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Vintage vs Classic air

Bill Monk

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What's the opinions on Vintage vs Classic air for a complete aftermarket ac? Other options welcome as well. Mine is a non ac car
 
:popcorn: I will be making this decision myself shortly. I will be watching to see the different opinions.
 
I've only installed Vintage Air but am very happy with it, after filling it we measured 32 degrees coming out of the vents. Since both seam to have a good rep I'd look at the evaporator boxes and make your decision based on that because for the most part the rest is universal. I really like the servo operated doors in mine but hate that all of the ducts come out of the top (PITA to hook up). One other complaint is the controls have individual wire terminals vs a master plug so being able to see the terminals and get them plugged into the right spot is a pain. Once installed it's great they just could have improved those few things.
 
Classic in my non ac Coronet. Ice cold for 10 years. Lots of threads on this. Friend has Vintage in a 70 'Cuda. Loves it.
 
I see that it says that the Classic Air option gives you a new controller that fits in the original location. Does anyone have a close up picture of it. I looked at the picture on their website, but it doesn't let you see it very well. I don't know that I like the idea of losing the factory button style controls, and would like to see what the replacement looks like.

Edit,... Sorry. Vehicle is 1969 Charger with factory A/C
 
I see that it says that the Classic Air option gives you a new controller that fits in the original location. Does anyone have a close up picture of it. I looked at the picture on their website, but it doesn't let you see it very well. I don't know that I like the idea of losing the factory button style controls, and would like to see what the replacement looks like.

Edit,... Sorry. Vehicle is 1969 Charger with factory A/C

Here is the controller that comes with the Classic Auto Air kit.


https://www.restomodair.com/shopproducts/1968-70-mopar-b-body-x-act-fit-a-c-controller/
 
I went with Classic because I wanted the lines to run down the passenger side like the originals did. It also allowed me to use factory vent parts in the dash like original.
 
I just ordered classic auto air kit also
 
I just got my Classic Air kit last month. Mocked it up and looks good. Just gotta find the time to get it installed.
 
build your own using whatever you want. controls from factory can pick out your own size evap and condenser hoses can be made from the hose shop. everything else at your local a/c supplier. just a thought.
 
I am leaning towards the Vintage air. Go to their website and you can download the installation directions for your particular car. Also shows the controls which fit where the stock ones were...................MO
 
I've only installed Vintage Air but am very happy with it, after filling it we measured 32 degrees coming out of the vents. Since both seam to have a good rep I'd look at the evaporator boxes and make your decision based on that because for the most part the rest is universal. I really like the servo operated doors in mine but hate that all of the ducts come out of the top (PITA to hook up). One other complaint is the controls have individual wire terminals vs a master plug so being able to see the terminals and get them plugged into the right spot is a pain. Once installed it's great they just could have improved those few things.
Pretty much same experience here. I agree with the comment about the outlets from the evaporator box - they could be easier with a slightly longer snout, and maybe a barb style end so that the flexi duct holds on better. Definitely difficult to put it all together under-dash....but worth the effort when installed. I used a different style condenser in my truck install due to airflow to the radiator being restricted to begin with. Control switch did have extra wiring, and did take longer to figure out...but still easy enough to work with once the instructions are understood clearly. :)
I am still happy to recommend the Vintage Air system based on my experience.

Thinking back, there were very small barbs to hold the flexi duct....but they could be a lot bigger and more pronounced. They are quite small.
 
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build your own using whatever you want. controls from factory can pick out your own size evap and condenser hoses can be made from the hose shop. everything else at your local a/c supplier. just a thought.
Most people prefer the ease of the kits but I 100% agree with you. I bought the evaporator and pieced the rest together for a much, much cleaner installation with everything neatly ran down the passenger side.
 
Looks to me like vintage AND classic air have clean fitting controls that look like but replace the original heat/AC dash controls.
I'm not understanding something: Chtampa went with Classic because he wanted the lines to run down the passenger side like the originals did.
Is this different than vintage air?
 
Hi,

I put the Classic Air kit in my 70 Road Runner. I wanted to hide my A/C as much as possible so my Air Grabber car looked (mostly) stock. Overall, I am very happy with how it works and turned out. You can check out details on my old restoration thread. See link below:
Comparison of the stock and Classic controls (post 24). Installation starts page 3:
https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/hawk-rod-the-restoration.65096/page-2

I modified the new controls to fit in the classic controls. See post 232:
https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/hawk-rod-the-restoration.65096/page-12

Some shots of my A/C hoses (and there are more if you page through a bit):
https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/hawk-rod-the-restoration.65096/page-24

Hope some of these help folks either get ideas or make up their mind which system to get. From what I have heard and seen, either system works well. The key really is a nice, clean installation.

Hawk
 
Really need to include which model or kit was used as there are many versions.
I used the Vintage air model 971064 SureFit kit for '69-'70 B-Bodies without factory air.
This kit runs the lines through the fender access panel where you adjust the upper control arm, and then the lines go up under the fender and to the firewall inside the fender (no connection plate, just a sealing plate.) It works fine, but I would have prefered the lines run inside the engine compartment to a bulkhead fitting.
The #051066 Condenser Kit with Dryer fit well with no issues.
The #474155 Control panel replaces the factory control panel and just connects with a single cable to the #571064 Generation IV Evaporator kit.
The #571064 Generation IV Evaporator kit comes with block off plates for the hole in the firewall where the original heater hoses came through, and a block off plate for where the fresh air from the cowl went into the original heater box. Note that the blower of this unit recycles the interior air. This unit is pretty light and fairly easy to mount under the dash. This kit comes with new vent outlets that mount under the dash for cars that do not have the factory A/C vents.
I did not use the Compressor and engine bracket kit that comes in the Vintage Air kit because I used the Billet Specialties Tru-Track system with A/C compressor.
Because of the different A/C compressor mounting, I had to modify the A/C lines that came with the Vintage Air kit.
 
Great info; does anyone have a photo of how the vintage air runs under the passenger fender??
 
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