jimmies63

Trying to validate if my 63 has factory a/c or not. It was presented as factory a/c back in 82 when we got it. I sure looks like a factory install, but there are doubts due to timing. It is an Oct 62 car which seems to predate when a/c was supposed to be available.

I thought maybe a few pics from a known install might help.

JohnZ

If the VIN is below 12,000 (April build) it's not a factory installation. There are lots of illustrations and photos in your Assembly Manual and in Noland's Vol. II book. The compressor mounting brackets are one-year-only stamped parts (vs. castings on '64-up) and are extremely rare and expensive.

gbvette62

October 62, is way to early for a 63 with a factory installed AC.

Below is a picture of a 63 factory air car. This car belongs to a customer of mine, who I will be visiting either this coming Thursday, or the following Tuesday. I can take my camera and get some better under hood pics, when I go.

Powershift

If I remember correctly, the Engineering Drawings for air conditioning were not released for material procurement and production until December 1962 or January 1963. After this, a few months were still needed to get things ready for commercial installation on the assembly line. That is why the first AC was not available until March or April 1963.

Anything earlier was a prototype car or a test car. And these were few.

Larry

vettsplit 63

What does your driver's side inner fenderwell look like? I would think anyone who changed all the other stuff probably didn't go to the trouble to change out the inner panel, and on a 63 the inner panels are bonded in, so if it doesn't have the recess for the battery that would be a dead giveaway.

OG VETTE

I have a split window which is a Mid October 1962 and it looks like a factory install AC, battery is in driver side fender well with cover, fan has extra blade, hood pull handle is mounted a bit over than usual and of course the compressor is where the alternator is usually mounted alternator on driver side There is a faded AC sticker on the back passenger side back glass, if some one other than the factory installed it they sure went thru a lot of trouble I would like to get more info on the AC cars and how many are there before the AC production started and would like some pictures to compare.
Thanks

wombvette

The fender wells (inner-fenders) were the same AC or not. They just cut out the hole, installed the filler panel and mounted the tray. Easy conversion.

And, you cant install the factory air cond. box with the battery on the RH side, so it had to be converted.

vettsplit 63

Oh- didn't know it was that easy.

jimmies63

That is what my car looks like. Almost to a T. It came from TN in 82. Where did your car come from? I posted some pics in another post I started under my name. My compressor was removed but everything else left in place. Someone on another thread said one of the parts was clearly a 67 vintage part. I am going to see if I can get some numbers on some internal parts. I got some numbers on the duct work.

jimmies63

Especially one towrd the evaporator on the firewall.

c2performance

Could some one post pics of a stamped bracket vs a casted bracket would really like to see the diff between the two. I also have a complete oem a/c set up from the dash to the condensor and every part in between if any int. call Tom at 1-248-596-9546