mtbengel

Hey all - After 55 year of waiting I finally purchased my ‘57 corvette. Mine is s stock 283, 270 hp, dual quad with a 4 speed. It has wipers, radio & a hardtop but no heater. I’ve heard mixed reviews on how effective the heaters are in this cars but I’ve owned a number of sports cars and always felt some heat on your feet is better than nothing. My question is would it be worth the expense to piece together a heating/defrost system and alternatively, is there anywhere to purchase a complete (original or reproduction) assembly? There is a complete rebuilt assembly on eBay for a ‘58-‘62 model but I don’t know the differences between the ‘56-‘57 and ‘58-‘62 assemblies. Any help/direction would be appreciated. Thx!

jrm5657

56-57 share some common parts with 58-62. The main differences will be the control valve, the cables and fan switch, and the defroster distribution box. A complete 57 original assembly is going to be quite expensive by the time you buy all of the parts you need including the defrost box, defrost outlets, cables and switch, control valve, heater core and box, air inlet flapper valve, air and defrost hoses. Probably cost at least a grand. Buy a nice heavy sweater and some wool socks, don't know where you live, but you probably won't drive it in freezing cold weather.

Dan Hampton

You could always go with a vintage air system (heater only). They are small and compact and do not cost a lot. I have the same situation with my '57 (California car) with the big block off plate. I would like heat but really wonder if I would use it, given that I don't drive it in the winter the way I did 50 years ago. I have bits and pieces of a '57 heater system but since my car is pretty much a non original car (NOM, Muncie, L 79 intake), I will probably go with the simplicity of the Vintage system if I elect to go that route.

vettepoor

My 57 has a factory heater, and I can assure you it will fry your feet if working properly! Very simple, easy to control and well worth it if you live in a cold climate. Car loves the cold air here in the Midwest, my old bones appreciate the heat!

6D2148

Some times the option "DELETE" creates more worth ("$"). Be careful what you wish for. However it's your car make it enjoyable for you!
Chip

bj1k

I wanted to make sure the heater in my 57 was working properly because even though it will be uses primarily in the summer months my wife and I go to the car cruises well into the fall months and coming home into the evenings is when my wife wants heat . I can't argue with that !

Dan Hampton

https://www.jegs.com/i/VPA/960/50610...omo=thirdparty

Here is the Vintage Heater. This is one for the Hot Rod crowd. We have used them in the building of Cobra replicas, given their compact size and limited space of the Cobra's interior.

DZAUTO

Exactly, the heater in my 56 will keep you plenty warm------------------with the hard top on. I can't say about how well it works with the soft top up because in the winter the hard top is always on.

mtbengel

Thanks all for the input! I was able to get a complete & correct ‘57 heater system from someone who is converting their ‘57 to an air-box replica. That was a bit of luck!

68hemi

You probably are not going to drive it in that cold of weather to warrant the expense. Just make sure you carry a towel in the trunk in case the inside of the windshield fogs up on you.

SWCDuke

p
The heater/defroster was not a "delete" option. It was not a part of the base equipment package from '53 to '61, but was optional...same with a radio, so it is simply a "no heater" car.

A heater/ defroster became part of the base equipment package in 1962, and at that point there was a heater delete credit option until 1969 when a defroster became mandatory under a FMVSS. A radio was added to the base equipment package sometime in the mid seventies and was accompanied by a radio delete credit option.

Duke