I think the 98 model had a/c as an option. Would that unit be useable in the 88? Do they still exist and would they be repairable if they did. Or is aftermarket a/c the only option.

 

I believe the factory unit on '51- '53( if they had air conditioning,was the huge unit that mounted under the package board,in the trunk and had clear tubes mounted that carried cold air to four vents mounted in the headliner. Doubt that you could ever find one and get it to work.The aftermarket route will be much easier! Larry

 

There out there just not easy to come by

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1953-1954-19...b93b96&vxp=mtr

 

Besides rarity, I would go aftermarket if you want it to actually cool, not just look cool. Are you running a 12V system?

 

I don't believe that unit will fit nor do I think they offered A/C in 51. Also that unit isn't complete as far as I can tell , it's missing the condenser which resides in the trunk and would be about the size of a large suitcase. Also I believe all earley A/C units were all 12 volt and were available from 54 and later.I could be wrong on some of this but I almost positive this unit will not fit.... Go with a Vintage Air system if they even make one in 6 volt.... Just my thoughts ...Tedd

 

1953 was the first year for factory Frigidaire. It was only available on the 98 4 door sedan that first year. You can spot them by the 2 transparent plastic tubes in the rear window, as the vents were in the headliner. I had one from 1978 to 1998. It had a huge clutchless compressor on the engine, which requires a beefier water pump. I had mine working for a while, but it was a huge drag on the engine. Most of the time, I took the A/C belts off. (It required 2 belts that had to match.) The owner's manual suggested removing the belts in the fall. It was so overbuilt that it would probably be pretty easy to make it work, if you had one, and could get your hands on some R-12.
Jerry

 

I had one in a 54 Buick Roadmaster and it had the clear lexan tubes that carried the cold air forward and it never worked well either. The trunk was large enough for two Jimmy Hoffa's but with the condenser in there you had trouble fitting a overnight bag ...Tedd

 

I think you have the condenser confused with the evaporaor. The condenser is mounted in front of the vehicle's radiator. Its function is to give up heat causing the refregerant vapor to liquefy. The evaporator is mounted in the rear compartment, and its function is to absorb heat from air blown over it so as to turn the liquid state refrigerant back into a vapor. The air from which the heat is absorbed becomes the cool air that is discharged into the passenger compartment. Both the condenser and the evaporator look like radiators, which in effect they are.

 

You are correct , my mistake....Tedd

 

I think I have access to a trunk evaporater unit from a '53 Cadillac if you are interested call me days @813-453-8962, if you want cold a/c, go with a Vintage Air unit, if you want cool looks those plexi tubes sticking out of package tray are that- seems like if those systems worked real well you would have a perpetual stiff neck! LOL Dave

 

Those systems actually worked very well back in the '50's. My uncle had a 54? Caddie with that evaporator in the trunk system and it was very cold. I used to wear a sweater in the summer if I had occasion to ride in his car. Anything metal in the car would be cool to the touch after a 15 minute drive.

Henry

 

..but Henry, it wasn't as hot back then, but seriously, I've never had the opportunity to ride in one of the 50's cars with the original a/c. The units are huge and most of the aftermarket companies do make new units which are trunk mounted, I've had thoughts of using such a system in our '34 Olds, but concluded the unit to be too large for the trunk. Dave

 

I'm sure those old aircon systems would be enough to keep you very cool. The old Frigidaire A5 and A6 compressors would pump out enough BTU's to cool a small 3 bedroom house. Certainly the A5 in my 1957 Oldsmobile provides enough freezing cold air to chill the car and myself. You don't need to use R12 - at least not here in Australia. you can use one of the 'green' friendly R12 replacements.

 

I am using the old long style , probably 1965 vintage compressor in my '37 Cadillac with a Vintage Air system and it will freeze you out, nothing wrong with those old style compressors! Dave