mac said:
the firewall for a non a/c car and an a/c car are 2 completely different animals. the 2 stock heater boxes mount in different locations on the firewall because of the mounting studs.
Mac, Mannye mentioned in the "who is working on the car' thread that he was looking at the Classic Auto Air conversion set-up; I don't think he is contemplating the factory in-dash set-up. My take anyway. Mannye can clarify...
Mannye, the man you need to talk to about the degree to which this conversion works is Johnny McMoPar. His car is a factory air car, but with the CAA conversion under the hood and he's down here battling the same weather conditions. Seems to me that he's very happy with it IIRC. If you were to go with their entire package rather than converting to a factory in-dash set-up I think it minimizes the resale value issue as you could just yank it off and patch the firewall. Done. As for cost vs. return - you're the only one that can assess that. What's it worth to you to have air? Do you drive it enough in conditions that don't allow for the top to be down and a/c is required for you to justify the expense? If you're talking once or twice a year then why bother? Just drive the Jaguar Killer on those days...
I have the CAA conversion on Mrs. ACME's Swinger. Works great. Wish I had it on my Gold Duster vs. the old RV-2 V-Twin that takes 15 HP to turn... The Swinger was a no A/C car that I cut the firewall on and installed a '71 Duster factory underdash air set-up on. Of course that car isn't worth half of what yours is, so that was a no-brainer...