RandyVettes

I am looking at a clean 78 L48 4-speed that was factory ordered without air conditioning. I wont need or use air but I am wondering if there are any pros or cons to a factory no-air car.
"Back in the day" we used to just disconnect it and toss it to save weight anyway, but today what are the pros and cons to a factory no-air 78?
Thanks in advance!

L48 no Air 1978

BarryB72

I have a non AC 72 and where it bothers me the most is when I scan the want to buy ads and they all say A/C required if it's not a high horsepower car they want.

But it doesn't bother me when I hear my father in law say he's replaced the compressor on his 78 three times in 10 years and 5000 miles.

RandyVettes

Thanks!

210ken

A 78, with or without ac, doesn’t have a lot of value to start with relatively speaking. An original no ac car just lowers the value more. Adding an efficient compact aftermarket Vintage air system with the money you save on the purchase seems like a reasonable solution if you want to make it appeal to a broader market if you want to flip it. The manual trans is the value adder on a 78.
My 73 is a no ac car and I intended to add it after my purchase. As it turns out, I usually only drive it in the mornings or evenings when it’s just naturally cooler out anyway.

fake

Never buy with out air you will sweat your ***** off even if you add a valve to your heater hose to shut off heat to it. Had a 75 air roadster automatic i would take that back over my 77 L-82 4 speed car with no air . We use these cars in the summer they should have come with heater delete and air standard The T-Tops are no alternate to air.

RandyVettes

I know 78 isn't a sought after car among C3's but I am looking for a low-dollar C3 to wrench on with my son that we can have a little fun with and not have to worry about like I would worry of I had a chrome bumper car. The car is nice, engine bay needs detailing but the interior and paint are great. Mechanically sound, original and numbers match for $8,000. It's calling my name. I just dont want to be stuck if I decide to get out of it in a couple years for something with more muscle.

Easy Mike

AC is a personal choice. If you like car and want it, there are no cons.

Greg

A/C is a regional thing. Here in the southwest it's a must have. Up in Seattle, not so important. I'd say the 4 speed is a better than average offset for this car.
Cheers, Greg

vettebuyer6369

If you are considering buying a '78 without air and you aren't interested in AC, then you have the best of both worlds. Air is mostly expected on later C3s like a '78, so while the value is more enhanced with it, I believe the effect is more pronounced without it, meaning the deduction in value should be significant. So, if you don't want AC, you are buying from a position of strength, like someone who likes a modified car they are considering purchasing.

Be sure to make the asking/buying price reflect the market difference.

BKarol

I have a 78 L82 4spd 3.70, no air. The original buyer apparently wanted no frills. Crank windows

Pro: Changing the heater core should only take 1/2 hour. Room to work on the passenger side engine compartment.
Less weight.
Cons:
gets hot.
If you decide to sell the pool of buyers will be smaller.

avalonjohn

I have a 68 and 69. Both no air. I also really want a nice 78 SA. First Corvette my dad took me to look at on the showroom floor. Don't let anyone tell you those are not worth much. Who cares first off. They are sexy as heck and I think ot is nice that you and your son can have fun together working on it.
Now, AC. Personally if I were buying a 78, which I still may someday, I would insist on AC. Remember, you are sitting next to the transmission. I need a shower after driving my 68 in the summer. I get out of the car and it looks like I just got off the treadmill.
I really only ( try) to drive my car (summer, Mid-Atlantic) in the morning or late afternoon evening.
Spring and Fall are ok.
If the car you are looking at is really nice, think about adding it.

fake

Forget price always buy the best and that year i would say 99% of the cars had air but you can put air in it if you beleive it is a buy, but as leverage has it that could be a bargaining tool and result in a lower price.

