(this is my first post, so please be gentle)
I have a newly purchased '68 el Camino Custom, 307 w/PG and no AC. Central Texas summers can be brutally humid and hot. I expect AC installation will cost ~$2k (?) and would appreciate any practical leads to assist my endeavor. This (CA) vehicle has 81k original miles with mint interior and bed. Preservation is critical, but comfort for me and my daughter is a higher priority. Thanks.

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Hi Madaboutabba, There are a couple of companies that sell AC kits that are designed to fit non-AC cars. Vintage Air (www.vintageair.com )is one of them. I believe these usually do not require that you modify the car as they are usually "bolt in". The kits generally run around $1K. Can you do any of the work yourself? Doing the work yourself will keep the cost low. You will still need to have the system charged with R134 when it is completed, but I imagine the total cost should remain pretty close to around $1100 or so. I will be using one of these systems in the future for my '66.

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Tom Wood
Gold Member #66
502 Powered '66 SS

Some pictures of my '66 under construction;
http://people.ne.mediaone.net/tkmwood55/photos.htm

Dittos, on the Vintage air setup. Check out their SureFit Series for your car. I put one in my non A/C 69 and am very pleased with the results. E-mail me if you want some specifics. I did most of the install,but had someone else charge it and hook up the controls (PITA).

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TC #364
Aces #4309
Jeff's 69 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/daytonajeff1.jpg)

i installed an under-dash unit from Old-air in Ft.Worth, it's a very simple install and all compact, works great on my full cab 70 chevelle. it's pretty self-contained which is what i wanted,(i didn't want to tear out anything in the car or replace controls, etc. etc. check my page below for pics of install etc. cost is $725 for kit plus what ever pullies you'll need,

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1970 SS396 AKA 454/4spd
My Chev-Hell Page (http://hometown.aol.com/jnkb2cool/home.html)
GOLD Member #783
Ft.Worth, Tx
(OO=ss=OO)