original aftermarket A/C, Frigette Strato V

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Mattax

Just the facts, ma'am
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This is pretty cool.
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Frigette Strato V - under dash system that was on my '67 Barracuda.
Probably installed before 1970.


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Everco Compressor
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Even though the clutch has a double pulley, only one belt was used.
A g**gle search turned up a 1968 newspaper advertisement.
Miami News Record Newspaper Archives, Apr 25, 1968, p. 10
Starting price was $149, which compared to the price as an option when the car was purchased would seem to be a bargain. Actual price installed???
'67 Factory and dealer installed A/C would add around $350 to the purchase price.

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Everco Compressor.
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Made for them by York..
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Brackets appear to be modified for the slant six.
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I worked part time for Sears automotive in the mid 70's. They installed similar aftermarket systems.
 
Back in the '80's, when I lived in NJ, Most of the new car dealers, ordered many of their cars without AC. If a customer wanted AC the dealer would have me come to the dealership, with my truck, and do an install of a factory kit. I charged a flat fee per car, and usually did two or three cars at the same time. Time ranged from 2 to 4 hours per car. Made some good money. Now I don't think it is possible to buy a new car without AC.
 
That's interesting. Did you make up the compressor brackets on the spot?
You can see these were welded up.

Brought that car to NJ from Michagan in '89 IIRC.
Arizona car. Sold by Town & Country Chrysler in Pheonix.
Had 52,000 miles on it when I bought it. Well more like 152, or 252 as you can tell from the engine compartment.
But its tube spark plug head engine that might have been painted red before getting the blue so could have been original. Didn't think to look for a number on it before giving it to the guy who bought my '68 with knocking rod bearings.
Point of all that is I can't be too sure when the A/C went on.
The torxlike screw heads suggest it might not have been right away. Torx was just being introduced around then. There might have been other star drives though.
 
Here's the condensor.
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The hoses ran through a couple of holes in the firewall.
I'll have to see if I have any photos that show that.
 
Wow small world. In early 70's I went to a junior college in Miami and my room mate worked at Miami Sales. He probably saw some of these A/C units. There was also a giant BFG plant in Miami at that time.
 
... Now I don't think it is possible to buy a new car without AC.

There was a year when Lexus offered the LS400 with no options besides the Lexus branded Pioneer radio or the Nakamichi radio. I wouldn't say it was cheaper to make them with everything..nothing was cheap on an early Lexus. They had a hydraulic fan motor inches from a serpentine belt pulley.
 
That's interesting. Did you make up the compressor brackets on the spot?
You can see these were welded up.

Brought that car to NJ from Michagan in '89 IIRC.
Arizona car. Sold by Town & Country Chrysler in Pheonix.
Had 52,000 miles on it when I bought it. Well more like 152, or 252 as you can tell from the engine compartment.
But its tube spark plug head engine that might have been painted red before getting the blue so could have been original. Didn't think to look for a number on it before giving it to the guy who bought my '68 with knocking rod bearings.
Point of all that is I can't be too sure when the A/C went on.
The torxlike screw heads suggest it might not have been right away. Torx was just being introduced around then. There might have been other star drives though.

The factory "kits" Had everything except the R-12. I had to supply that. When done, you could not tell the difference, from factory installed, unless you were an expert.
The imports were the easiest to do, and as far as I know, every brand had the factory kit. Mopar and Ford had dealer installed kits available, but some were a real bear to install. I never saw a GM factory/dealer kit. So I am under the impression Gm never made a "kit". However, the aftermarket had just about every GM vehicle covered.
 
The factory "kits" Had everything except the R-12. I had to supply that. When done, you could not tell the difference, from factory installed, unless you were an expert.
The imports were the easiest to do, and as far as I know, every brand had the factory kit. Mopar and Ford had dealer installed kits available, but some were a real bear to install. I never saw a GM factory/dealer kit. So I am under the impression Gm never made a "kit". However, the aftermarket had just about every GM vehicle covered.
I see. That's why you didn't need to make up brackets. Maybe Frigette or Everco had some templates or brackets for the common engines.
The AMC-Jeep manuals and parts books from the mid-80s show dealer installed "American Air" so they were doing it too.

Wow small world. In early 70's I went to a junior college in Miami and my room mate worked at Miami Sales. He probably saw some of these A/C units. There was also a giant BFG plant in Miami at that time.
Was Miami Sales a BFG dealer or franchise?
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Because it came up in conversation I pulled the box out. I've saved this setup for years but don't plan to use it and actually like to find it a better home. I'll post it in the sale section in the next day or two and keep this thread for discussion and reference.

Another photo. This one of the wiring and two more paper labels.
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The factory "kits" Had everything except the R-12. I had to supply that. When done, you could not tell the difference, from factory installed, unless you were an expert.
The imports were the easiest to do, and as far as I know, every brand had the factory kit. Mopar and Ford had dealer installed kits available, but some were a real bear to install. I never saw a GM factory/dealer kit. So I am under the impression Gm never made a "kit". However, the aftermarket had just about every GM vehicle covered.
I have dealer installed Chrysler a/c in my Swinger. It looks like assembly line stuff under the hood. It has the "knee knocker" evaporator unit under the dash. It did not come with a bigger radiator or a kick up solenoid for the idle like the factory stuff did. The "A/C by Chrysler Parts Division" sticker is a hoot! Mine still has R12 and blows cold.

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