ClassicCar

Pacemaker500

We took "Hannah Hudson, the Detroit Doll" (our '50 Pacemaker Deluxe) to her first car show yesterday. I did not like driving with the temp gauge that high but as y'all said "If it ain't steaming over, you're OK."

It was 95 and sunny out with heat index at 100.

How does one stay cool in these cars with it so hot? I soaked two shirts on this trip, short 100 mile round trip.

PAULARGETYPE

THIS IS WHAT BI USE IN MY PACEMAKER THEY MOUNT ON THE VENT WINDOW AND DRIVE A COOL SHAFT OF AIR DOWN TO THE FLOOR THIS WAS A HUDSON OPTION BACK IN THE 50'S AND KEEP YOUR COWL VENT OPEN AND ALL THE WINDOWS THEY COME IN DIFFERENT COLORS TO MATCH YOUR CAR ALSO COOL IS A STATE OF MIND WHEN DRIVING A HUDSON A PAIR OF SHADES AND A STRAW HAT HELP TOO LOL

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GREEN-BREEZIES-VENT-WINGS-WIND-DEFLECTORS-classic-40s-50s-item-/251141800697?fits=Make:Hudson&hash=item3a7937c2f9&item=251141800697&pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

middletom

Whenwe went to Gettysburg in our Pacemaker, the weather was very hot but I found that with the side window down and the wing window turned out 90degrees to the side I could get a pretty good breeze through the car so I sweated through only one shirt. My experience with that kind of weather is that there really is no way to stay "cool" in a Pacemaker.

middletom

J Spencer

Welcome to what it was like in the "olden days' I guess that is why people got up early AM to get started on a long trip. Not always possible though. I have a 51 Pacemaker so I know. I have the windshield and side window visors on mine and that helps thwart the direct sun some. I just try to get the mindset that that's the way it was.

Tallent R

Folks also drove at night alot ,
Roger

Pacemaker500

So, what are 6-volt A/C options? Is there a trunk version?

Tallent R

Yes they are around , I sold one at the national meet in Oklaholma city. Or I should say traded one . It came out of a 54 chevy and was going into a 54 Hudson Hornet. They sit over the rear axle out of the way and blow up thru the parcel shelf. Had two six volt blower motors one on each side,
Roger

RL Chilton

Pacemaker500-

LOL! I can relate. I live in South Texas. Last year, we had over 60 consecutive days over 100-degrees. When I drove my Hornet to OKC, it was 111-degrees when I crossed the Texas/OK. line. I installed AC in the car, but my AC mechanic did me a number and didn't charge the system properly, so I had to make the trip WITHOUT AC. I kept switching wet bandanas out of the ice chest and wrapping them around my neck. Like Paul said, windows down, cowl vent open, visors and sunshades are helpful. These days you can tint your windows.

When your car was new, no one had AC. People were used to it. Also drove early or late or at night as mentioned above. These days we are spoiled. I grew up without AC, but not sure I could do it anymore . . . I'm spoiled, too.

Another thing you can do, is pull up your carpet, and make sure you have some decent insulation in your car to keep the engine heat out of the cabin. Helps a lot.

Sometimes they used "swamp-coolers" like Paul mentioned. Here's an early example:

Geoff C., N.Z.

Hey you guys, try driving a "vintage" model. My 1928 Essex you can open the front windshield, the cowl vent, and all the windows. Keeps you real cool until you run into a swarm of bees!

onerare39

Pacemaker 500

I think the Breezies work really well, I have them on each of my Hudsons. I have heard that the swamp coolers don't work as well in high humidity.

