With every car today getting A/C, it seems silly to order a luxury car without A/C, but I am looking at a 1969 Riviera that doesnt seem to have A/C. Was this an option in in 69 for a Riv? I am sure that it was, but I dont remember ever seeing one without it. Thanks
Yes. It was standard equipment but could be ordered as a delete option. The same with power windows and locks. Randy, Rivman, has a '68 without A/C.
Not today. Very few folks actively look for an "AC Delete" car as a first choice. In some vehicles it's rare though, like a late 60's, early 70's Riv., High line Olds, and even Pemium Pontiacs. Today, a Riv of that vintage without AC is like a redheaded stepchild. I believe AC was standard and it had to be ordered without it. It lowered the price a bit back then,unlike today. Now "AC Delete" is an extra cost option on only a very few cars. Fast forward to the mid-late 80's. By then, AC was standard on almost all but total economy cars. I bought an 85 Ford Tempo GLX Sport 2-Door in 1990 (Ok, don't laugh too hard). It was a "High Line" car with HO motor, 5-Speed, power locks, windows, seats, cruise, premium sound, rear defrost, trip minder, premium wheels, etc. It had "all the goodies". On the way home I decided to try the AC (I just assumed that it didn't work, as usual). The car didn't even have it, it was an AC Delete car originally from Upstate New York!! Black with Red interior...:shock: Sorry for the tangent. Yes, a 69 Riv could be ordered without AC. Rare-Yes. Sought after today-No.
Yes ! - AC was definetly NOT standard on any Riviera ! It was listed as an option for any model year, and was factory installed. Here's the option info for '68s - '69s are probably similar: I5 - Automatic Climate Control AC System $499.94 I6 - Air Conditioner - Manual Controls $421.28 I7 - Heavy Duty Cooling $31.58 (Fan Drive - Thermo Control, 55 Amp. Delcotron, Heavy Duty Radiator) As mentioned previously by Matt (furiousgoat) - My '68 RIviera was ordered without AC, as per the window sticker. The car was originally sold in Montreal, Quebec (not too far from Ottawa), which is located in a northern climate where temperatures are usually cooler, and AC may only be needed 3 or 4 months out of the year. The original purchaser may have figured they could save $500 off the $6,000 purchase price of the car by not ordering AC. Wunder how many of those AC equipped cars still have working systems ? While non AC cars may be rare, I think they are probably just as desireable as AC equipped versions, but not quite as valuable ! :TU:
Standard Equipment on '68/'69 Rivieras - Super Turbine Transmission, Power Steering, Power Brakes, Dual Exhaust, Tilt Steering Wheel, Trunk Light, Courtesy Lights, Electric Clock, Deluxe Wheel Covers, Custom Padded Cushions - everything else was optional. :TU:
The neatest set up I saw was on a '65 Riv GS on e-bay a few years back. Had about 50k mile on it, with not only A/C delete, but also heater delete! Of course with it being in Hawaii, you really don't need either. Wish I had snatched that one up. Anyone know where this ended up? Jeff
Don't confuse "AC Delete" with simply not having AC as an option. If you wanted AC, you had to order it.
Good point Adam. Technically those years came without A/C until you added the option. Thanks for keeping it on the straight and narrow!! Jeff
I am thinking of purchasing the Riv, but would like to know if anyone has done an A/C add to a non A/C car. The parts list I am imagining would be 1) Compressor and bracket 2) condenser (with heater box) 3) evaporator 4) Interior switch 5) Hoses and hard lines 6) Clutch fan with shroud 7) Carb idle solenoid 8) all wiring, as I assume that these wires werent part of the wiring harness 9) Heater bypass valve ? I am sure that I am missing some things, so please fill them in the voids. I would like to do a factory install, even the wiring, but it looks like a little bit of a procedure.
Honestly, you would be better off adding Vintage Air or something like it. I read you want to stay original, but the amount of work required to add AC doesn't equal the value... only in my opinion. If the car has sentimental value, that's different. Only 3% or so of 69 Rivs came without AC, so finding another with AC isn't hard. They aren't worth very much anyway (which is why I like them) , so why waste the money?
That automatic A/C is a nightmare! It was a neat idea but the technology really wasnt there yet. Luckily only the 68 has it. My uncle knew that system inside and out when he had the car. Its confusing as hell. The amount of color coded vacuum lines is boggling to me. Even the heater control valve has vacuum lines!
