Looks like some kind of wierd special option. It is in Phoenix Craigslist autoparts. If anybody buys this let me know, I have never seen anything like it..........
Here is the link. The air cowling around the rear package tray looks similar to the air systems I have seen in some older GM limousines including the forward air vent scoops on the top of the rear quarters. Very unusual. I am sure someone will chime in with some info on this. Ken
I remember seeing something like this setup in a Wisconsin boneyard several years ago. If I recall correctly, the major components were in the trunk, under the package tray. I do not remember what car it was in though, maybe a Cadillac.o No:
There was a '55 at the 2007 BCA National meet in Bellevue that had this same setup. All of the components are in the trunk. The air is drawn in through the exterior vents and then cooled. It travels up the plastic pipes in the rear window and then through the headliner to the vents. I believe '55 was the last year for the trunk mounted AC and then in '56 everything got small enough to fit in the engine compartment. Here are a couple of pictures.
In 53 (the first year for Buick AC) and 54 the air tubes you see in the rear window goes up to the headliner where it ties into a flat cardboard material duct that travels between the headliner and roof and has a vent over the rear seat passenger and the front seat. The hard parts to find are those cardboard material ducts that don't disintergrate when you touch them. I haven't figured out yet how to fabricate a reasonable facsimile. I have 54 Super 2 dr, 54 Roadmaster and 55 Super 4 door parts cars w/AC but still not enough parts to do one complete car. The clear plastic tubes are unique to each series and even the 2 and 4 doors are different. The units don't work all that well. The rear seat passengers would freeze while the front seat folks burned up. The fix per the maintenance bulletin is to disconnect the tube at the headliner and just let it blow brom there vs through the tube where there was apparently some blockage between the front and rear seats. In 55 they did away with the duct work running through the headliner and just let the air spill out at the top of the clear tube. I got hot onto this ad the day it was posted and have yet to get additional pictures. I am interested in buying the complete car though as I could have it shipped or go after it for probably about the same as just the shipping the air.
If your trying to work a deal I can delete my original post. I know how hard it can be trying to locate unusual parts. I know a couple of good shippers, if you land a deal. Good luck!!
Nah, no need to delete it. thanks for being considerate though. The owner is about 45 miles from the car and will be a few days before he can get pictures soooo, I'll just have to be patient. I may can use one of your shippers. I'm in NO hurry for the car so just whenever they might have a run this away. (Athens, Georgia)
