Anybody out there own a 'Ram-Air' Car Cooler?

[TomE_1953]

My neighbor brought over a magazine article about the "Ram-Air" or "Classic-Aire' Car Cooler. You fill it with water and hang it on the outside of the passenger window.
Classic-Aire photo LINK
Here is a link to their website
Ram-Air Car Coolers

Does anyone out there own one or know of anyone that does?
Do they work? The article says they take a 90 degree car down to 70 degrees (freeway driving only). You have to buy the one with the fan ($575) if you want to be cool in 'stop-n-go' traffic.

For $575 it better put a BIG <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...lins/grin.gif" alt="" /> on my face and KEEP ME COOL! That's a LOT of lettuce for a window unit?

Just wondering how may 'cool' cats <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...lins/cool.gif" alt="" /> are out there?

[rocketraider]

Couldn't get the links to work, but a buddy has a 50s vintage Sears Allstate Kar-Kooler that he displays with his 57 Olds. Functionality? he says it might reduce a little temperature on the road, but is no substitute for an R12 A/C unit.

That's the trouble with all of us. We've gotten spoiled to airconditioning. We never had it when I was growing up, and even though Mama has it now, she rarely turns it on. She'd rather have the windows open with a fan running. I tell her that with emphysema, she should run it, but she doesn't like it.

Me on the other hand, turns it on early in the year <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...lins/cool.gif" alt="" />.

[Bill Stoneberg]

The Ram Coolers work well in the drier parts of the country. They work on the same priciple as a swamp cooler for a house. A little humidity will cool you off on a hot dry day.
But just like a swamp cooler, they dont work in humid (read Houston or Gulf Coast) climates.
They look nice though and would be a nice addition to a classic car.

[Centurion]

I called the Classicaire company a few weeks ago to pose the same questions. Bill Stoneberg has it right; the company admits that these units are of minimal value when it is both hot and humid.

[nearchoclatetown]

the aircooled VW people call these things 'swamp coolers'.