Vic, Jack:
While there were certainly "factory approved" A/C installations,
they were all sourced from US manufacturers, none of which were
installed at the Triumph factory. All A/C systems were dealer installed.
I guess it depends on what your definition of "factory" is, but my
definition is that the system was installed on the assembly line where
the car itself was built. I think our debate is more about semantics
than technical merits of a particular system.
Having pooh-poohed the idea of factory air, I must admit that
the "approved" kit commands a premium, and will certainly add value to
your car. If I were to install air in my car, I believe I would forgo
the "approved" kit and go for a modern R134 kit. I personally find the
approved kit pretty intrusive in terms of passenger space, while the A/C
originally in my car was too much, and it only affected the passenger
side. The compressor was the size and weight of an anvil too.
Hey, its your car, do what makes *you* happy. As for my TR6,
stripping out the A/C and selling it on eBay for $350 made *me* very
happy =:-o
Vance
________________________________
From: Vsnively@aol.com [mailto:Vsnively@aol.com]
Sent: July 11, 2006 9:34 AM
To: Pimento73@aol.com; Navarrette, Vance; jrhauser@earthlink.net
Cc: 6pack@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: To a/c or to not (my TR6)?
In a message dated 7/11/2006 12:10:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
Pimento73@aol.com writes:
In a message dated 7/10/2006 11:32:52 P.M. Eastern Standard
Time,
vance.navarrette@intel.com writes:
> There was no such thing as
> "factory" air, so the dealers installed various kits to get AC
for US
> customers.
This is not entirely true. There was a Triumph sourced dealer
installed kit
available for about 2 years - 73 and 74, i think. This is the
one in Al's
ebay auction: Item # 180005518598
<snip>
Jack Mc,
My '75 has the "top hat" with a Lester compressor. I saw a '76 over
the weekend that had the "top hat" and Lester compressor as well.
Perhaps this was a stateside issue beyond the '74 model year. I believe
this to be a Triumph-sourced item as the original owner of my car was
the Southeastern Zone Manager for BL. He lived in Florida. I can't
imagine the "factory guy" buying a car w/o the Triumph-approved A/C kit.
Any other tattletale signs ? My controls look just like Vance's.
Regards,
Vic Snively
'75 TR6 w/AC
|