I haven't heard/read any bad news about 134a Vintage Air kits for 1st gen Camaros and I'm thinking of installing one in my NON-AIR '69 convertible. I went to their website... good info...no prices (any ballpark figures out there?) I see I can get a stock style center Dash vent and was wondering...other than new dash pad, are there any other dash modifications? I'm sure my kids in the back seat would appreciate the extra cool air coming through the center. Is there any advantage/need to replace my heater/vent controls with those for a factory AC car? Anyone gone through this out there? Can you send me to a site with some more in-depth answers?

Do a search on "Vintage Air." There was a lengthy discussion on this last month, I think.
Basically, you'll spend about $800 or $900 for the more desirable system, which mounts unseen behind the dash. It uses all your existing heat controls, so no need to replace them. You may need to replace your center dash bezel to accomodate the new vent.
The kits come with vents that are functional, but don't look stock. On my 67, I bought reproductions of the originals and used them instead.

I agree with conv.RS about the vents. I'm finishing up the install on my 67 and luckily had factory ac already. I don't care at all for the center dash vent supplied with the kit. But as for the rest of the unit, it is easy to install(unless you don't feel comfortable removing a fender). The system is set up for the exact configuration of the car provided it's ordered properly. All hoses and compressor brackets, etc are set up to drop right in. The cost can be from 900 to 1050 avg with a few good deals possible around 800. I would not hesitate to recommend the set up--dont't have the web address handy, go to hotbot and look up vintage air. One of the sites I've seen before should have some info.

Lance

Thanks. Sounds doable. I'll plan on keeping my stock NON-AC controls (unless someone can give me a good reason not to), and it sounds like I would be unhappy with the center vent Vintage Air provides as part of the kit.
I'll be replacing the Dash Pad anyway so I'll just order the AC style, but are there any other modifications (cutting, removing) I'll have to make to my NON-AC dash to put in this stock center vent?

When I had my dash apart (non-AC) I noticed a cutout for the center air vent so you shouldn't have to cut the dash. I am not sure how the vent would attach though... Let us know your progress as I am thinking about the vintage air for a future project...

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...Dennis
Topless'69 (http://home1.gte.net/ddunio/topless69)
Camaros Limited Nor-Cal (http://camaroslimited.com)
rsss.fun@gte.net

POPD,

I installed a Vintage Air unit on my big block 69 and used the OEM stle Center Air Vent. If you use the OEM air center air vent you will have to order Y adapter from Vintage air because the shape of their hose is DIFFERENT than the shape of the hose that was used with factory air cars.

Vintage Air hose is oblong shaped and the factory hose is more rounded. The adapter fits on back of the factory styled AC vent and it's hose attachement area on the back of the adapter will work with the vinatge air hose.