7T1vette

You might consider buying an A/C car with a non-functional system. Just tell the seller you don't really want A/C so you will have to deduct the value of the non-working A/C system from the price. Later, if you wish to add A/C, you only have to install a conversion kit (this assumes that the evaporator has not been damaged internally). If you get it for a good price, you MIGHT be able to upgrade to working A/C for much less than putting it in a non-A/C car. Just something to mull over.............

marshal135

I would buy with AC because you never know where you maybe later in life and need it.
I bought my '68 BB factory AC car in 2011, I never bothered to get the AC up and running. It was all there.
I moved to Florida 2 yrs ago to retire. The car came down with me. When I bought it I hadn't any plans for retirement yet.
I got away w/o air in Penna for 7yrs. In Fl you gotta have it. So you just never know. Better to have it and not need it than not have it and need it one day. I like the pace car version myself.
Marshal

skb40466

I agree with Marshall’s thought process up until he said he left PA for Florida.

interpon

8 grand 4 speed
if no major rust..runs and drives buy it..after negotiation..
i dont care if you live in the north..i run my ac in the summer with the windows down..these cats are hot..
for 2 grand you can put in aftermarket air...the 4speed overrules..
you will spend enough money on that 8 k car anyway lol...adding air means bigger radiator etc..
agree with more room to work on...ac in these cars imo if driven in city and summer...needs air..not required bit certainly much more pleasurable...

could use some more pics! Hows the birdcage?

Pale Roader

I'm damn lucky to live in a place where i'd need AC maybe 2-4 weeks out ov the year. Aside from the 4 new (96-2008) cars i've owned, i've never had a working AC in over 40 cars. First thing i do when i buy an (old) AC car is remove it... and it leaves a big ugly hole(s). I'd MUCH rather get a non-AC car.

Now, even if i DID want AC... i'd still pull the stock (heavy, ugly, likely inefficient and unreliable) system, and replace it with a modern Vintage Air unit or something.

Its a 78 man... enjoy your car the way you want it. If it was a 69-70 with a stock L88 and some super-rare factory AC yeah... i'd leave it. in. Better yet, i'd sell it for a fortune and buy a stripper car.

Rescue Rogers

You are buying the car for you and your son, not the next guy. Dont worry about what the next guy wants. Its a used car and its still going to be a used car. They sell vintage air systems that are probably better than the old system if you want to buy it for the next guy. I would worry more about rust and paint bubbles and think about what you and your son can accomplish with the car you can afford and the memories you and he will have forever. I did a little wrenching with my Dad, mostly maintenance on the family daily drivers. Nothing like you are going to have with your son but a few things that I do remember have always stuck with me.

It was my second car, a 66 mustang 289 coupe. I had zero money for parts, wheels, tires but I was able to buy a cheap stereo and speakers piece meal after each pay check. I dreamed of cams , headers, Keystone classics but had to settle for used air cleaners and gas. I remember putting on a used aluminum faux fuel injection air cleaner and my Dad looking at it and asking if it was going to make my car faster? I just looked at him and said no, and thought it was a stupid question. I obviously bought it because it looked a little cool. I never forgot it and thought he was being sarcastic. It took me 30 or so years to understand that simple question and the meaning it had. Now i dont buy the do-dads and gadgets, I buy speed parts and upgrades. I will never forget that statement.

My nephew has showed some interest in cars and asked if he can come help on my vette. I told him of course and started to explain basic engine principles but I guess hes losing interest and paying more attention to girls which is understandable. Point is I would buy the car and get started while your son is interested. Years go by fast and soon hes going to be moving onto sports, girls, music and other interests. While you are working on the car, you dont have to talk about the car, just a conversation with your son wil be pricless to him as the years go by

Bikespace

I pulled the AC out of my 80 (first year with standard AC). It took a bunch of time to find a non-AC fan/core cover, but it frees up a lot of space in the engine compartment. If you live somewhere that you don't need it, the 4-speed will more than make up for the absence. Windows down, tops off, and rowing gears is the best part of the C3 experience!

Sir Keith

If you 'won't need to use air,' why bother fussing, either way? We're not talking about a big money C3 here, so all this talk about resale value etc. is not very consequential. If you find a car you like, buy it, whether or not it has AC.