Can u get Air conditioning in a spyder?

I know it might sound crazy to some, but here in miami you need AC. I have had convetibles and open jeeps and AC is a must because of traffic and just plain hot days. I figure this is possible with some retro kit. Anyone have experience with this?

Thanks

Eric

eric, i have not heard of anyone trying this. keep in mind the spyder has no windows, save the screw-on side curtains. the top is not insulated and pretty drafty . however, throw enough money at it, perhaps it can be done. of course then you will want a radio, then a cigarette lighter and ashtray. before you know it your spyder will have cupholders. perhaps you should have the florida equivalent of what we northerners call a winter rat, the miami summer rat.
good luck.
p.s. with a hat and sunblock, at 55 mph, you should stay cool.hey, how about a race car type cool suit?

or......icevest
http://specmiatasuperstore.stores.yahoo.net/icevest.html

I think you will find that an air cooled Spyder has enough problem keeping itself cool.
just drive faster, wear shades and be 'COOL'

Magwa

Eric,
I've been seeing quite a few speedsters with air, so there's no question that it can be done. I don't think anyone has put air in a spyder, but there's no reason you couldn't be the first.

angela

You have not seen a Spyder with air, or towning a trailer, reasons are many. When in the humid South, put an ice pack under your hat wet down your t-shirt, but that in the freezer for 15 min and you should be good for a 2hr. drive in July in your town.

Don't know if this model has air conditioning, but it does have a trailer: http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/257956.jpg

That's Emory's outlaw 356. It towed that trailer cross several states, did a 12 hour endurance, towed home, and has continued to run/race for many many years. One badas$ little car.

Down the road here, we are going to make a trailer for the spyder. Little tear-drop aluminum job, probably 400-500 pounds. Shouldn't be a problem. When we build the 904, we are building it with a hitch already built in. Good sized WHEN on that as we don't have a 904 kit yet.

angela

Vintage says on their website's 'FAQ' area
.
"Q

Air conditioning in a Spyder? Foggeddit and buy a coupe.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I think ill be the first to put in ac,m it just wont work here because of the traffic and the heat -. I know for the purist this is hippocrasy (sorry i cant spell) but they said the same thing when I put 44" tires and a 350 in my jeep here. Then everybody wanted to do it.

When I get the spyder hopefully by feb/mar 2007, and then the ac is in there, Ill upload a video of how cool it is..literally!! Plus throw in some south beach girls sittin in the car.

Anyway, thanks for the input. and thanks for keeping this site going for guys like me looking to buy that first spyder and can ask questions.

Eric,
If you really plan on having AC in a Spyder then cut back on the engine size. The stock cooling system was designed to cool a much smaller engine (Stock 1,600 engine actually 1,584cc 69mm stroke and 85.5mm pistons)

The bigger the engine is, the more it takes to cool it properly. When you add the AC compressor, you're going to be heating up the engine even more and the limited cooling power of the stock fan may not keep your engine within proper operating temperatures.

If your really intent on having AC, maybe try a Stock 1600 or a water cooled engine may allow you to run AC without overheating the cylinders and heads.