John

RL Chilton

John-

It's one of those, "it's better than nothin' " propositions. It's still a swamp cooler, not AC. The only thing that truly works in high humidity is goin' somewhere's else, or installin' the high-faluttin' AC!

walts garage-53 · walts garage-53 September 2012 Posts: 1,470Platinum Member

Walt here; I have Vintage air and the first trip I took it keep freezing up and blowing water out the vents. Made the trip, no air and sweat. When we got home and went in the new car to shop, I noticed when I turned the air on, the vent dial went 3/4 closed, that lite a light in my head. Next day I took the Hudson for a run, turned the air on and opened the cowl vent just enough to feel air coming in with temp set to off. The air now works perfect in this arrangement. Keeps the inside temp at my setting of 60 degrees. Made Oklahoma City in 113 weather and never had a problem. With air it has to blend with outside air.

54SuperWasp

Thanks Walt. I don't have air for now but, if I ever put AC in my 54, I will remember this tip! Michel

Pacemaker500

Vintage Air -OK. Does one have to go to 12v for this?

walts garage-53 · walts garage-53 September 2012 Posts: 1,470Platinum Member

To answer that question, phone Vintage Air at 800-TO-COOL-U Walt.

stepdown

Vintage air sound good to me...Went on line and there must be a hundred model, I guess you need to know your way around with that type of thing...Walt Any help with model for my 54 hornet ...In the winter I'm looking forward to the warm weather and once it comes I'm looking for cooler weather . Go figure..

Pacemaker500

Jason at Vintage Air states they have good knowledge of the Hudson line and can work with an owner to fit their product into a Hudson. :)

MUST convert to to 12-volt to make it happen.

Tallent R

There are still 6volt units around if you look .They go in the trunk ,I still have one trunk mount unit in stock but the blowers are 12 volt.You would have to to replace the blowers. ,Gm used them ,Pakard and Chrysler also. You could go with a 6volt alternator also if you lack the power to run it,
Roger

brumac

Hi Stepdown,
I installed a Vintage Air system into my Hornet Special this last spring and may be able to answer your questions, either here or as a PM. Just let me know. Yes, it was worth the time and effort.
Bruce

Pacemaker500

Tallent R (Roger), How do they "hook up" as A/C? Do lines run under the car all the way to the engine bay to attach to the compressor? Also, what is the price of the unit you have? More for understanding what I am getting into but if is available when I have the money.........

BTW, I bought a part from you at National. And I asked about a wheel for my Pacemaker. You did not have any with you. I need one because the whee that is my spare is bent according to the guys who mounted the tires and tried to balance them all.

Aaron D. IL

With my '50 P putting insulation on the floor boards worked. The manual said to close the side windows and open the cowl vent and wing windows which I found worked on my way to Nashville when the heat index was 120 degrees.....as long as I was moving 70 mph... then I didn't sweat.... come to a stop light though and then it got uncomfortable quick and I seriously considered blowing stop signs. Also might want to take steps to make sure your engine is running as cool as it can.

Tallent R

Pacemaker500: the lines were run under the car from front to back on little stand off's with rubber insulators to hold the lines .Metal lines with hoses at each end.
Yeah I only brought a couple wheels to Getty ,and sold the Stepdown one right away. I have plenty here in the warehouse . They would be $10 -$15 depending plus postage. Im leaving on a trip to pick up some Hudson parts in the morning. Will be on the road for a few days but can get you one soon as I return.
Oh , and the A/C unit would sell for about $350.00 as a kit ,has compressor ,condensor ,and trunk mounted evaporator with vents for parcel shelf. All in used and unknown condition ,
Roger

duncan

Hi Roger Is your ac especialy for Hudson or any make of car. Ray

Pacemaker500

Aaron: I will be getting DynaMat in 3/8" for my floor. I have already put down the sticky-backed heat shield. I had the cowl vent open and all the windows open. I will experiment with various combinations. I may pay a local car upholstery shop to drop the head liner and install the sticky-backed heat shield when the clean my head-liner. That would give me a chance to run new wires to the trunk as well.

Roger: Let me know when you get back and we will work out getting a wheel shipped to me here in Metro DC. I want to have a functional spare I can actually use.

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