What was Studebaker's First Year and Model for In Dash A/C?

[TWChamp]

Studebaker was a leader in design, but it seems they were late with installing air conditioning in the dash.
I was just wonder what year and model finally got the A/C in the dash?

[Warren Webb]

If I understand your question correctly the only Studebaker with in dash a/c was the Avanti. All others had the underdash "add-on" units.

[6hk71400]

My 1956 President Classic had a trunk mounted air with the Studebaker plate on the unit with the plastic tubes coming out off the rear package shelf. My understanding for the under dash unit was first available in 1958.

Bob Miles
Pacific Southwest Zone Coordinator

[TWChamp]

If I understand your question correctly the only Studebaker with in dash a/c was the Avanti. All others had the underdash "add-on" units.

That's what I thought, but then I also forgot about the trunk mounted unit Bob just mentioned.
Now I wonder what years and models offered the trunk units?

[52-fan]

Studebaker was not really late in installing in-dash air conditioning. The company stopped producing cars about the time the integrated air conditioning systems were becoming available in most cars. Of course, some of the more expensive models got it a bit earlier.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

Mustangs in the mid-1960's had under-dash, add-on A/C units.
-Dwight

[Mike Sal]

Did any of the "67 / 68" prototypes have integrated AC units? I never really paid attention the few times I got to see them. It was going to take a whole new heater box design in order for Studebaker to accomplish it.

[Gunslinger]

Even the Avanti's a/c wasn't integral...the a/c and heat were two distinct systems independent of one another. You could run them both at the same time...an integrated system won't do that. I believe that was pretty common among manufacturers at the time.

[TWChamp]

Studebaker was not really late in installing in-dash air conditioning. The company stopped producing cars about the time the integrated air conditioning systems were becoming available in most cars. Of course, some of the more expensive models got it a bit earlier.

In 1971 I saw a 1955 Chevy 2 door sedan with factory air in the dash, and it was for sale for only $450. It was in New Mexico and I saw it on my way home, but foolishly didn't buy it.

[studegary]

No Studebakers had in-dash A/C (Avantis had non-integrated A/C units in the console). The only Studebakers with integrated (takes in outside air) A/C was offered in 1961 Larks.

[j.byrd]

This 57 President we had for a while had that huge unit mounted in the trunk. Seems like it had a Harrison tag on it also.

[6hk71400]

I forgot about the 61 Unit. My 61 Cruiser had that unit.

Bob Miles
Pacific Southwest Zone Coordinator

[8E45E]

Did any of the "67 / 68" prototypes have integrated AC units? I never really paid attention the few times I got to see them. It was going to take a whole new heater box design in order for Studebaker to accomplish it.

I don't believe any engineering drawings or artists' renderings for the Intermediate-sized car that was being worked on in late 1963 (which would have had an Avanti appearance) have ever been located. Being a more upmarket car, it probably would have had a 'deluxe' a/c option with in-dash a/c vents as the higher priced option, with the under-dash a/c as an 'economy' offering. Ford offered both a 'deluxe' Select-Aire and an 'economy' Polar-Aire a/c package at one time.

Craig

[Rerun]

Then some fool decides that he really wants his Studebaker A/C to be "In Dash".

[studegary]

Then some fool decides that he really wants his Studebaker A/C to be "In Dash".

[ATTACH=CONFIG]76539[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]76542[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]76543[/ATTACH]

That is quite a compromise. It turned the radio into an under dash unit and how about the use of the glove box? Is this an integrated unit (utilizing outside air)?