archiveman2977

10-10-16 I am writing an illustrated history of factory air conditioning during the 1940-1942 and 1953-1960 periods. I continue to search for a photo of the 1940 Packard air conditioned demonstrator at the 1940 auto shows. Do you or anyone else have such a photo? I came across a 1941 Chicago Auto Show flyer which advertised "SEE THE MOTOR CAR THAT MAKES ICE CUBES," followed by "Special equipment for the Super-8 includes a cellarette, with service for six--including two trays of ice cubes! They freeze while you drive! Again, there's real refrigerated Air Conditioning to rout the heat of Summer! Don't miss it! Ask the man who owns one!" (See attached) I have found an article from the San Francisco Examiner 11-17-40 which illustrated the cellarette service. However, I am unable to find 1941 Packard literature to support the optional cellarette accessory. Do you or anyone else have such a brochure? (See attached) I would appreciate such information and will ensure that you are credited for it. Thanks, archiveman2977 1941 PACKARD OFFERS CELLARETTE BAR THAT MAKES ICE CUBES -SF EXAMINER 11-17-40 ABS 10-9-16.doc

10-5-16 I am searching for a 1940 auto show picture(s) of the 1940 Packard with the new "Weather-Conditioner" air conditioner. The picture will likely include some type of display advertising for the first time factory-installed air conditioner. Yes, I understand that Packard shipped its cars to its sub-contractor, Bishop and Babcock in Cleveland. Nevertheless, the "Weather-Conditioner" was factory authorized, installed, and warranted through Packard. This picture will be included in my illustrated history of U.S. factory air conditioned cars, beginning with the 1940-1942 period and continuing with the 1953 through 1960 models. With this publication, the legacy of the air conditioning literature will be utilized and recorded. I appreciate your response and will ensure that your contribution will be credited in the publication. Thanks, archiveman2977

12-4-15 Hello Hans, Thanks for your reply. Yes, my topic for the book covers factory-installed air conditioning. Your 1953 Buick Roadmaster Riviera, however, sets itself apart from "just another hang-on aftermarket air conditioner" installation because of its condition and for its beautiful Mandarin Red and Majestic White color combination. I would appreciate more images from you because there may be a place in the 1953 Buick chapter for your car. If you would like to supply more images, please let me know. Thanks, Allen S.-archiveman2977

11-30-15 Hello Hans1965, What a beautiful 1953 Buick Roadmaster Riviera you own. The color combination of Mandarin Red Poly and Majestic White project an air of prestige and luxury which was very important in 1953. The1953 Buick advertised, "BUICK'S GREATEST CARS IN 50 GREAT YEARS!" For their anniversary year Buick introduced its first V-8 engine, the first 12-volt electrical system, the "MILLION DOLLAR RIDE," and, importantly, the BUICK AIRCONDITIONER (no hyphen between AIR and CONDITIONER in the sales literature). Based upon the Riviera's cost of $3358, this first year's Frigidaire air conditioning system cost $594, a very expensive optional accessory. I am writing an illustrated history of factory-installed auto air conditioning. With your permission I would like to display your Buick in the 1953 Buick chapter. Your images shown here are a high-resolution quality and will be excellent for publication. If you wish to provide more images of the car and the system components, please contact me. I will, of course, include your name in the captions. Thank you, archiveman2977

2-4-14 Hi, Fr. Buick, Muchas gracias, many thanks for sending me a copy of the 1953-1954 BUICK AIR CONDITIONER MANUAL. The copy you sent is ...far better...than my original copy from a poor copier. In addition, I found you in a USA TODAY video with your beautiful 1954 Buick Super. The combination of the two inspires me to ...keep writing... in the chapter about the 1953 Buick Airconditioner. Thanks again, Allen Archiveman2977

2-2-14 Hi, Charles, Thanks, I'm aware of that. I have photographed the 1953 evaporators--Cadillac, Oldsmobile and Buick--all with the GM-Frigidaire label and realized there was something missing from the 1954-on cabinets. In fact, there were no identification labels on them, so that it was difficult to differentiate each cabinet from its brethren, so I made sure to take pics with their tailfins. Thanks, Allen Archiveman2977

2-3-14 Hi, Charles, Yup, I have through 1955 Oldsmobile AC shop manuals. When the time comes, I will contact you for info from the others. Thanks to you, last year I supplemented the info on the 1954 Pontiac AC that I had accumulated and copied it from your AACA posts. As I already mentioned, I'm still working on 1953. Thanks, Allen Archiveman2977

