just looks like a PIA

 

[68BabyBlue]

Heck NO! But then again I’m still a young 50 year old who prefers driving with windows down even in the hot humid Chicagoland summers. AC just looks like a PIA

I lived in NW Indiana in the 90s, and had a GTX with fully operational factory A/C. I loved it, but didn't crave it. I was in my 40s then. Had three non A/C cars afterwards, and didn't miss it. Now I've gone full circle, with another factory A/C car. Sure is nice on the trek to Carlisle in July. Blew ice cold on the trip home, in 95 degree humidity.

Would I add it? Probably not, for a limited use vehicle like that. But the factory systems have been nice to have, and neither car had any maintenance issues keeping it working.

 

[Sixpactogo]

I would not add it to a non A/C car but since my Charger came with it, I rebuilt the box and upgraded the engine compartment. It has been working perfectly since 2015 and I am glad to have it when I want it. My car was a high dollar build so a few hundred dollars extra seems to be worth it. On the really hot days, it is the deciding factor between the Charger or the convertible. Horsepower loss was never a consideration.

 

[toolmanmike]

Yes to AC. As I get older I appreciate the creature comforts the new cars have. Cruise on a 4 hour trip would be something else that I would enjoy.

 

[davek]

Are you racing your car? Here in SC AC is a must. My Charger came with it and I will restore it. If your car didnt come with it then no. JMO

 

[#41]

Too many factors to answer, but in general I find AC on a classic car to be a maintenance PITA, ugly, and just extra weight.

If I lived in Denver and had a restored 69 Charger R/T, absolutely not. If I lived in Phoenix and had a 72 Satellite that I cruised often, then maybe.

 

[Tony Tee]

50 years in the stifling summer heat of florida.
Yes A/C !

 

[33 IMP]

I've seen 125° F here. Cools down to about 95° at around 2a.m.
A non-air black interior car (I have three) just doesn't get driven.
Unfortunately, a/c is not an option on any of them.

 

[Texas charger 73]

I'm in Texas and i added ac to my charger... i don't want to melt while cruising around

 

[1967coronet]

My 67 has no A/C , thought about adding it more than once.
If I ever do it will be a complete kit all from one vendor.
I think that will be the best chance of ending up with a working set up.
With only 1,500 to 2,000 aprox miles per year it is hard to talk myself into it.
Windows down , floor vents open, wings open , not bad at all on the road.

 

[dmoore]

Its an age thing! My next one WILL have A/C.

 

[68BabyBlue]

Its an age thing! My next one WILL have A/C.

My younger friends all thought I'd lost my mind when I sold my Hemi GTX, and replaced it with a 440 with factory A/C. I'm 71, and don't regret the swap.

 

[WileE]

As you can read, many different takes on it, and none are wrong. It boils down ( pun intended ) to what circumstance suits yourself. Me, I would not. Just buy another car with A/C like I did.

 

[dfrazz]

As you can read, many different takes on it, and none are wrong. It boils down ( pun intended ) to what circumstance suits yourself. Me, I would not. Just buy another car with A/C like I did.

Curious if you all think it impacts resale value (increase or decrease)?

 

[toolmanmike]

Curious if you all think it impacts resale value (increase or decrease)?

Increase for driver cars. A nut and bolt restore, it's a no-no.

 

[68BabyBlue]

I've watched the auction results on restored factory A/C cars closely, and it doesn't seem to add anything. With that in mind, I've bought cars that had working factory units, but never considered adding it to an existing car. I also treated it as a negative when I negotiated the price on the current one. See post #9.

 

[jimbosride]

Washington State ... A/C no ...... Functioning Wipers yes.