The compact evaporator unit...
The compact evaporator unit provides A/C and heat on demand and has two vents for front-window defrost. The capped fittings (bottom of photo) are compressor and water connections.
The kit comes with a new plastic...
The kit comes with a new plastic front heater panel, a shortened glovebox, a stock vent cover, wiring, and the hardware needed to mount the unit.
Three black plastic passenger...
Three black plastic passenger compartment vents are provided in the kit along with two vents for the defrost. The duct tubes look short, but when they are stretched out, which is the correct way to install them, they are exactly the correct length to plumb the unit. New cables are also provided in the kit to control the unit using the stock heater controls.
All of the hoses you will...
All of the hoses you will need are preassembled and are designed to be used with the stock-style radiator with front-mounted condenser. If you are using a crossflow radiator, a few small changes will be necessary.
We started by mounting the...
We started by mounting the defrost vents using the stock vent mounting bolts.
The unit is a tight fit getting...
The unit is a tight fit getting it under the dash, but once it's in place it's easy to install with the hardware provided in the kit.
The bolt shown is one of the...
The bolt shown is one of the mounting points for the unit and bolts to a stock hole in the dash. Under the dash you will see a round opening where the vent should be plugged off with the plastic cap provided in the kit. We already covered it with sheetmetal from the outside, so we didn't have to use the cap.
The central vent is part of...
The central vent is part of the evaporator unit and is used as one of the other mounting points. It's also bolted to a stock hole in the dash.
The condenser is a separate...
The condenser is a separate unit that mounts to the core support. We are also mounting a heavy-duty Scott's Manufacturing fan using Wow Products aluminum fan mounts.
Three heater controls were...
Three heater controls were available in '57 Chevys: the basic two-knob unit, the deluxe control shown, and a heater/factory A/C control. Vintage Air's kit can be used with the two later control boxes. In this photo, we installed the new Vintage Air fan control to the spot where the original electric switch was located. Following the directions, we also started installing the cables.
Look closely and you can see...
Look closely and you can see how the cable end hooks over the peg in the control arm. When the arm is depressed, the cable pulls the control on the evaporator unit.
Vintage Air also supplied...
Vintage Air also supplied a new plastic control panel that replaces the old heater panel. Notice this one has A/C and heat along with defrost.
The evaporator connections...
The evaporator connections are routed through the plastic heater panel cover provided in the kit. We painted the panel turquoise to match the car and firewall. The upper and lower lines are for the A/C, and the center lines are for the heater.
This photo shows where we...
This photo shows where we ran the water control valve used to activate the heater. It's operated by one of the cables we installed previously.
The upper A/C line is preassembled...
The upper A/C line is preassembled and runs perfectly from the firewall to the compressor fitting. The fitting sizes are different, so you can't go wrong.
The other line runs from the...
The other line runs from the compressor to the condenser.
On the other side of the condenser,...
On the other side of the condenser, a hose runs to the dryer; on the other side of the dryer, a hose runs to the evaporator, completing the system. Notice the direction of the arrow on the dryer.
This view through the radio...
This view through the radio speaker opening shows the ducting running from the condenser to the defrost ducts. Clearance is tight for the windshield wiper arm that runs from the motor to the transmission tower on the passenger side.
We painted the center vent...
We painted the center vent to match the car, then screwed it into place. It's a split vent that provides air for the driver and passenger.
There are two ducts located...
There are two ducts located on the right and left sides of the car. We also painted the vent housings to match the interior color. All we have to do now is charge the system and we're ready to go. RC
Air conditioning became available in cars in the early to mid-'40s, depending upon the car manufacturer. It was available as an option in GM cars in the mid-'50s, but was very expensive, so it was generally only found in the top-of-the-line cars such as Buicks and Cadillacs. Chevy did offer air conditioning as an option in 1957, but few cars were so equipped. If you are able to find a '57 Chevy with A/C today, chances are good that the system wouldn't be in working condition, and the parts necessary to fix it would be impossible to find.
Vintage Air is well aware of the scarcity of A/C units in tri-year Chevys, so the company offers a tailor-made A/C kit for all three models: '55, '56, and '57. We ordered a kit for the '57 we've been building and found the installation easy. The kit comes with an evaporator unit, a condenser, pre-made hoses, a compressor, vents, and detailed instructions. The unit provides heating and cooling and has ducting for a window defogger. With this system, Vintage Air will keep you cool in the summer and warm you up in the winter, making it perfect for a daily driver. The best part is the compact size of the unit, which leaves room for a glove compartment. Vintage Air also designed the unit to use stock heater controls with the addition of Vintage Air's blower switch and face plate. We installed the unit in the '57 over the course of a few evenings, and it turned out terrific. We'll give you a step-by-step look at how we installed the system, and the steps taken should be very similar to the installations in '55 and '56 Chevys.