1-31-14 Hi, Charles Thanks for your reply. I have previously read all your comments concerning the 1954 Pontiac up-front AC vs. the 1954 Nash up-front system. In fact, I was mesmerized by your knowledge and tenacity for the 1954 Pontiac AC subject. I recall that during the -great debate- of Who's First?" I added my two cents in--probably sometime in 2012, by adding the publication dates for the 1954 Pontiac AC and 1954 Nash AC from my service manual copies. As I remember, Pontiac had the earliest service manual publication date. I lapped up the information about your assistance last year with the 1954 Pontiac Star Chief in collaboration with Dave Roberts with Delphi. The Picador Red-Winter White Pontiac on the cover of ACtion magazine is stunning. I had already planned to contact you and commiserate about the story of Pontiac and Harrison Radiator; however, I am still actively writing the 1953 Cadillac, Oldsmobile and Buick AC chapters. In other words, I'm not to -1954- yet. Thanks for your comments. I will look forward to your 1954 Pontiac encyclopedia of knowledge, soon, I hope. Regards, Allen Archiveman2977

1-31-14 Hi, Dave Yes, I have searched/enjoyed the Old Car Manual/Brochures site many times. It's amazing how you can get lost in it--and literally hours pass while enjoying the pics, renderings, specs and topics while entering a previous world where those cars were seen every day. I grew up in Houston where I never got tired at looking for the newest, most luxurious, or ...air conditioned...cars that one day I knew I could ...grow up...and buy. I have checked out several of your sites today and realize that there are, indeed, those who really enjoy the art of old cars and what they stood for. Thanks, Allen Archiveman2977

1-29-14 I am writing an illustrated history of the evolution of factory air conditioning and am currently seeking 1953-1960 Oldsmobile press releases, owner's manuals, fact book information and other pertinent ephemera which includes the initial road testing, introduction and updating of the air conditioning systems. With this exercise, the legacy of the air conditioning literature will be utilized and recorded. In a much larger context, I have collected multi-make AC literature and am in the process of writing about AC evolution through illustrations not only of Oldsmobile, but of all car makes, 1953-1960, plus the 1940-1942 time period. I will appreciate your response and I will ensure that your contributions will be credited in the publication. Thank you, Archiveman2977 Allen B. Simons

1-25-14 Hi, Buicknutty/Keith, I have just realized that I didn't send you a PM with my address for you to send me your 1956 Buick literature! I will PM you now--and thanks for your generous offer of the literature. Allen Archiveman2977

1-25-14 Hi, Rob--It doesn't seem that I PM'd you my address to forward your copy of the -cooling- brochure. I will do it now. Thanks, Allen Archiveman2977

1-17-14 Hi, buick5563/Mike, Thanks for your response. Since I live in the Austin suburb of Bastrop, a visit to your shop sounds great. I will schedule it with you after February 1. I viewed your 1955 Buick Special. It's a knockout. Is it Cascade Blue/Dover White or Gulf Turquoise/Dover White? Regards, Archiveman2977 Allen

1-17-14 Hi, Fr. Buick, Thanks for the offer. I'll send you a PM. Thanks, Archiveman2977 Allen

1-17-14 Hi, Fr. Buick, Thanks for the offer. I'll send you a PM. Thanks, Archiveman2977 Allen

1-16-14 Hi, Buicknutty/Keith, Thanks for your response. Yes, please scan and send me what you have. Often a good, recent scan will have a far better presentation than some of the copies that I made over the years with questionable-quality library copiers. Thanks, Archiveman2977 Allen

1-16-14 Hi Rob, Thanks for your reply. First, I followed your 1957 Buick Roadmaster thread--you will be proud of a top-of-the-line Buick when it's finished. The 1957 Roadmaster epitomizes a beautiful, --swoopy-looking-- luxury car of the mid-50's. Yes, please, scan your brochure for me. I will add it to my collection. I am focusing on the literature/illustrations aspect of factory air, rather than the hands-on repairs of the mechanical equipment that is featured in the shop manuals. Currently, my collection includes copies of the 1957 Buick Facts Book AC section, the Buick Product School Manual 1957 AC section, Buick Owner's Guide 1957, first edition AC section, and Buick 1957 Guide, third edition, AC section, and a color image of a "blued-out" cabin surrounded by a yellow Buick two-door hardtop with red-colored background mountains, presented in the 1957 Buick brochure. Interestingly, there is an update for the upper center AC outlet, the original with vertical bars only, and the added "grille" later added to cover the blank holes of the first version. The first version is in a dash view of the Buick Owner's Guide 1957, first edition, while the latter version is shown in the dash view, 1957 Buick Owner's Guide, third edition. (See -4- attachments) Also, Rob, check out the thread by "buick man," 3-11-2011: "1957 Buick AC Dash Vent Question." Thanks again for the offer of your brochure copy. Regards, Archiveman2977 Allen

