A Very Rare, Unusual Studebaker A/C Panel

[StudeRich]

This one is amazing, it appears to be the Control Panel for an Early Studebaker Air Conditioning System for the Trunk and Rear Shelf Mount Novi Unit.

It has TWO "Blowers", a "Cold" Knob and a Toggle Switch on the side.

It is at 1:16 to 1:17 Min. into this 8.52 Min Video on U Tube.

https://youtu.be/tPxCbIfyMxA?t=77

[6hk71400]

My 56 President Classic, currently owned by Jon Carter in Scottsdale, has the same set up and on the back of the trunk mounted unit is a emblem Studebaker Air Conditioning.

Bob Miles
Tucson AZ

[62champ]

So '59 was the first year for the under-dash unit?

My father always said those rear AC were pretty useless on a good hot Texas day - the sun would heat up those plastic tubes to the point that when the air exited it had already warmed somewhat - but it had to be better than nothing...

[GrumpyOne]

This one is amazing, it appears to be the Control Panel for an Early Studebaker Air Conditioning System for the Trunk and Rear Shelf Mount Novi Unit.

It has TWO "Blowers", a "Cold" Knob and a Toggle Switch on the side.

It is at 1:16 to 1:17 Min. into this 8.52 Min Video on U Tube.

https://youtu.be/tPxCbIfyMxA?t=77

Ghaaa!!!

I've gone through four '55 prez parts sedans and one of 'em had the entire set up but I sold it a decade and half ago because it was six volts rather than twelve. I did keep the original rear shelf piece that has all the holes in the right place. (At least I think that it's still there underneath other stuff in this never ending project with the car that I kept).

That system would be perfect for the big sedans but the extra needed refrigerant back in the day was just prohibitive so out it went!

Now, I'm having second thoughts...

[6hk71400]

I believe 1958 was the first year for an under dash unit. Both the rear mount and under dash were an option. The 58 at the start of the thread with the A/C must be a rare option in a low production year.

The kids and I took a trip in the summer to my grandmothers in Clarkdale, in the 56 President Classic, across to California at night in the summer. It was the only time that all three of them wanted to sit in the back seat.

Bob Miles
Tucson AZ

[clonelark]

I had a 54 LandCruiser with a 56 AC unit in the trunk, (taken of a wrecked 56 years ago and stored in the attic) it was converted to 12 Volt and had a Sanderson compressor, it had a 289 with 54 intake and valve covers to look original. it had a hard time keeping the battery charged with the AC on very long. but worked very good on short trips. And yes she was a close friend of Sheba.

[56GH]

My 56 President Classic, currently owned by Jon Carter in Scottsdale, has the same set up and on the back of the trunk mounted unit is a emblem Studebaker Air Conditioning.

Bob Miles
Tucson AZ

Likewise, my 1957 President Classic had the same factory-installed A/C control panel and a Novi unit in the trunk. There's a thread somewhere in the Forum that talks about these A/C units. The plastic tubes coming out of the rear parcel shelf should be next to impossible to find!

[E. Davis]

Ghaaa!!!

I've gone through four '55 prez parts sedans and one of 'em had the entire set up but I sold it a decade and half ago because it was six volts rather than twelve. I did keep the original rear shelf piece that has all the holes in the right place. (At least I think that it's still there underneath other stuff in this never ending project with the car that I kept).

That system would be perfect for the big sedans but the extra needed refrigerant back in the day was just prohibitive so out it went!

Now, I'm having second thoughts...

Move to Great Falls Mt. and air conditioning will be the last thing on your mind. Twenty below this morning supposed to "warm" up to ten below today. A real cold spell supposed to be on the way later in the week.

[DEEPNHOCK]

More cowbell!!!!!

[Studedude]

I had a 54 LandCruiser with a 56 AC unit in the trunk, (taken of a wrecked 56 years ago and stored in the attic) it was converted to 12 Volt and had a Sanderson compressor, it had a 289 with 54 intake and valve covers to look original. it had a hard time keeping the battery charged with the AC on very long. but worked very good on short trips. And yes she was a close friend of Sheba.

Bob, didn't Johnny Wiffer buy that car from you?

[clonelark]

Bob, didn't Johnny Wiffer buy that car from you?

Yes he did Dave, I have no idea what has happened to it since he passed.

[8E45E]

There's a thread somewhere in the Forum that talks about these A/C units. The plastic tubes coming out of the rear parcel shelf should be next to impossible to find!

Here is one previous thread on them, with a close-up of the controls on a '55 in Post #33 here: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...-sold-survived!

Craig