If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
First Small Truck With Air Conditioning in United States
I am considering buying an antique truck for deliveries...a small
enough model that what would hold less than today's minivans. What's the first year, make and model offered in America that had air conditioning as an option? I understand some cars, like Franklins, as early at the 1910s, had ammonia-based air conditioners. Although Franklin was a fancy car, some truck must have had it available. |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
First Small Truck With Air Conditioning in United States
Just a thought--might it have been a truck with a refrigerated freight
area and somebody had the bright idea to run a small duct into the cab? On Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:17:47 -0700, wrote: >I am considering buying an antique truck for deliveries...a small >enough model that what would hold less than today's minivans. What's >the first year, make and model offered in America that had air >conditioning as an option? > >I understand some cars, like Franklins, as early at the 1910s, had >ammonia-based air conditioners. Although Franklin was a fancy car, >some truck must have had it available. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
First Small Truck With Air Conditioning in United States
On Sep 17, 5:49 pm, Heather & Joe Way > wrote:
> On Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:17:47 -0700, wrote: > >I am considering buying an antique truck for deliveries...a small > >enough model that what would hold less than today's minivans. What's > >the first year, make and model offered in America that had air > >conditioning as an option? > > >I understand some cars, like Franklins, as early at the 1910s, had > >ammonia-based air conditioners. Although Franklin was a fancy car, > >some truck must have had it available. > > ================================ > Hmmm...I suspect that functioning, reliable air conditioning was > limited to passenger cars at first, and that it was probably in the > late '50s or early '60s that it was offered in trucks. > > However, air conditioning can be installed in almost any vehicle. A > number of people have air in their Model A Fords, for instance, and a > Model A sedan delivery would be just the right size for you. > > The later the truck, the more room it is likely to have under the dash > and the hood for the necessary hardware, and the more likely that the > stock engine will be powerful enough to make it practical to drive in > modern traffic. Of course, running gear upgrades could be installed in > any truck. > > Joe > -- > Heather & Joe Way > Sierra Specialty Automotive > Brake cylinders sleeved with brass > Gus Wilson Storieshttp://www.brakecylinder.com How reliable would a Model A Sedan Delivery be compared to today's cars? Reliability is supremely important as there are few places to get an antique car fixed relatively inexpensively and conveniently where I am (Los Angeles). I was thinking a Model T with an electric starter is so simple, there isn't much that can go wrong! How's my line of thinking on that one? |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
First Small Truck With Air Conditioning in United States
On Sep 17, 6:20 pm, wrote:
> On Sep 17, 5:49 pm, Heather & Joe Way > wrote: > > > > > > > On Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:17:47 -0700, wrote: > > >I am considering buying an antique truck for deliveries...a small > > >enough model that what would hold less than today's minivans. What's > > >the first year, make and model offered in America that had air > > >conditioning as an option? > > > >I understand some cars, like Franklins, as early at the 1910s, had > > >ammonia-based air conditioners. Although Franklin was a fancy car, > > >some truck must have had it available. > > > ================================ > > Hmmm...I suspect that functioning, reliable air conditioning was > > limited to passenger cars at first, and that it was probably in the > > late '50s or early '60s that it was offered in trucks. > > > However, air conditioning can be installed in almost any vehicle. A > > number of people have air in their Model A Fords, for instance, and a > > Model A sedan delivery would be just the right size for you. > > > The later the truck, the more room it is likely to have under the dash > > and the hood for the necessary hardware, and the more likely that the > > stock engine will be powerful enough to make it practical to drive in > > modern traffic. Of course, running gear upgrades could be installed in > > any truck. > > > Joe > > -- > > Heather & Joe Way > > Sierra Specialty Automotive > > Brake cylinders sleeved with brass > > Gus Wilson Storieshttp://www.brakecylinder.com > > How reliable would a Model A Sedan Delivery be compared to today's > cars? Reliability is supremely important as there are few places to > get an antique car fixed relatively inexpensively and conveniently > where I am (Los Angeles). I was thinking a Model T with an electric > starter is so simple, there isn't much that can go wrong! How's my > line of thinking on that one?- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - Any year in particular that you'd recommend as being particularly good? |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
First Small Truck With Air Conditioning in United States
Heather & Joe Way wrote:
> The later the truck, the more room it is likely to have under the dash > and the hood for the necessary hardware, and the more likely that the > stock engine will be powerful enough to make it practical to drive in > modern traffic. I'm not so sure of that. The old flatheads left plenty of room under the hood; mostly above the engine. So did the old inline 6s from the 1950s and 60s. As far as power is concerned, my '61 E-100 had a lot less power than my '40 Ford, and there were plenty of Falcons running around with that engine and AC. I suspect that any small truck after the model-T era would do ok in this regard. One problem you may have, though, is the relay that kicks the AC in. That's usually 12v negative ground, and old Fords (at least) are 6v positive ground. A replacement (and some creative wiring) might be needed. George Patterson If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess to anything. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
First Small Truck With Air Conditioning in United States
|
#8
|
|||
|
|||
First Small Truck With Air Conditioning in United States
I drive old cars as daily transportation so I understand where ashers
is coming from. I'm also a realist. Post War cars offer the best candidates for true daily drivers.They work and operate pretty much the same as modern vehicles. There won't be any surprises for a modern driver with most cars of the 40's -60's. They have enough power for modern traffic, hydraulic brakes, optional power steering, braking, etc. I would choose a popular make (e.g. Ford or GM ) for a daily driver simply because parts are easier to locate and after-market accessories are generally abundant. Another disadvantage of a 6 volt system is that nobody else out on the road can give you a jump start if you need it. Ford introduced a 12 volt electrical system in 1956. If you want to add ac, whether modern or period, that's a good year to start. If you wish to keep the truck "stock" an ac system from a Ford car of the same vintage will generally bolt right in. Automatic transmissions are also available. Moving into the1960's, depending how much money you wish to spend, well appointed trucks are available with just about every option a modern truck would be expected to have. As for air conditioning, unless you find an old truck that already has a good functioning system, I would forget about trying to locate a period unit. I would install a complete, modern 134a system from Vintage Air http://www.vintageair.com/ or Classic Auto Air http://www.classicair.com/ . Both of these companies make excellent products and will custom tailor a unit for your application. Another advantage with one of these retro-fit systems is that the compressor and other components are smaller, lighter and more efficient than the original systems of the 50's and 60's. Unless you really enjoy working on cars and have an above average desire to do so, don't bother with a prewar car, especially one as old as a Model T. They're nice to look at and probably fun to tool around town in on Independence Day but to rely on one for daily use is asking for trouble. Even a Model A, although "reliable" by the standards of 1930, is no match for the average modern driver. Why would you want a car with mechanical brakes, skinny tires, and limited power. You are asking for trouble and they just aren't safe on crowded streets, especially in bad weather. It may look "quaint" to make your deliveries in a 1930 woody or pickup but that quaintness would soon wear off and simply become an annoyance. If you live in a town like Mayberry (with as much traffic) and don't have to deliver goods more than a couple miles from your business, a Model A might suffice. If you live in a normal town, I would concentrate on vehicles from the mid 50's through 1979. Forrest |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Sometimes, small cars can be safer (nothing gross) - small car safety.jpg | Norm DePlume | Auto Photos | 1 | August 3rd 07 05:53 PM |
Various States | Thomas Avery[_2_] | Driving | 0 | May 1st 07 11:31 AM |
Will the United States admit it was wrong to invade Iraq? | rex roland | Simulators | 42 | June 5th 06 10:39 AM |
4 or 6 cylinder small truck??? | sandy | General | 1 | September 6th 05 06:04 AM |