Is Air Conditioning system necessary?

[Wolfgang]

I am in process of putting together wishlist for future GT40 build.
Is AC system necessary if my intent is backroad country drives, no stop/go traffic driving for me. None of my classic cars have AC.
Is it practical to remove side windows for warm weather and reinstall for cooler weather?

 

[JP Verweij]

No AC in mine. Gets hot inside in slow traffic on 77'F + days but as long as I am moving the side dash vents do ventilate enough.
On hot days in stop & go traffic I just open the door to get some extra air in & heat out.

 

[Ian Anderson]

I am in process of putting together wishlist for future GT40 build.
Is AC system necessary if my intent is backroad country drives, no stop/go traffic driving for me. None of my classic cars have AC.
Is it practical to remove side windows for warm weather and reinstall for cooler weather?

Yes

on hot days coming back from Le Mans I would drive without the drivers window.. Up to about 100mph there is not too much buffeting inside.

Ian

 

[Mike Pass]

Fit helicopter vents. They will scoop in a nice flow of air. I have ac but mostly just use the helicopter vents. They can be quickly adjusted to give the right flow of air at any speed.
Cheers
Mike

 

[Chris Kouba]

My experience was the same as JP's until I finished my install. Over ~75° it was a little warm, and if it was much warmer or very sunny, it was sauna-like. Also if you stop and get out (i.e., the cabin heat soaks), when I'd get back in, it was uncomfortably warm for an extended period if it wasn't cool out.

There were beautiful days when I wouldn't drive it because of the heat, but truth be told, I never removed my window either.

Then I finished the AC install and charged it. It was a game changer for comfort levels. I highly recommend it, especially if you're even remotely thinking of re-sale values.

I am based in Oregon, with a very mild climate. I can't imagine not having it in a hotter region.

 

[Jim Craik]

Ac for sure!

 

[Markus]

Search the forum - this topic was discussed several times e.g.

Cool on a hot day

This may have been covered before, Today was very hot, while driving my spf 40, I found that if I closed the side window vents the inside pressure from the ac fan was enough to keep the heat from the front of the tub from leaking through. Much cooler!

www.gt40s.com

Air Con: To fit or not to fit, opinions please.

Hi all I've reached a point in my Tornado build where I have to decide whether to fit A/C or not. Given the expense and extra work, and the fact that here in the UK we don't get a huge amount of hot days I'm completely undecided and need tipping one way or the other. Like most builders my...

www.gt40s.com

Cockpit Airflow

In an effort to reduce the greenhouse effect I've added a 100cfm fan to extract air from the cockpit. Sure, I could have added A/C but 80% of the time it's not necessary in my climate zone and heaven forbid I should lose those extra few horsepower. Fan and grill were sourced from...

www.gt40s.com

AC system

Hello could someone tell me what make and model of AC system is currently used ? and if you have some pictures of where the components where installed would greatly be appreciated. Thanks,

www.gt40s.com

Etc.
My two cents: You betcha!

 

[Walter Williams]

IN FLORIDA IT IS A MUST HAVE.....IN MAINE NOT SO MUCH... IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU LIVE

 

[Kev Farrington]

When I built my car I thought They didn`t have it in the original cars so I didn`t want it in mine. The only time I missed having it was at Le Mans one year. In the UK it isn`t needed and helicopter vents are a good substitute as Mike said.

 

[Walter Williams]

YOU PROBABLY WON'T BE DRIVING IT IN THE SUMMER WITHOUT AIR. ALSO YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT RESALE .

 

[Ryan L]

I will be installing it in mine when i get to that point - Melbourne Australia.

 

[Glenn M]

I had the same thoughts when building mine.... it was a 60's racecar, it doesn't have AC! Luckily, I was talked into fitting it by a good friend, I am so glad he did!
If you can keep the car in the cool before you get in and then keep driving you can do without AC. BUT... if you get stuck in traffic on a hot day, or when you get back in after it has been sitting in the sun with a hot engine, then you will rue the day you didn't fit it. It's the difference between getting out drenched in sweat and thinking it's cool.... to getting out actually cool and people not minding standing close to you!
You may not need it too often (especially in this country!) but the times you do you will be very glad that you fitted it. IMHO

 

[Kent]

A/C for sure...just finished getting mine installed.

 

[Larry L.]

I am in process of putting together wishlist for future GT40 build.
Is AC system necessary if my intent is backroad country drives, no stop/go traffic driving for me. None of my classic cars have AC.
Is it practical to remove side windows for warm weather and reinstall for cooler weather?

If you are married - or are single and have ladies in your life whom you'd like to keep in your life - yeeeeew'd better make darned sure the car has AC if they are going to be riding in it! ;-)

'Just sayin'...