Air conditioning or not

[ktownkid]

I have a 70 Nova SS....L48 with a four speed and a/c... don't like a/c that much but I understand that it's a little rare with this combo. So, it stays on the car........

It does ruin the looks under the hood.......

ktownkid

[tom406]

I think its a regional thing as well. I personally don't like it, for the clutter and complexity reasons stated. I really dislike cars with disconnected A/C systems but half of the crap still hanging around. If its there, it needs to be ALL there and working. If its not going to be used, I don't want to see any evidence that it was ever there. I don't pay more for working A/C, but I don't deduct for it either. Partial systems, however, I would deduct for either the cost of fixing it or properly eliminating it.

That said, I've talked to many customers in South Carolina/Florida/Texas who won't consider a car without A/C. Lack of A/C or availability of a good aftermarket setup is a deal breaker for them, and they add value for working A/C, or even a mostly complete A/C setup.

As for "real" musclecars having to be bare bones, I would say the Stage 1 Buicks in particular shoot holes in that "rule". I all for anything that scares you when you nail the throttle. I'm getting tired of cars that scare me when I hit the manual drum brakes.

[mr396]

When I was young, I didn't care about having a/c. All I cared about was having the fastest car. the only problem with that is, no matter how fast a factory car you buy there is always a faster car, it could be the same make and model car it is just faster. One was was just built better then the other. So to have the ultimate car,you need to make it lighter. new cam, some head work, headers and so on. you just end up with a non streetable car. a race car. I want to leave my car stock. Now in my older age I know that you can't have the fastest musclecar, but you could have the ultimate musclecar.That is a factory built high performance car with all the comfort and conveniences of the day. something that is fast. good looking, comfortible at 110 degrees in the summer. what would be better then a 1967 400 hp tri-power 427 corvette convertible with a/c. or a 1970 440 cuda or challenger convertible with a/c. 1968 1/2 mustang 428 cj convertible with a/c. in my opinion if you want the ultimate car you have to have a/c. oh and a convertible, and am,fm, and stereo tape player and p/steering and p/disc brakes and posi and tach and gauges,tilt.and juice lifters.

[55chevy]

I didn't care for A/C till I moved to Oklahoma... Now it's a must have during the summer months here

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Sam, to my knowledge, no a/c on any BB Novas. Most times the car was a SB, and the BB is a transplant. I would imagine that some BB Novas received dealer installed a/c, maybe in the 'hot' states.

[Mr70]

I too have never seen a 1968-70 BB Nova with factory A/C.
If someone here has one,I'd love to learn more about it?
I have a box of Vintage aftermarket suppliers Catalogs to Chevrolet Dealers back in the late 60's early 70's. Air Conditioning Vendors are in there,& their Flyers/Catalogs Feature the Nova with their ADDED A/C units.
Very colorful and explains prices & shows cool pix,(no Pun).

[mr396]

I have read that the 1967 camaro SS396 couldn't be ordered with a/c. Is this true?

[budnate]

yes it did come on the Camaro in 1967..not sure about it coming on the 375hp option though....

Bud.

[QQGSX]

I think there is a certain stigma attached to A/C cars. Since solid lifter Chevies or 440 six pack/Hemi cars couldn't be optioned with air there has been a perception that A/C and high performance are mutually exclusive. I have a 1970 Stage I GSX with air that runs extremely well. However, we live in Southern CA. where air is a nice convenience.

On the other hand, if you are looking for an all out street /strip car then such a car may not be taken as seriously.

I think it depends on the car. As Richard Dove said in his book "Guide to Buick Gran Sports": "If you're REAL SERIOUS, turn the air conditioning off."

[Mark_C]

No A/C on 67 big block Camaros. The BB was a mid year intro, and GM did not have the BB A/C system worked out until the 68 model year.