Looking to Buy Vintage Air for 1965 Skylark

Discussion in 'The Big Chill' started by photobugz, Dec 18, 2012.

  1. photobugz

    photobugz 1965 Skylark

    Has anyone shopped these and know where to get the best price ?


    Jeff ~
     
    photobugz, Dec 18, 2012
    #1
  2. elagache

    elagache Platinum Level Contributor

    Try shopping around. (Re: Looking to Buy Vintage Air for 1965 Skylark)

    Hi Jeff and V-8 Buick fans of cool 65's! :cool:

    Because Jim Weise needed the compressor to make the bracket for my assertive trusty wagon engine, Jim ended up getting it from a local (to him) Vintage Air dealer. At the time, I think Summit looked as good as anyone, but Jim's contact did better still as I recall.

    You might try contacting various Vintage Air dealers, starting with one's in your area and see what they say. You could use the Summit price as a bargaining chip and see what happens. As we all know the economy is bad and this is definitely a luxury item, so I would suspect people will be willing to deal. Your timing is certainly impeccable. With the exception of a few Christmas gifts, air conditioner sales must be as slow as it gets. If you wait until after Christmas, these dealers will be even more desperate.

    Best of luck on your Vintage Air install!! :TU: Do keep us posted on your progress - I'll do the same.

    Cheers, Edouard :beer
     
    elagache, Dec 18, 2012
    #2
  3. roadrunnernz

    roadrunnernz Gold Level Contributor

    Certainly don't buy direct from Vintage Air. The Oregon dealer I used took 10% off the factory prices and charged part of the freight.
    They then put me on to a local who did the full install for $25 hour. Grants Pass/Medford area. Let me know if you don't have any luck up your way.

    Guess I might as well add lessons learned. DONT buy the Vintage Air Nailhead AC bracket, its probably designed for a Riviera and was way to tall for a Wildcat.
    Instead, get hold of the original Buick brackets, then order the matching VA 'GM' compressor. We got everything in but ...
     
    roadrunnernz, Dec 18, 2012
    #3
  4. elagache

    elagache Platinum Level Contributor

    Will other compressors work? (Re: Looking to Buy Vintage Air for 1965 Skylark)

    Dear Jeff, roadrunnernz, and V-8 Buick fans of the 65 vintage,

    Of course it will depend on which engine you are trying to fit the compressor to. However, the only technique I've heard to use Vintage Air is to adapt your engine to work with their Sanden compressors (usually meaning custom fabricate a bracket as Jim Weise did for me.)

    I've asked before, does anybody know if you can power the Vintage Air system with an alternative compressor?

    I wouldn't try it unless you have heard that someone succeeded with this scheme.

    Cheers, Edouard :beer
     
    elagache, Dec 18, 2012
    #4

Share This Page