First Year for Factory Air

[WLB]

What was the first year for factory air in pickups ?

[Skip Lackie]

1963-64 8E series T-cab (Champ) only. Never available in C-cab.

[63t-cab]

Skip, is it possible for a few 62s to have been equipped so ?

1963-64 8E series T-cab (Champ) only. Never available in C-cab.

[StudeNewby]

If someone could post pics of the underdash evaporator I would like to see what it looked like from the factory.

[StudeRich]

It would be the same underdash Unit as a '63/'64 Car, dropped low enough to open the Glovebox.

[62champ]

Below is what it looked like with a column shift.



and this is with a floor shift (photo is of what is supposed to be the last 3/4 ton 8E assembled)

[StudeNewby]

Below is what it looked like with a column shifted vehicle.



and this is with a floor shift (photo is of what is supposed to be the last 3/4 ton 8E assembled)

Thanks, Patrick!

[Skip Lackie]

Skip, is it possible for a few 62s to have been equipped so ?

Who knows? Certainly possible. It would not have been difficult to do, and I have even seen one 1962 7E13 with an (owner-installed) Lark a/c unit installed. My answer was based on the fact that a/c is listed in the parts book as only being available for the 8E series.

[JRoberts]

My '61 Champ has air and it looks like that in post #6. It was installed by the previous owner when he put in a deluxe Lark interior in the truck.

[abkco]

I just took one out of a 64 champ. It had the name studebaker on it and had rectangles instead of the circular blowers. I'm guessing someone transplanted it from a later car?

[8E45E]

I just took one out of a 64 champ. It had the name studebaker on it and had rectangles instead of the circular blowers. I'm guessing someone transplanted it from a later car?

It would have been from a 1965 or '66.

Craig

[abkco]

You are right. The previous owner said it came from a 65 Daytona. Thanks

[8E45E]

Who knows? Certainly possible. It would not have been difficult to do, and I have even seen one 1962 7E13 with an (owner-installed) Lark a/c unit installed. My answer was based on the fact that a/c is listed in the parts book as only being available for the 8E series.

According to RQ's Almanac column in the June, 1995 TW, a 7E122 was shipped to Cedar Rapids with 289 and A/C. Deviation #5231.

Craig

[stude1964]

I think those later evaps are really for a GT if they have a trim strip on the bottom that houses a vinyl, ribbed insert. The Larks are smooth on the bottom edge. As for the first year of A/C in trucks I would think late '62 as most I've seen have a later style evap( '63/4 ). Keep in mind that the bracket for the evap is special if the truck had a 5 speed and/or OD trans. as Patrick's picture shows on the last factory 3/4 ton TOW truck(which is for sale with all parts to restore).
Rob in PA.