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Topic: How to tell if my 1969 Corvette Convertible was an A/C car?

in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems


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How to tell if my 1969 Corvette Convertible was an A/C car? (1/9)
 1/14/18 9:19am
JohnnyVette
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Paradise, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1st - 1986 Targa Top
2nd - 2004 Convertible
3rd - 1998 Convertible
Current - 1969 Convertible


Joined: 1/14/2018
Posts: 31

Hi everyone,

I just joined this amazing site so I have a lot to learn.  I just purchased a 1969 Corvette convertible and it has a Crate 350 engine so, obviously, it is not a numbers matching car.  I don't see any A/C components in the engine compartment but they could have been removed by one of the previous owners if they ever existed.

Is there a way I can determine whether, or not, my car had A/C from the factory?

Thanks so much, in advance, for any assistance you might be able to provide.  I look forward to being a member here and getting to know some of you.

Thanks again and God bless!

John
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Re: How to tell if my 1969 Corvette Convertible was an A/C car? (2/9)
 1/14/18 12:14pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

A/C cars would have several large holes in the firewall that non-A/C cars did not have. If the A/C plenum has been removed, it would be easy to determine if those holes had been covered/filled in. They would also have to change the console controls from A/C to non, to make it "look" correct. If you could post a pic of the passenger side of the firewall from the engine side we could help determine what it was. Thumbs Up

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Re: How to tell if my 1969 Corvette Convertible was an A/C car? (3/9)
 1/14/18 12:21pm
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.


Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1406

There are 2 braces under the passenger side dash and one on the driver side.  Your pax side console would have a small triangular extension down at the forward end of the console to cover the end of one of those braces. 

There were no vent knobs on the console of a/c cars.  You would have the recirc door in the pax side footwell.  No vent door in the driver side footwell. 

Also, a/c cars did not have the flow through vent system on the back bulkhead.  Just flat plates riveted in those rectangular holes.

You can see this in the assembly manual.  You should have one or get one.







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Re: How to tell if my 1969 Corvette Convertible was an A/C car? (4/9)
 1/14/18 12:49pm
73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 864

An A/C equipped car will have a center vent below the wiper-washer switch. A car without A/C will just have a blank plate there with the Corvette letters.

|UPDATED|1/14/2018 9:49:08 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: How to tell if my 1969 Corvette Convertible was an A/C car? (5/9)
 1/14/18 3:49pm
manchestersharkLifetime Member
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Equinunk, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.


Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2381

Look for the extra belt pulley, or removal of bolts in exhaust manifold where mounting bracket was.

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Re: How to tell if my 1969 Corvette Convertible was an A/C car? (6/9)
 1/14/18 9:22pm
JohnnyVette
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Paradise, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1st - 1986 Targa Top
2nd - 2004 Convertible
3rd - 1998 Convertible
Current - 1969 Convertible


Joined: 1/14/2018
Posts: 31

Thank you VERY much,

I was out running all day today but I will follow up and take a couple of shots of the passenger side firewall in the engine bay.  I'm already loving this site!  Thanks for taking the time to try and help me.  God bless!

John 
Re: How to tell if my 1969 Corvette Convertible was an A/C car? (7/9)
 1/14/18 9:26pm
JohnnyVette
Standard Member
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Paradise, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1st - 1986 Targa Top
2nd - 2004 Convertible
3rd - 1998 Convertible
Current - 1969 Convertible


Joined: 1/14/2018
Posts: 31

Wow!  Awesome reply my friend!  Thanks so much for taking so much time to help!  I was running errands all day today and just had a chance to review your incredible comments.  I'll try to take a look at my car in the next couple of days to compare with your photos.  VERY helpful.  Thanks so much again!

John 
Re: How to tell if my 1969 Corvette Convertible was an A/C car? (8/9)
 1/14/18 9:28pm
JohnnyVette
Standard Member
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Paradise, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1st - 1986 Targa Top
2nd - 2004 Convertible
3rd - 1998 Convertible
Current - 1969 Convertible


Joined: 1/14/2018
Posts: 31

Thanks so much for your assistance!  I ran errands all day today and just got your reply.  I'll take a look at my car in the next day, or so, to compare it to your notes.

Thanks again for your help.  I seriously appreciate it!!

John 
Re: How to tell if my 1969 Corvette Convertible was an A/C car? (9/9)
 1/14/18 9:30pm
JohnnyVette
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Paradise, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1st - 1986 Targa Top
2nd - 2004 Convertible
3rd - 1998 Convertible
Current - 1969 Convertible


Joined: 1/14/2018
Posts: 31

Great advice!  However, my car has had a newer Crate engine installed and it has headers.  Therefore, I'm not sure how much they have changed this car beyond that.

Thanks for taking the time to help!  I really appreciate you!

John 
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