1953 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe with Factory Air Conditioning Part 2

There were a couple of things I meant to mention during the tutorial--the factory air-conditioned cars had a six-bladed radiator fan instead of the four-bladed one. Also, the '53s were furnished with an auxiliary fan belt to be installed during winter months to idle the compressor since it wasn't considered a good idea to force an air-conditioning system to keep running during below 45 degree temperatures, even if the freon was bypassing the compressor. As these cars aged, I'm sure this troublesome project was not attended to and even tho' these are tremendouly tough compressors, the fact that they turn whenever the motor is running probably doomed many of them to short life spans as the miles piled up. The compressors in '54 had a solenoid mounted on top of the compressor which connected to an external clutch. By 1955, the clutch was integrated into the pulley and the compressors would gradually evolve into the familiar A-6 unit sometime in the early 60's--arguably the best and most reliable AC compressor ever developed.

This is the first year post-war that air-conditioning was available in Cadillacs, as well as Buicks and Oldses. There is a remote possibility of AC being available in the 1941 models--I have seen vintage technical literature that shows a cut-away view of a '41 fastback with an AC system in it. Whether or not any left the factory, or if they did if any exist would be pure speculation--they would be tremendously scarce in any case. I have seen factory air units in many 1940 Packards and have seen a post card showing an AC unit in a '42 DeSoto--an auto publication reprinted a vintage classified ad from the mid-40's for a Chrysler or DeSoto with AC, so at least one must have made it out the door. It's clear that if WW II had not have happened, auto AC would have become quite common by the early 50's.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 1953
• Cadillac
• Series
• 62
• Coupe
• with
• Factory
• Air
• Conditioning
• Part

[madogblue]

How driveable are these cars today? Can you drive them at highway speeds or are they really winding out, and so non-aerodynamic that they are not good to drive over say 55?

[NDrLoR]

@madogblue Due to the age, nearly 60 years old, I wouldn't want to drive it 70-80 MPH. However, the '53 has a 3.07 final drive which gives it relaxed cruising at 60 MPH as compared to many other cars of the day with their 3.54 and higher final drives. Aerodynamics were not a significant factor in '53 beyond making a car look good. More progress was made in automobiles 1903-1953 than in the same interval 1953-2003.

[MrBBB53]

Great! Just great!! I found your video informative, thank you. I have a '53 cadi-62 series that had factory air. The compressor was missing when I bought the car. Any idea on what I can do to replace it? I would like to stay original, but that may not be possible. What advice can you offer me.

Bob

[NDrLoR]

@MrBBB53 Thanks! I've heard someone say if one of those, which is a one year only design, can even be found they are around $1,500! I have just bought a rebuilt vacuum booster/master cylinder for a '56 I have from USA Parts Supply, Ltd, which supplies all kinds of vintage Cadillac parts. Their number is 800-872-2013. I would also call Honest John's Caddy Corner in Justin, TX at 800-59Caddy. Between these two numbers, you might get on the right track. Good luck!

[Organgrinder1010]

Fascinating! In my pre-teen years I always scanned Cadillacs for the two air scoops indicating a trunk a/c unit. Never quite knew how it all came together. Thanks!

[NDrLoR]

@Organgrinder1010 Well now you do! Thanks!

[NDrLoR]

@hep2jive That's right, it's a 331! The pent-up demand after WW II was finally satisfied with warmed-over 42's. Now they had to start adding real amenities to keep customers coming. All this added a lot of stress to the electrical systems, so they went to 12 volts in Cad/Buick/Olds in '53, Chevy/Pontiac in '55, Ford/MoPar in '56 to handle the higher loads.

[hep2jive]

wow that engine is huge, thats when cars were getting complicated...great video,id love to have this car!

[NDrLoR]

@dsteveortiz My car does not have the hydraulically operated power windows as it's the lower trim level Series 62. They could have been bought as an option, but only Coupe de Villes, Fleetwoods and convertibles had power windows as standard equipment.

[dsteveortiz]

Do you have any videos showing the power window set up? Im having trouble finding out what is wrong with window set up. Thanks for your help.