With or without A/C

Mike

Lifetime Supporter
If you were looking to purchase a GT40, how important would it be to you if the car did not have A/C? Deal breaker, would be a factor, or not at all? Thanks
 

Randy V

Moderator-Admin
Staff member
Admin
Lifetime Supporter
If the price were right - I could live without AC. But then too, I live in a climate where it's warmer inside your refrigerator for 3 months out of the year.
 
Absolutely need A/C - remember you're sitting in front of the engine and the heat will drive you out of the passenger compartment!

I would rank it second only to a roll bar which is a must when you'll driving around 40 inches above the ground with gas tanks on both sides of you, no bumpers, and only fiberglass between you and the next guy.

John

:thumbsup:
 

Jack Houpe

GT40s Supporter
In a at temps above 65 F its a must, now if there was a way to remove the windows to get more air though the cab and you might survive. :)
 

Rick Muck- Mark IV

GT40s Sponsor
Supporter
Mike,

For a road car in most climates the AC or more correctly, the lack thereof would be a real concern for most buyers. I know you are considering removing it from your chassis. I would suggest leaving the lines in the tunnel in place and capping them. That way it could be re-installed for a future purchaser.
 

Markus

SPRF40
Lifetime Supporter
I think it depends on where you live (climate)....
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You could insulate the firewall etc. (see other threads) > in a moderate climate that might work as well.<o:p></o:p>
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When you remove the AC due to originality then also any kind of heat insulation is not original as well (also consider corrosion issues).<o:p></o:p>
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I don’t know how the race car drivers back in the days managed to drive for several hours under racing conditions. <o:p></o:p>
When I drive on a hot summer day for 3 to 4 hours I’m done afterwards.<o:p></o:p>
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I only sealed the biggest gaps, no insulation on the firewall.<o:p></o:p>
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Therefore the AC is important to me due to drivability.<o:p></o:p>
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Markus<o:p></o:p>
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If it gets AT ALL WARM where you live, AC is a NECESSITY. ABSOLUTELY.

Let me just add...I drove my car in 80-90 degree weather for about two weeks before I hooked up the AC. It was borderline miserable. I opened the door at every stop sign, every light, and anytime I thought I could get away with it. On a race track, with every vent open and a cool shirt, I might consider driving without AC. But on the street...no way. And don't expect anyone to want to be around you afterwards, either.
 
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Doug S.

The protoplasm may be 72, but the spirit is 32!
Lifetime Supporter
It would be a deal-breaker for me...or perhaps an issue for discussion when the purchase price was negotiated. Those cabins can get very hot due to the amount of glass...it's like a "hot-house" in there and A/C would be a MUST for everyone except those who live in the far northern tier of states.

Just my H.O....but, take it from someone who hopes to be a buyer someday.

Cheers!

Doug
 

Ian Anderson

Lifetime Supporter
Mine does not have AC
It sets very hot in the car on a summer day in stop start traffic

I have a lot of ducted airflow and from about 25mph up it is quite comfortable

If it is a really warm and dry day I remove the drivers window and it is really comfortable drive. Up to about 85mph there is little wind buffeting

Ian
 
In my opinion A/C is a must in these cars. Remember that the metal work around the engine bay becomes a giant heat sink over time driven and that transfers to the driving compartment very nicely! Don't even think about parking in the sun and then getting in to drive away.
 

Mike

Lifetime Supporter
Thanks for all the feedback. My thoughts on A/C are clearly outside the norm which is really what I was curious about :)

Most of my driving occurs between the hours of 6am and 9am and in Colorado during summer months it is rarely above 80F at that time. I can say I have ran the A/C a handful of times just to circulate the system for a minute or two and then shut it off. I have driven my car a few times during mid-day in traffic and yes it can be warm. It just doesn't bother me enough to turn on the A/C I guess. I suppose I kind of expect to be hot, sweaty, deaf, and wore out after a nice ride up a canyon and back. I will run the blower when I encounter any stop and go traffic getting back to the barn. I do have the helicopter vents that are usually open so that does help move air through the cockpit. I suppose the kind of things I want to do to my car this winter will make some like it more and maybe others not so much. A/C is lack thereof is just one of them :)

Thanks for all the input and thoughts on the subject.
 
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