Air conditioning

I am interested in purchasing a new speedster. Vintage, JPS, and been requesting info from Intermeccanica. I want to make the speedster a regular everyday car if possible. Air conditioning is going to be very important for this purchase.

Do any of you know, if I purchase a pre-owned speedster, how difficult or expensive is it to install the air conditioning into one that has already been built? I would like a 1776 engine, prefer 2110.

Any suggestion or ideas.

Thanks!

I'm pretty sure it could be done and probably with not much difficulty because the refrigerant lines to the underdash unit could be tucked under the left side of the body. The only problem with the compressor unit is that it'll seriously limit your engine compartment maneuvering space. From what I've read, changing your #3 & #4 spark plugs becomes a nightmare.

Thanks Ricardo. I always hope to read a comment from you. Thank you! I will look into that. I personally would not do it myself, but I would take it in to Vintage or to JPS, both places are local to me. Im am considering purchasing a pre-owned speedster vs. new. I think theres a guy selling his, which looks nice, black ext., tan inter. I would like to install have AC.

Do you know if roll up windows can be installed, like Henry does in Intermeccanica?

Jose, I don't think that either Vintage or JPS offers wind up windows on their Speedsters. John's coupe will of course have them and might be a better choice if you want them and A/C. I have wind up windows in my Cabriolet that are actuated by a micro switch in the winder handle. This is a product of Hotronics and would be familiar to the street rod guys.

I should point out, however, trying to retrofit glass windows and the mechanism to raise and lower them would not be a very easy task. It is best if they are already designed into the car from the get go. I observed what my builder went through to design, install and adjust them to work correctly and to keep the weather out. Better him than me ;-)

I had a Vintage with air and ultimately took it out for the reasons that Ricardo mentioned. My feeling was that when it's nice enough to drive top down, I didn't need it and when it was cool enough to put the top up I didn't need it then either, so it worked for me. FWIW, the air did put out plenty of cold air when I tried it.

Agree that side curtains and A/C seem to be an oxymoron. So go with the taller "D" windshield and wind up windows if AC is a must. The normal Speedster short top and side curtains hamper visibility so you'd probably not want to drive with top up unless raining. Also if you are buying new - you might want to look at Subaru power which nicely handles AC. AC and air cooled engines is kind of asking for problems IMHO.

I haven't had a chance to go see John @ JPS, to see what we can work on yet. Work has me locked up in the office.
But visibility is key. I want to make it in to regular driver, and driving with the top up and the side curtains, I personally do not like, specially in the Los Angeles Traffic. John, I really like how your doors look with the power windows. That would be great to have. I just personaly do not want to work on it. I just want the keys and drive the speedster. I guess the AC is not as important in the California weather and in Santa Barbara I would only drive it with the top down.
Thanks for the input guys.
Jose

Jose; thanks for your kind comments. If visibility is important to you maybe you'd be better off getting a Cabriolet or a Convertible D. Both have larger glass areas front and back so visibility is improved as compared to a Speedster.

i took a ride in a VS with A/C and the zipper windows. the A/C was really effective and had no problem keeping us cool in miami's heat. very doable, in my opinion.
visibility is horrible, but it's a fair trade for the awesome speedster styling top up or top down.
i'm looking for a VS with A/C installed to buy it.

I have Intermeccanica for sale. 1835 cc with kardon dual carb. dual exhuast with bucket seat. needs little cosmetic work and detail. it got new black canvas top and cover.

Car looks great Orio, but I live in California. I do not know what type of problems your facing with registering? I personally do not have the time to spend long hours at the DMV. Thats why I want to purchase one that in ready to hit the road and have some fun with.

Thank you!