Vintage Air Vs Classic Auto Air

A video depicting the differences between Vintage Air aftermarket auto air conditioning versus Classic Auto Air. Brief segment (end of video) on Restomod Air and Old Air Products as well. These are just my observations and experiences. This video may or may not serve as an aid in choosing which air-conditioning system is right for you. I forgot to mention in the video that Classic Auto Air has evaporator housings that aren't permanently sealed like Vintage Air has. Someday down the road the evaporator coil will need to be cleaned, with Classic Auto air its easy, with VA, its impossible.

[@snake_eyes_garage]

A couple of years late to this video but you did a great job on it. Thanks for the pointers. GSG 🙂

[@brentrish7860]

Very helpful comparing the units' basic install and functionality, install difficulty and price with a real-world opinion on "this one is bling, this one is between the fenderwell" - much appreciated!

[@Joesmusclecargarage]

I just bought a direct fit kit from Classic Auto Air for my LS swapped 67 Chevelle. So far, it’s going together perfectly, all of it tested properly, and it appears to be really good quality.

[@eliteman7685]

Hey, as far as crimping hoses, recently built hoses for my 1972 GTS and it was only $40 for the shop to crimp them. Big pain was having to drive a couple hours to the shop I have used for years in the Midwest. Of course, found a shop next town over that would have been 45 minutes round trip, save them for the next time I build hoses 😂

[@kermitefrog64]

I have a 1964 Ford pickup F250 and I am wanting to add AC and heating. This is a great comparison.

[@paulpoor202]

Thanks for the video. Trying to decide between the two.

[@eliteman7685]

One piece of advice…lighting. Harbor freight Item 56869, And hit up Menards, Walmart or Amazon for a box of 100 watt equivalent LED 5k light bulbs. Cheap way to light your garage up and pretty easy cheap and easy to install to rafters or even drywall anchors and drywall screws. I added a couple HF strip lights Item 59506 in my 12x24 and it’s nice and bright without blowing breakers lol Love the hot rod btw. Looks bitchin’

[@juliorosario2852]

Good Video. I am also in San Antonio, and I have installed a Vintage Air system in my 73 Nova. I also installed on in a 74 Stingray Corvette. I have had problems with the actuators in the Vintage air system, seems they don't last too long and its problematic. Next time, I am going to look at "Classic Auto." Thanks for the comparison review.

[@BriansGarageUSA]

I also prefer Classic to Vintage since the Classic product is typically a better/smarter design. As an example, compare the C10 condenser conversion kits.

[@flipmode9236]

Lol. Ran across this video because i was thinking of vintage air. Was surprised you hit on them because im in s.a. and was going to buy local.

[@EristiCat]

I used *Old Air Products* to put an underdash unit in my 57 Thunderbird. All the parts seemed quality. Everything went together as it should. The instructions were complete. The system cools excellently. A few years ago I put a Nostalgic Air underdash in a 60 Dodge and the plastic housing for the evap cracked due to poor design making it overstressed from the mounting. Had to fabricate reinforcing plates for it. When I called them, they were not very helpful, it would have been a complicated exchange, so I just fixed it myself.

[@iknowwhatiswhat5165]

Thanks for your insight, you’ve answered a lot of questions for me.

[@EddiesCustomsandRestorations]

This isn't pebble Beach 😂😂😂😂 that was hilarious. Good video man. Personal experience with vintage air their vents break within a year. The vents pretty much turn individuallyafter a while and dont turn together the way they should.

[@roadtrekralph311]

Thanks for the comment. Have a safe and Happy New Year.

[@simoncabron4915]

Fyi. Restomod Air is under Classic Auto Air. Just geared more to the custom side

[@jamesbehrick9588]

Probably the reason that Classic Air hoses are pre-crimped and fit is because their Perfect Fit System is built for your car. That means it was made for your car.

[@roadtrekralph311]

Good point. I need to do an update video probably a one year later video I actually found a couple more positives for Vintage Air over Classic Auto Air. One is the fan speeds. Classic Auto you're stuck with 3 speeds only. Vintage Air has a variable speed control. Sometimes I just need that very low speed between off and low. Vintage Air, I can do that; with Classic Auto Air, no can do. Also, the Classic Auto Air temp control lever is too loose. Sometimes it walks itself to the the right on its own. With Vintage Air, the temp control is tighter and stays where you set it. Lastly, the fan speed control on the Classic Auto Air is "off" at the top and switched down to turn the fans on. It should be down "off" and switched up like Vintage Air. Just a personal preference but I am used to off down, on up.

