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Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:04 pm

:shock:
Hey did VW ever put factory air conditioning on the beetles? Thought maybe they did on the late models like 74 and up. If not does anybody make a descent kit for this? Let me know if you could. Thanks.

Justin

Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:16 pm

Yes, they did make air conditioning. It was an accessory.

Here's a brochure showing what the A/C system for a '74 bug looked like..

And here's a page from an accessories booklet for a '65 model. This A/C system looks similar to the A/C systems used in the 60's bugs.

And yes, they are still produced in the aftermarket today from a couple of vendors that I can't name off the top of my head.

Images from thesamba archives. :ts:

Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:24 pm

Were they engine driven in the engine bay or electric in the front? Just don't ever remember seeing any.

Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:29 pm

You can get a complete kit from Mexico for about $1500. Uses r134, works beautifully. About 15 hours estimated install.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=84077

Mine came with it. I got the dryer replaced, the leak stopped, and a proper charge, it blows cold as ice.

Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:29 pm

They had a compressor that was turned by another special crank pulley. There was also a condensor that was mounted underneath the car.

These pics give a good reference of how they worked.

Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:15 pm

The 69 offered a/c as an option. Aloha Air Conditioning in Las Vegas puts in a/c in classic bugs (or any car). Saw it in a 68-69 at the local car show and it looks great. I haven't asked a price. I did keep the business card however just in case I decide to splurge next summer.

Sat Dec 01, 2012 6:37 am

ICE AC in San Diego

Gilmore in Florida

These kits are way better than the dealer-added DPD AC system in my 1970 VW, and use way less hp.

Sat Dec 01, 2012 6:11 pm

Thanks for the help on this guy's. I was looking to buy a bug for my daughter but wanted AC. Living in Arizona its a must even up here in the high country. I will probably wind up buying a kit and doing the install myself. If anybody has anything else please feel free to comment.

Thanks again.

Justin

Thu Jan 03, 2013 12:58 pm

Justin,
My 73 Super came from the factory with AC.
It still has the condensor and dryer (probably no good) but the compressor is long gone. Once I get everything else fixed, I will start hunting for a 'new" ac for this bug. South Florida is also tough with no cooling...

Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:15 pm

digitalbill wrote: Justin,
My 73 Super came from the factory with AC.

No it didn't.

No air cooled vw had factory A/C, it was fitted by the dealership at the request of the first owner.

The original systems even in perfect condition are not worth bothering with, they are just museum pieces, old inefficient technology that robbed lots of hp and didn't even work well when it was new.

Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:29 pm

Joel wrote: digitalbill wrote: Justin,
My 73 Super came from the factory with AC.

No it didn't.

No air cooled vw had factory A/C, it was fitted by the dealership at the request of the first owner.

The original systems even in perfect condition are not worth bothering with, they are just museum pieces, old inefficient technology that robbed lots of hp and didn't even work well when it was new.
I was under the impression that if the super beetle came with the slotted front apron, that means that the AC was a factory unit?

Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:31 pm

Every Super beetle sold for the North American market had a slotted front apron.

Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:42 pm

Joel wrote: The original systems even in perfect condition are not worth bothering with, they are just museum pieces, old inefficient technology that robbed lots of hp and didn't even work well when it was new.

This is correct. The modern units from Ice AC and Gilmore are said to work much better.

Correct, the Supers had slots whether the dealers were going to add AC or not. Remember, I worked at a VW dealership in 1971, saw them come off the trucks.

Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:54 pm

Well crap... Still learning.....

Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:13 pm

I had a dealer-installed a/c system on my '69 way back when. I didn't buy the car new, and i believe the original owner told me it was somewhere around $400 to have it installed.

My compressor was mounted on the driver's side (LHD). I recently sold a '73 SB with all components except the a/c compressor still mounted. I took a picture of a mounting bracket somewhere on the web and fabricated one, but sold the car before doing any more "fixing" on it. The condensor was under that slotted front apron unlike the '69 which was mounted toward the rear close to the axles.

Thu Jan 03, 2013 4:22 pm

There was a couple of different designs of mounts for the LH side.

The early ones used #4 exhaust studs and went across to the distributor clamp stud.
WIth the vibrations and belt tension a compressor needs they were pulling the stud out of the case and the engine would stop running so the later ones go to the case stud below the intake manifold.

Thu Jan 03, 2013 5:21 pm

Joel wrote: There was a couple of different designs of mounts for the LH side.

The early ones used #4 exhaust studs and went across to the distributor clamp stud.
WIth the vibrations and belt tension a compressor needs they were pulling the stud out of the case and the engine would stop running so the later ones go to the case stud below the intake manifold.

Exactly. My '70 had the dealer installed DPD AC, attached to the distributor mount stud, a one-piece mount, pain to R&R too. One day it pulled that out, I stalled, couldn't find it either. Thought it out, unscrewed a fender bolt, installed that, got me home.

I ended up ordering model mounts, two-piece that mounted to the case stud and the horizontal exhaust stud mounts, that was stronger.

I live in Arizona, and had an 1835cc engine with this, but the direct summer soon overwhelmed it a lot. But I'd guess if one had such AC in a place that got to only 90F instead of 115F, it might've worked OK.

Thu Jan 03, 2013 5:53 pm

The 73 SB I own was originally sold in Miami. It had AC. All the AC units were added at the dealer. The job meant drilling and cutting a lot of holes. Every place they drilled or cut usually rusted. They could care less if it rusted later, only wanted to get the units in. VERY inefficient. It did more harm to the Beetle than any dealer would admit. Wish it hadn't been installed on my bug!

Thu Jan 03, 2013 8:48 pm

My SB is originally from Phx too, so it had dealer air installed. I had the compressor removed years ago and left the blower/evaporator inside the cabin. I'm now in FL and I was at the Pasco Bug jam and had good discussion with Mr Gilmore. Essentially he said that the only part that is of any potential use from the original 40 yr old dealer kit is the evaporator and that is not very good anyway. If the system has been open to the air for any length of time the dryer is also toast. I have spoken to other bug owners at various shows and they are all very pleased with the Gilmore AC unit. The compressor is more efficient, and does not put the load on the engine that the orig compressor imposed. I think the kit is about $1400.

Thu Jan 03, 2013 9:01 pm

Joel wrote: Every Super beetle sold for the North American market had a slotted front apron.

Not completely true. My Canadian spec 71SB did not have the slotted apron. My current CA Spec 71SB does.