Was air conditioning in the 1960s an option or dealer installed

 

Excuse me...Starfires

 

RPO C60 Air Conditioning was a factory-installed option

 

It was also available through the parts department for dealer installation. Option code C60 didn't come into being until mid '60s. Prior to that it was option code N.

 

The SPECS booklet transitioned from letters to the alphanumeric RPO codes in the 1963 model year. Dealer installation on the Y-body cars was pretty easy, since that A/C was completely divorced from the heater system. I'm not sure how the full size A/C system could be dealer installed without major disassembly of the car.

 

Thank you guys, now any idea on the number of oldsmobile produced 61-63 with that a/c system

 

I've never found any hard figures on it, but it was an expensive option at over $400 so my WAG is 10% or less of yearly production had factory airconditioning.

An aftermarket underdash unit was less expensive, less complicated and could easily freeze you out since they were 100% recirc units. Sears, Penney's, Montgomery Ward and plenty of independent garages installed them by the hundreds and had installation kits for about any American car.

 

My donor car was an ac car. What a chop job they did on the right side of the firewall to install the ac system. Definitely no structural integrity left.

 

Your very right about major disassembly Joe. I was wondering about the holes in the dash for th ac vents on each side and after I got the dash out of the car (62 Starfire convertible) I found that Oldsmobile had thoughtfully cast the outline of the holes on the backside of the dash.. With patience and a good size wheel the hole was no big deal and the vents fit perfectly. I'm making my 62 convertible an ac car.

 

The air conditioning bits and pieces from the blower motor and heater box mounted on the firewall forward were removed on my 1968 Olds 98 convertible.
I had the heater hoses and vacuum lines replaced in the engine compartment, but it looks like I will have to take out the dash to replace the diaphragms to get the cabin air vents and the defroster push buttons to work.
Or does it require the entire A/C system to be in place to get the air vents and defroster buttons to work?
Thanks,
Ian