1969 Astro-Ventilation?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 845
Likes: 12
From: LAKE BARRINGTON IL
1969 Astro-Ventilation?
Hi all!
How does this thing work?
i have a 69 convert...I see the grills in the rear cargo area...and openings in the kickpanels...but dont really get it...
anyone understand this?
thanks,
Ron
How does this thing work?
i have a 69 convert...I see the grills in the rear cargo area...and openings in the kickpanels...but dont really get it...
anyone understand this?
thanks,
Ron
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Here's the best information I have about it-
I've completely eliminated mine since I am going w/ Vintage Air...
Plus it was only on non-AC cars...even though they had the script on the windows.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ntilation.html
By fellow forum member-"hunt4cleanair"
"Astro Ventilation was introduced in 1968 as a flow through of fresh air symbolized with a single pane of side glass, eliminating the side vent window that had characterized automotive manufacturing, including the first two Corvette generations. In 1969, the side glass sported white script letters at the front end of the window used into the 1975 model year. The transition from Astro Ventilation glass began in 1975 so some early models are equipped with the Astro glass until the supply was exhausted…same with convertible glass. It’s also reported that late 1974 built cars were equipped with 1975 glass and therefore may not have the Astro script.
Astro Ventilation incorporated vents at the front end of the cabin with vents at the rear deck just behind the rear window. Air flows from the cowl, collecting in the plenum, flowing through both dash vents (ventilation *****) and the kick panel vents, flowing through the cabin, moving through the cabin out through the rear deck vents."
I've completely eliminated mine since I am going w/ Vintage Air...
Plus it was only on non-AC cars...even though they had the script on the windows.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ntilation.html
By fellow forum member-"hunt4cleanair"
"Astro Ventilation was introduced in 1968 as a flow through of fresh air symbolized with a single pane of side glass, eliminating the side vent window that had characterized automotive manufacturing, including the first two Corvette generations. In 1969, the side glass sported white script letters at the front end of the window used into the 1975 model year. The transition from Astro Ventilation glass began in 1975 so some early models are equipped with the Astro glass until the supply was exhausted…same with convertible glass. It’s also reported that late 1974 built cars were equipped with 1975 glass and therefore may not have the Astro script.
Astro Ventilation incorporated vents at the front end of the cabin with vents at the rear deck just behind the rear window. Air flows from the cowl, collecting in the plenum, flowing through both dash vents (ventilation *****) and the kick panel vents, flowing through the cabin, moving through the cabin out through the rear deck vents."
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi f,
The Astro Ventilation system was designed to allow fresh air to move through the interior with the windows closed as Richard described.
The thumb wheel on the heater/defroster controller for Hot/Cold controls a small vacuum pot on the 'astro' doors on the rear bulkhead of convertibles and under the rear deck on coupes. The pot is vacuum controlled.
Whenever the thumb wheel is set on 'C' the doors are open and air flows through the interior. When the thumb wheel is rotated to 'H' the 'astro' doors close so the car's interior will warm up.
Actually pretty simple, but became rather obsolete as more and more cars had a/c.
Cars with a/c had the grills and fiberglass plenums but had metal block-off plates instead of the doors.
Regards,
Alan
The Astro Ventilation system was designed to allow fresh air to move through the interior with the windows closed as Richard described.
The thumb wheel on the heater/defroster controller for Hot/Cold controls a small vacuum pot on the 'astro' doors on the rear bulkhead of convertibles and under the rear deck on coupes. The pot is vacuum controlled.
Whenever the thumb wheel is set on 'C' the doors are open and air flows through the interior. When the thumb wheel is rotated to 'H' the 'astro' doors close so the car's interior will warm up.
Actually pretty simple, but became rather obsolete as more and more cars had a/c.
Cars with a/c had the grills and fiberglass plenums but had metal block-off plates instead of the doors.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jan 31, 2015 at 02:55 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
FWIW: Astro-Ventilation was a trade name developed by GM for the fresh air system introduced with the 1968 model year. It was used on several GM models (Camaro, Impala, etc.) in addition to Corvette.
It seemed to work a bit better on the three 68 Impalas I owned than it does in my 68 Corvette.
Try Googling the 1968 Corvette sales brochure. IIRC, the 68 material has a color graphic showing how Astro-Ventilation was supposed to work.
It seemed to work a bit better on the three 68 Impalas I owned than it does in my 68 Corvette.
Try Googling the 1968 Corvette sales brochure. IIRC, the 68 material has a color graphic showing how Astro-Ventilation was supposed to work.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Feb 1, 2015 at 10:31 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Cool. I always wondered about that. Shame they didn't have it on the A/C cars, I know on my 79 it really needs a direct vent to the outside. When you put it on the vent setting it sucks warm air from the engine compartment or heater core or something and the vent setting is useless if its over 50 degrees F outside as it blows nothing but hot air.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi P,
The problem with the Astro Ventilation is that it's a 'passive' system. There's no fan or blower involved.
So you have no air flow if the car is standing still, and not even too noticeable an amount of flow at highway speeds.
It sounded good in the advertising and people liked the exterior appearance with the lack of vent windows…..if they weren't smokers.
Regards,
Alan
The problem with the Astro Ventilation is that it's a 'passive' system. There's no fan or blower involved.
So you have no air flow if the car is standing still, and not even too noticeable an amount of flow at highway speeds.
It sounded good in the advertising and people liked the exterior appearance with the lack of vent windows…..if they weren't smokers.
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
My Eagle has cable operated vents that don't have a fan and they are far nicer and more useful than the "vent" position on my 79 at any fan speed. It just blows nothing but hot air unless its quite cool outside. In the Eagle it might be 80 in the car and 70 outside and just opening the vents will cool off the car.
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