74 with no AC ??
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
74 with no AC ??
I've had this 74 for about 10 years. I am pretty sure I bought it from the daughter (who did her best to let it rot on her carport) of the original owner. He had passed and was supposedly a Cardiologist in Chicago. I was able to find that it was sold new just north of Chicago, I think Mundelein, IL.
Here my curiosity. This car came with LS4 big block, auto, soft top and hard top, tan leather deluxe interior, pile carpet, PS, PB, AM FM stereo and power windows BUT NO AC! Would that have been a special order or a delete for the 74? Is it rare for a loaded car to have no factory AC? I know this isn't too valuable a car but it is just an oddball. I just can't imagine why one would get a loaded Vette with NO AC.
Here my curiosity. This car came with LS4 big block, auto, soft top and hard top, tan leather deluxe interior, pile carpet, PS, PB, AM FM stereo and power windows BUT NO AC! Would that have been a special order or a delete for the 74? Is it rare for a loaded car to have no factory AC? I know this isn't too valuable a car but it is just an oddball. I just can't imagine why one would get a loaded Vette with NO AC.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2017
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Likes: 5
It is kinda strange, but i think that AC was standard on 75 and up? only because the car was no longer about HP, but luxury by then. 74 might have been the last year either you could delete or not. will keep an eye on this one..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
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From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
A/C was still an optional item: back then a lot of cars were sold in cold areas without it. In this case 29397 out of 37,502 had A/C as an option.
Options were not packaged like they are these days and cars were built with only the options the buyer (or the dealer) wanted on them.
Options were not packaged like they are these days and cars were built with only the options the buyer (or the dealer) wanted on them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,317
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From: Ocala FL
You are talking Chicago, where it never gets really hot. It will be hot, what, 5 days out of the year?
And you have a convertible, put the top down. Besides, the AC didn't work all that well back then, unlike today where you run on low fan and still you have to crank up the temperature, especially with a canvas convertible top. To get the AC to work, you'd have to have the hardtop on and that stops those impromptu drop-the-top moments.
AC became standard equipment in 1980. Until then, it was an option you ADDED, not deleted. In 1974, it was an $467 option to add.
And you have a convertible, put the top down. Besides, the AC didn't work all that well back then, unlike today where you run on low fan and still you have to crank up the temperature, especially with a canvas convertible top. To get the AC to work, you'd have to have the hardtop on and that stops those impromptu drop-the-top moments.
AC became standard equipment in 1980. Until then, it was an option you ADDED, not deleted. In 1974, it was an $467 option to add.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Indianapolis IN
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
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WHAT??? Have you ever BEEN to Chicago in the summer? It gets hot, humid and miserable...I know, I grew up there. AC in the summer was a must-have unless you enjoyed sweating like a marathon runner on every drive. 
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
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Le Mans Master
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From: Fernandina Beach FL
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IIRC it was 1971 before 50% of Corvettes came equipped with AC.
It depends on your "frame of reference" for HOT!!
Chicago-
The hottest day of the year is July 12, with an average high of 84°F and low of 68°F
Procrastination Racing
Ocala Florida-
The hottest day of the year is July 20, with an average high of 90°F and low of 72°F
It's 84º+ from May till October....
It depends on your "frame of reference" for HOT!!
Chicago-
The hottest day of the year is July 12, with an average high of 84°F and low of 68°F
Procrastination Racing
Ocala Florida-
The hottest day of the year is July 20, with an average high of 90°F and low of 72°F
It's 84º+ from May till October....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
1980 was the first year that Air conditioning, Power Windows and Tilt-Telescopic steering column was included in the base price. Before that it was always an option.
It was not unusual for air conditioning to not be ordered on convertibles, particularly so in northern states, as illogical as it may seem today to some.
Good luck... GUSTO
It was not unusual for air conditioning to not be ordered on convertibles, particularly so in northern states, as illogical as it may seem today to some.
Good luck... GUSTO