[@NDB390]

Restomod Air owns Classic Air as well. They are more for the major custom side of things.

[@Eric-wt8wr]

Thank you for insight. Trying to make decision for my 72 chevelle

[@roadtrekralph311]

Just something to consider but here is a reply I posted to another viewer, Good point. I need to do an update video probably a one year later video I actually found a couple more positives for Vintage Air over Classic Auto Air. One is the fan speeds. Classic Auto you're stuck with 3 speeds only. Vintage Air has a variable speed control. Sometimes I just need that very low speed between off and low. Vintage Air, I can do that; with Classic Auto Air, no can do. Also, the Classic Auto Air temp control lever is too loose. Sometimes it walks itself to the the right on its own. With Vintage Air, the temp control is tighter and stays where you set it. Lastly, the fan speed control on the Classic Auto Air is "off" at the top and switched down to turn the fans on. It should be down "off" and switched up like Vintage Air. Just a personal preference but I am used to off down, on up.

[@MrYz250fman]

You dont have to run the hoses inside the fender in vintage air. They give you enough hose to route them however you want.

[@AeroSS87]

Just ordered my g-body original air group kit with black powdercoated compressor. The confirmation email shows it's coming from classic air. Must be the same company? Or maybe resold under a different name. Idk, but I'm excited.

[@VintageVaughnVehiclces]

what do you do when when have a 1976 cadillac seville??? i e yet to shop around to see what to do about no working heat or ac in a beautiful 40k miles mint seville....... i found the oldsmobile 350 sanborn mounting bracket conversion and wondered why do they replace everything heater blower condensor ductwork is like tear down the whole dash kinda job is more work on a seville vs a chevy theres a ton of wireing in a cadillac

[@roadtrekralph311]

The kits I have installed are designed to replace entire factory AC units or cars that originally did not have AC. For an old Cadillac with factory components you can either try and find all the right parts to get your AC up and running (expensive). Or you can gut it all out and install one of Vintage Air's "universal" kits. As far as brackets; yes there will need to be some fabrication involved. I will say this much. The AC Compressor both these companies use are the same exact compressor made by Sanden. And the compressor brackets that these two individual companies include in their kit are the same exact brackets made by the same company (not Sanden). Thats right, Vintage Air does not build their own compressors and brackets; neither does Classic Auto Air. You may want to reach out and ask either VA or CAA if they know where you can find the brackets you need.

[@markl2913]

It would be nice if classic air would return a phone call! I still haven't been able to get any info on the VIR Eliminator Orifice block PN# 15-211-1 for my 74 Camaro. They take your money but you get NO information about these parts. I'm sorry I bought this stuff now.

[@yello4543]

Wheres the finish and installed video.

[@roadtrekralph311]

That will be coming soon. I found some more pros and cons of the two kits that I would like to share with viewers

[@travisdozier1357]

What would you recommend for a 1972 nova no ac?

[@roadtrekralph311]

I would recommend the Classic Auto Air.

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Restomod air is also part of classic auto air

[@Monaco-BuilditFixitDriveitEver]

I really like making my original parts and controllers work again.

[@m56irsul]

Who sells Classic Auto Air in San Antonio?

[@roadtrekralph311]

I bought the Classic Auto Air System from Jegs

[@jeffhartgers7284]

All I needed from classic Auto Air was the compressor cycling switch plug and wiring and they said theirs was like the original GM piece, but, what they sent me was two wires with cramped female connectors on the ends... Which would have been okay but they said it was going to look like the original plug and it didn't Plus it cost $20 for a $1.50 worth of wire and connectors... THEY RIPPED ME OFF...BIG TIME LIAR, Patrick Howard, salesman! I will now do what I told him I didn't want to do go to a salvage and cut one off of a factory car for that factory look, I will never buy from them again... All over a $20 item!

[@roadtrekralph311]

Funny you mentioned it because this is exactly what I had to do with my Vintage Air system I installed two years ago. The Vintage Air plug looks hideous, I went to a nearby salvage yard and bought the plug for a few bucks and it looked better.

[@kennys8022]

I wish it was a more installing and less talking..

[@red6503]

Did the description read installation or vs?

[@davidcastillo379]

I didn't even watch it all the way through