how rare is factory AC?

[s10mk]

Hey everyone,
I'm starting to search for my first 67-72 chevy, I would like to fix one up into a daily driver, and having AC for a daily driver is really nice where I'm from. How rare are these trucks with factory AC? More than likely, I'll wind up with a non-ac truck and retrofit AC into it. I was just curious about how rare of an option that was at the time. If I remember correctly, Air conditioning was still a pretty expensive option in the late 60s and early 70s.

[clay68c10]

I'll venture a guess and say 10% in the 67-68 years and 30% by 72.
It depends where you are looking too, when I grew up in Wyoming I hardly ever saw an AC truck. I lived in Dallas for 7 years and saw quite a few, relatively speaking.

[darrellyates]

Originally Posted by s10mk

Hey everyone,
I'm starting to search for my first 67-72 chevy, I would like to fix one up into a daily driver, and having AC for a daily driver is really nice where I'm from. How rare are these trucks with factory AC? More than likely, I'll wind up with a non-ac truck and retrofit AC into it. I was just curious about how rare of an option that was at the time. If I remember correctly, Air conditioning was still a pretty expensive option in the late 60s and early 70s.

It will vary from year to year, however, according the Standard Catalog of American Light Duty Trucks, Chevrolet said air conditioning went on a total of 3% of trucks produced in 1968. However, by 1972 that percentage had climbed to 33%. So, likely more rare in earlier trucks. And then further, by the end of the 1970's installation rates were nearly 90%.

[67ChevyRedneck]

These trucks went through an evolution through their 6 year run. You'll find the majority of original 67's that are left will have manual brakes & steering, a straight six, 3 speed, no A/C, and likely a stepside or longbed fleetside.

There was a clear shift in what the consumer wanted out of a pickup, because by 1972 shortbed fleetsides were now outselling stepsides, and you're more likely to find a "loaded" truck with A/C, 350/Auto, Power Steering, Power Disc Brakes, etc.

If you want original, your more likely to find a "loaded" truck from 1971/72, but so many of these trucks have been retrofitted in modern A/C kits now... it just depends on your budget and what you want.

[68Gold/white]

Wow! My 67 has factory AC. manual brakes, 283/glide, driver side sun visor and door arm rest only. That's about it.

Of course my 68 also has AC. It was a high option unit.

You have to think about the folks ordering vehicles back then. Times were way different. A 40 something year old person in charge of ordering had lived through the depression. Most folks were extremely conservative with $$$. A pickup with a 6 banger and 3 on the tree was what got the job done, nothing else mattered. Food on the table and a roof over head were things that most adults were still thankful for back then. Man -o-man what a different day and time!!!

[leddzepp]

Both my 68 and 72 have it...and they work as they should

[darrellyates]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Wow! My 67 has factory AC. manual brakes, 283/glide, driver side sun visor and door arm rest only. That's about it.

Of course my 68 also has AC. It was a high option unit.

Actually, very rare. In 1967, again, only 3% of trucks were equipped with factory air, according to my quoted sources. There were a few options that were rarer, but your ride is pretty special! Congrats!!

[cooperhw]

Your question is "how rare is factory AC". As others have quoted, much rarer on earlier 67 units and not as rare on 72's.
However, the real question is this; "How rare is it to find one today"?
They are out there, as I just bought a 71 GMC pickup with factory 402, auto, and air a couple weeks ago. I wasn't looking for another truck, but when I popped the hood and saw a complete big block with air, I casually shut the hood and told the woman "I'll take it".
So yeah, they are out there, but you'll need to look to find one complete.

[Already Gone]

As has been said they are out there especially in 71/72's and 69/70's are around as well. The biggest problem is trying to find an Factory A/C truck with 1, the A/C parts like compressor and brackets all there and secondly the A/C actually functioning and working. I don't know how many 20/25k redone trucks that are for sale and the seller states A/C all there but needs a recharge. Okay if you just spent 20k restoring a truck why not spend another 150.00 and get the A/C working.. Buyer Beware !!!

[s10mk]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

Your question is "how rare is factory AC". As others have quoted, much rarer on earlier 67 units and not as rare on 72's.
However, the real question is this; "How rare is it to find one today"?
They are out there, as I just bought a 71 GMC pickup with factory 402, auto, and air a couple weeks ago. I wasn't looking for another truck, but when I popped the hood and saw a complete big block with air, I casually shut the hood and told the woman "I'll take it".
So yeah, they are out there, but you'll need to look to find one complete.

Wow, a factory 402 with air would be an eye opener!. When I do find a truck, air isn't a prerequisite. In fact, I would jump on a non-ac truck that had a solid and ,relatively, rust free body. But If I do find a non-ac truck, I would add AC after the fact.

[s10mk]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

As has been said they are out there especially in 71/72's and 69/70's are around as well. The biggest problem is trying to find an Factory A/C truck with 1, the A/C parts like compressor and brackets all there and secondly the A/C actually functioning and working. I don't know how many 20/25k redone trucks that are for sale and the seller states A/C all there but needs a recharge. Okay if you just spent 20k restoring a truck why not spend another 150.00 and get the A/C working.. Buyer Beware !!!

Here is a picture of my monte carlo, the previous owner had a big block in the car, and they had removed all of the heater/ ac components. And it just had a block off plate where the heater box used to be. When I bought the car, I pieced everything back together to go with the LS swap.

