Author Topic: Adding A/C after the fact - car value implications  (Read 2561 times)

chipchambliss

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Adding A/C after the fact - car value implications
« on: August 23, 2019, 03:41:34 PM »
Was curious what everyone thought about the impact to the valuation of adding A/C to a non-factory A/C car.  I want to buy either a '67 or '68 GT500 to drive on the weekends (and I live in Texas), but I don't want to impact the investment in the vehicle dramatically if I buy a non-ac car and modify it after the fact.  Outside of running the lines through the firewall and permanently making a hole are there really any other implications I should think about?

Thanks in advance!

terlingua11

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Re: Adding A/C after the fact - car value implications
« Reply #1 on: August 23, 2019, 04:01:28 PM »
How about the enjoyment factor. If you buy the car and can't enjoy it, or it's uncomfortable to drive, why have it. If putting in air makes you drive it more and increases the enjoyment factor, who cares about what you sell it. You only live once and unless you're buying a concourse blue chip car it shouldn't matter. Buy what you like, drive it how you like. That's my 2 cents.  Did that with my 66. Did the mods that I enjoy, not what the value it will bring down the road-
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Bob Gaines

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Re: Adding A/C after the fact - car value implications
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2019, 04:40:58 PM »
I would say that as long as you make it look like a factory installation inside and under the hood on a car you drive regardless of how nice it is that it would not be a negative. Although it may not make it worth more it will enhance the sale ability of the car IMO. A concours car is a different story . Someone should not do that modification if they intend to show in concours or if they do expect a sizable deduction for the installation. Just my opinion based on what i have seen. Others may have different opinions.
Bob Gaines,Shelby Enthusiast, Shelby Collector , Shelby Concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

Bigfoot

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Re: Adding A/C after the fact - car value implications
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2019, 05:06:27 PM »
I agree with the above.
I’ve been in TX and South Florida in August when its 90 and humid and you would want AC for realz.
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stephen_becker

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Re: Adding A/C after the fact - car value implications
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2019, 05:30:04 PM »
I have an original factory in-dash system for sale

https://www.ebay.com/itm/293196686843?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649



Stephen Becker
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Don Johnston

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Re: Adding A/C after the fact - car value implications
« Reply #5 on: August 23, 2019, 05:37:31 PM »
Just curious as to those with original systems are doing about the lack of freon for refill service.  Is there a required upgrade or are there some shops that still have freon available? 8)

Rickmustang

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Re: Adding A/C after the fact - car value implications
« Reply #6 on: August 23, 2019, 07:09:34 PM »
I just replaced all the orings on my system and recharged with R12. Ice cold. Check eBay for freon
1965 G.T. 350
1967 Fairlane GT - 390 4-speed
1970 Mach 1 - 428CJ 4-speed/AC
1971 Mach 1 - 429CJ auto/AC
2005 Ford GT

FL SAAC

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Re: Adding A/C after the fact - car value implications
« Reply #7 on: August 23, 2019, 07:23:04 PM »
How about the enjoyment factor. If you buy the car and can't enjoy it, or it's uncomfortable to drive, why have it. If putting in air makes you drive it more and increases the enjoyment factor, who cares about what you sell it. You only live once and unless you're buying a concourse blue chip car it shouldn't matter. Buy what you like, drive it how you like. That's my 2 cents.  Did that with my 66. Did the mods that I enjoy, not what the value it will bring down the road-

+ 1 agreed
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FL SAAC

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Re: Adding A/C after the fact - car value implications
« Reply #8 on: August 23, 2019, 07:23:31 PM »
I would say that as long as you make it look like a factory installation inside and under the hood on a car you drive regardless of how nice it is that it would not be a negative. Although it may not make it worth more it will enhance the sale ability of the car IMO. A concours car is a different story . Someone should not do that modification if they intend to show in concours or if they do expect a sizable deduction for the installation. Just my opinion based on what i have seen. Others may have different opinions.

+ 1
Living RENT FREE in your minds...

Home of the Hertz Musketeers 

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I have all UNGOLD cars

I am certainly not a Shelby Expert

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FL SAAC

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Re: Adding A/C after the fact - car value implications
« Reply #9 on: August 23, 2019, 07:25:31 PM »
Just curious as to those with original systems are doing about the lack of freon for refill service.  Is there a required upgrade or are there some shops that still have freon available? 8)

retro fit system and change to R134 could use original compressor, but would be more efficient with a sanden compressor
Living RENT FREE in your minds...

Home of the Hertz Musketeers 

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I have all UNGOLD cars

I am certainly not a Shelby Expert

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98SVT - was 06GT

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Re: Adding A/C after the fact - car value implications
« Reply #10 on: August 23, 2019, 08:25:03 PM »
I'd get OEM in dash looking AC and add a new style compressor. Full OEM system would probably not have much impact on value. Save the firewall knockout plugs in case you ever want to go back they can be welded back in.
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Bob Gaines

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Re: Adding A/C after the fact - car value implications
« Reply #11 on: August 23, 2019, 08:47:39 PM »
I have an original factory in-dash system for sale

https://www.ebay.com/itm/293196686843?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649



Stephen Becker
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Stephen ,your ebay auction is of a 68 in dash AC system not a 67 in dash AC system which is being discussed here.  The 67 AC system has all  completely different style brackets then your 68 system all except the one lower cast iron compressor bracket  which is the same. The  indash vent register panel and control panel vent register which are the parts that you see is different on a 68 compared to a 67. Other then those things it is very similar. Best of luck on your sale.
Bob Gaines,Shelby Enthusiast, Shelby Collector , Shelby Concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

Shelby_r_b

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Re: Adding A/C after the fact - car value implications
« Reply #12 on: August 23, 2019, 10:45:12 PM »
+1 to the previous posts. And, the less drilling required, the better.  ;)
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Don Johnston

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Re: Adding A/C after the fact - car value implications
« Reply #13 on: August 23, 2019, 10:58:56 PM »
Unless the car is being restored for concours, any a/c added to a classic gets more attention with our hot summers.  I have seen classic Mustangs with a/c added getting higher  numbers and quicker sales than those without for non-concours cars. 8)

67350#1242

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Re: Adding A/C after the fact - car value implications
« Reply #14 on: August 24, 2019, 11:16:39 AM »
I am not sure with the Shelbys, but regular production Mustangs had different specs for the front coil springs when AC was ordered (and possibly rear spring rates as well).  There is fairly significant weight added to front of car with AC.  I suspect this would affect small block more than big block car as big block coils are a lot stiffer.

Years ago I swapped in a factory system into a small block 67 coupe and found a noticeable drop in the front stance as well as some degradation in handling.  I went back and swapped the front coils from the donor which corrected the problem.
Just a detail to think about when searching for a donor system.
Kurt.
« Last Edit: August 24, 2019, 11:23:16 AM by 67350#1242 »
67 GT350  SJ 02/01/67  Gray 4spd A/C
67 Coupe  SJ 11/16/66  White Auto A/C PDB