OK,

So I am guilty of being a total hardtop fan, but I have owned at least one 69 ragtop in the last 12 years and this brings about my question?

Why the heck did GM build so many Verts with Air. Like it's not bad enough that they have the most fun on a hot summer day and have the chicks flocking to them, but then they restrict Z/28's from having air and add them to a vert that has the top down anyways?

Maybe the engineers sat in one at the factory, rolled up a nice big fatty, lit it up and said,

Dude....Lets add air! :rolleyes:

Good question!
Most of the 'verts I've seen with A/C are/were eastern states cars v.s western states - not anything scientific, just something I started to notice. Maybe our 'dry heat' has something to do with it :confused:
Could also be that with the ragtop option already driving the price up, the added $300(+) for A/C just seemed right... I've only seen 1 convertible (67) with a base 6, 3 on-tree, manual top and the only visible was an AM radio - I thought the car was cool compared o the ones we usually see with every option on them - now.

It probably is best to keep the windows up and the air on when you're doing a 'big fatty'... ;)

Mine doesn't have C-60.

LOL!! Even my '69 VW Karman Ghia Convertible had air... I think it was an attempt to make the ragtops more than a fair weather vehicle. One 5 hr trip in 90deg plus heat with the top down and I think you would agree. There's a time and palce for the top being up besides when it rains or when the cars parked and if it's not raining or parked and the tops up AC is as cool as it gets...

Graeme,
That would explain alot about adding air to a vert. In the books I've read, they were on a field trip to Vancouver when the fatties were flyin' :D So then, we're lucky they remembered to put an exhaust on them let alone the air in a convertible :D

Dano graemlins/clonk.gif

Two a the better ideas that bit the dust b/c of the "Bean Counters" were the window "vent wings" and the lower pull/push "vent doors"!! Imho...

AND this BS of no defrost w/o the A/C on like my el-cheapo '03 Accent commuter ride has sucks!!!!

pdq67

My daily driver is a BMW 323i convertible. I definately use the A/C more often than I put the top down. The top goes down when the temp is 75 to 85 degrees. Any other time it is too hot ot too cold for top down driving.

Scott.

Might be that those who rides the convertibles are used to having cold air around their necks. So when the top is up they can have the AC on full blast to feel comfortable.


Jan

[ 10-21-2004, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: jannes_z-28 ]

i don't get convertible guys- they get the convertible top to ge the wind in their hair, then when they have it down, they roll the windows up and crank the AC..


what's wrong with this picture?

Derrik, I guess its like warring shorts and a heavy sweatshirt when its 50* out....I don't understand.

Originally posted by hugger_sixty_nine:
but then they restrict Z/28's from having air and add them to a vert that has the top down anyways?

i know im gettin off topic here, but ive always wondered why ac was unavailable on z/28s.

Originally posted by DOUG G:
Derrik, I guess its like warring shorts and a heavy sweatshirt when its 50* out....I don't understand. I do this. Mainly because of my job. Shorts are way more comfortable than long pants under a cleanroom suit and the sweat shirt keeps me warm on when I venture outside. usually though I'll where the shorts even in 40 degree weather too. smile.gif

On the ragtop deal, I'm with Dennis most people want the ability to be comfortable in the car no matter what the weather outside is. In my CJ5 I had, I ran a Bikini top(on the jeep : D ) in the summer because the sun could give you a nice scalp burn if exposed too long. Sun is great but sun and the option for shade is even better smile.gif

Due to the fact that the A/C belt would sling off at 4000 RPM and the redline on a z-28 was 6200 or there about.

Of course there the El-strippo performance car angle to consider.

Of course I'm Guessing so I can start my day out being wrong. :D

I think there was some GM rule about no AC in solid lifter cam'd cars but not 100% on that...

Dennis-you're correct-no A/C or automatic trans with solid lifter cars,either big or small block.

Try living in the Central Valley here in California with 100 F days. A top down is not fun. Don't forget, these car back then were main transportation, not week end warriors. On classy nights out, the wife didn't want to mess the hair up.

Originally posted by Peter Constantine:
Dennis-you're correct-no A/C or automatic trans with solid lifter cars,either big or small block. Except in Corvettes - the 327/365 in the '64-'65 was available with A/C, as was the '72 LT-1. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Originally posted by hugger_sixty_nine:
Why the heck did GM build so many Verts with Air.Simple - because customers and dealers wanted it and ordered it; GM didn't order the cars built, they just made the option available. Cars don't get built without a dealer order. graemlins/thumbsup.gif