[Big Block]

AC was an pretty expensive option. I have a 71 Chevy Custom Deluxe Short Bed that is kind of an odd ball. I have the original sales order recite and Protecoplate. I purchase it from the original owner son. AC is listed for $430 dollars. That's almost 10% of the cost of the truck. It really doesn't matter in you buy one with factor air. Most likely the system will need a major overhaul which is not cheap. It might be better not to have it in the first place unless you're a purest and want something all original. A new system takes up less space under the hood and all component are new. Good luck with your search.

[Doug's68SS]

my 68 had P/S, P/B, Auto, and A/C all on a 396. has been a fun truck for years.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

As has been said they are out there especially in 71/72's and 69/70's are around as well. The biggest problem is trying to find an Factory A/C truck with 1, the A/C parts like compressor and brackets all there and secondly the A/C actually functioning and working. I don't know how many 20/25k redone trucks that are for sale and the seller states A/C all there but needs a recharge. Okay if you just spent 20k restoring a truck why not spend another 150.00 and get the A/C working.. Buyer Beware !!!

Because it's really another $5-600 to do it right

[67 chevelle]

Originally Posted by clay68c10

I'll venture a guess and say 10% in the 67-68 years and 30% by 72.
It depends where you are looking too, when I grew up in Wyoming I hardly ever saw an AC truck. I lived in Dallas for 7 years and saw quite a few, relatively speaking.

I have a 67 68 and 69 , only the 69 came with factory air , so Id say this is accurate in my case anyway

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by s10mk

Wow, a factory 402 with air would be an eye opener!. When I do find a truck, air isn't a prerequisite. In fact, I would jump on a non-ac truck that had a solid and ,relatively, rust free body. But If I do find a non-ac truck, I would add AC after the fact.

I hear you. I have popped more than my share of cars and trucks hoods since I started buying, fixing, selling these old cars and this is my absolute first case of open the hood, big block, AC, everything as it should be, and assured it runs, drives, and just passed emissions.
Here's a pic

I apologize if I am hijacking OP's thread, but to me, this was one rare find. Like was said earlier, "they are there, but dang few are ALL THERE".
Oh yeah, rust free too.

[Haru]

Looks familiar

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

Your question is "how rare is factory AC". As others have quoted, much rarer on earlier 67 units and not as rare on 72's.
However, the real question is this; "How rare is it to find one today"?
They are out there, as I just bought a 71 GMC pickup with factory 402, auto, and air a couple weeks ago. I wasn't looking for another truck, but when I popped the hood and saw a complete big block with air, I casually shut the hood and told the woman "I'll take it".
So yeah, they are out there, but you'll need to look to find one complete.

Big reason I bought my 72. A/C, 402 and near every option imaginable. Brakes were shot, cab has seen much better days. Will need suspension some day, and the engine is probably on it's 1/4 end. Can't complain, I'd rather drive it than my Tundra with 70K on the odometer, and generally do.

[palallin]

Threads like this make me continue to lament the wreck of my '67 SWB, big-window (nearly rust-free cab) with A/C. . . .

[hdff]

Originally Posted by s10mk

Wow, a factory 402 with air would be an eye opener!. When I do find a truck, air isn't a prerequisite. In fact, I would jump on a non-ac truck that had a solid and ,relatively, rust free body. But If I do find a non-ac truck, I would add AC after the fact.

My '71's spid shows 396 which was a 402(gm was slow on changing spid language) 4 season ac and power steering on a short fleet. When I got it the ac needed some work but it's workin now!

[Leftlane]

In the earlier years, most who wanted air opted for the $21 sliding rear window.

[HO455]

Please correct me if I am wrong but there were also under dash dealer installed units available back in the day. We had a 65 Galaxy that my dad had the dealer install when we moved to the Reno area back about 1968. I remember it was a big deal when we went to pick it up. And then after a month or so my mom wouldn't use it because "It uses too much gas". It was the only thing air conditioned that the family owned and the only time it got used is when dad drove mom's car.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by hdff

My '71's spid shows 396 which was a 402(gm was slow on changing spid language) 4 season ac and power steering on a short fleet. When I got it the ac needed some work but it's workin now!

You know if that had the heads with larger ports? The heads are 10:1 compression, while the 402 is 8.5:1. At least those are the numbers I recall.

Those are in strict terms. For all I know some 402s had the larger heads & vise versa. That and I'm all ears if someone knows better. The guy who built my engine (1993) explained this, and sold me the heads off a 396. He said my heads had been gone through & were toast. I always questioned that. There was only 99K on the truck when it threw a bearing. Sure built a great engine though. Supposedly the best in the area, I can't argue that.

[KQQL IT]

All these big block a-c trucks are awesome, my 68 wasn't a factory air but all of it added from a blazer donor.
My question is does anyone make brackets for a 7 piston sanden compressor in the factory location. Or buy the aluminum A-6 compressor. So many questions.

Sorry for the hijack

[Big Block]

Originally Posted by HO455

Please correct me if I am wrong but there were also under dash dealer installed units available back in the day. We had a 65 Galaxy that my dad had the dealer install when we moved to the Reno area back about 1968. I remember it was a big deal when we went to pick it up. And then after a month or so my mom wouldn't use it because "It uses too much gas". It was the only thing air conditioned that the family owned and the only time it got used is when dad drove mom's car.

I had a 72 3/4 ton Suburban 402 auto with factory ac. It had 4.56 rear gear. It got 7-9 mpg on the highway at 70 mph. I believe I could actually see the gas gage dropping. I can't imagine if the ac worked. The mpg probably would have dropped it at least down another 2 mpg. But at my age now I really wouldn't care. But you're right I can remember hearing it a lot back in the day people refused to use their ac because it cost to much to run it. That sounds ridiculous today.