1-15-14 I am writing an illustrated history of the evolution of factory air conditioning and am currently seeking 1953-1960 Buick press releases, owner's manuals, fact book information and other pertinent ephemera which includes the initial road testing, introduction and updating of the systems. With this exercise, the legacy of the air conditioning literature will be utilized and recorded. In a much larger context, I have collected multi-make AC literature and am in the process of writing about AC evolution through illustrations of all car makes, 1953-1960, plus the 1940-1942 time period. I will appreciate your response and I will ensure that your contributions will be credited in the publication. Thank you, Archiveman2977 Allen B. Simons

1-14-14 I am writing about the evolution of factory air conditioning, currently am seeking 1953 -1960 Buick press releases, owner's manuals, fact book information and other pertinent ephemera as to the initial road testing, introduction and updating of their systems. With this exercise, the Buick legacy of its literature will be utilized and recorded. In a much larger context, I have collected multi-make AC literature over 50 years, and am in the process of writing about AC evolution through illustrations of all car makes, 1953-1960, plus the 1940-1942 time period. I will appreciate your response. Thank you, Achiveman2977 Allen B. Simons

12-4-13 Thanks, NTX5467 for your reference to www.automobile-catalog.com/auta_details1.php. . I am always hesitant to quote information from a third party source. In this case, the 1953 Roadmaster turning circle diameter, 41.5 ft., and the wheelbase, 125.5 inches, correlates to the Buick Data Book information. As for the 1953 Chrysler New Yorker specifications, I will consider the information as "probable" until I can verify it with factory information. Thanks again, Archiveman2977

11-30-13 Thank you 1953mack for the spot-on info about the 1953 Buick Roadmaster V-8 turning circle diameter, supported by the 1953 Buick's "Facts for Buick Salesmen 1953", page 99. The Buick press release attributed a shorter V-8 block vs. the previous inline eight engine for the reduction in wheelbase and turning circle diameter. Now, we need to verify the 1953 Chrysler New Yorker's turning circle diameter to determine which car actually turned in a smaller turning diameter. Remember, the point of this inquiry is to validate engine block sizes (Chrysler Hemi vs. Buick V-8) /wheelbases in relation to the resultant turning circle diameter for the two cars. Thanks again, Archiveman2977

11-25-13 Thanks for your comments, NTX5467. You have filled in little known historical information, and I thank you for it. Thanks for the "wildaboutcarsonline" site. Linked to that site the "Old Car Manual Project" offered everything except the 1953 Buick and Chrysler Data Books, with specifications for the turning radius. In researching their online owner's manuals, the specifications printed proved to be elementary. I have the 1953 Buick Shop Manual; it did not list the turning radius, neither did the "Encyclopedia of American Cars from 1930." Consequently, the answers may lie in the individual Data Books for 1953. I would appreciate the information should you encounter it. Thank you, Archiveman2977

11-23-13 Hi, John V. In researching the new 1953 Buick Roadmaster V-8, I understand that Turlay designed the nearly vertical "nailhead" exhaust valves to narrow the width of the engine in the engine bay, thus allowing its steering/wheels to turn at a sharper angle and to reduce the turning radius--as compared with the current 1953 Chrysler New Yorker Hemi engine--with a wider stance in the engine bay which limited the steering angle and, consequently, the resultant turning radius was quoted as greater than the 1953 Buick Roadmaster. Now, I am verifying that conclusion but have had no luck in their respective brochures. Thanks, Archiveman 2977

11-23-13 Please provide the turning radius for the 1953 Buick Roadmaster vs. 1953 Chrysler New Yorker. Thanks, Archiveman2977

6-20-13 You will have a ball with that '62 New Yorker--it has a 413 c.i./4 bbl. carb engine that will fly when properly tuned. When you get it running, the electroluminescent dash lighting is splendid. -pic attached- - I have a '61 Chrysler Newport still in our barn since 1974. Here is a pic of it after the first car wash since '74. This will be my next project to get it running again. Does your car have factory air? Here in Texas, it was a must. For readers who have never seen our Chrysler dash, produced from 1960-1962, I attached another pic: bubble glass over instruments and speedo, TorqueFlite transmission pushbuttons on the left of the steering wheel, placed symmetrically with the Airtemp AC/heat pushbuttons on the right side. The periscope AC vents swivel and pull up and down for AC airflow to the passengers. And yes, it was known to frost the windshield when an air vent was laid flat. Good luck with your Chrysler, it's a beauty. Best to you, Allen