Re: VintageAir for Lambos

Hi Aaron, My car (400GT 2+2 serial 1033) came equipped with a factory air setup. It is a Borletti (Italian) where the evaporator is an under-dash unit. Is has three blower speeds and it mounts under the glove box on the passenger side of the car. The original compressor is a mini-York/Tecumsah unit with a magnetic clutch operated by twin brushes on slip rings. The condensors are shoe-horned in the space just behind the headlights (real fun to get at!!) and are connected by a hose that runs between them behind the nose of the car. Each condensor is fitted with a small electric fan, vertically mounted, that sucks air through some vent ducting just behind the outer edges of the grill. Over the 30 years I have owned the car, the air has worked most of the time. The original rotary switch fried itself years ago and I redesigned it so I can control four speeds with three Pep Boys toggle switches. Looks cool too. The air is cold as long as you are tooling down the road at speed. If you get caught in southern California traffic during the warm months, forget it - open the windows. Recently, I had new condensors made by Peter Economoffof Santa Barbara. These are modern units with almost double the capacity of the original units but are the same size as the originals. I then ordered a modern Sanden Model 508 rotary compressor and a York adapter plate which comprise a bolt-in replacement for the original mini-York. I haven"t installed the compressor yet but when I do, I will document it and post the results. FWIW, the Sanden compressor and plate came to $260.00 from a place called OldAirProducts (oldairproducts.com). Aaron, I have some pictures of the condensors as well as the Sanden and adapter plate, if you are interested. The biggest challenge I see in aftermarket A/C for the cars is finding a place for the condensors and the evaporator. Our cars are pretty challenged when it comes to space, as you know. Best Regards, Jack Aaron A. Arnold wrote: > My brother-in-law Dan, an engineer, was recently hired on at the well > known Vintage Air, located in San Antonio. > > This fast growing company is finishing their new facility, which will > have a wind tunnel as I am told, among other hi-tech equipment. > > Dan has invited me to the grand opening which is to be in February. > I plan on attending and asking many questions, mainly how they might > fit a/c to the 400GT in an acceptable fashion. > > If the interest on this list is substantial, I will relay this on > Vintage Air. Having the spare Espada engine (and/or the 400GT) to > offer them for use in developing a "kit" for front engine V12 > Lamborghinis may be benefitial to the list (and me). > > Or has this already been done?I noticed that the 400GT and Islero > that Bobileff is offering appear to have a/c, and wonder if this was > added by him or others? > > Your thoughts? > > Aaron (#0586)