> Hugh wrote : > It may be possible to determine the original equipment from the builders > plate, too, although I know very little about that. The 1958 option codes on the dataplate, for the heating system, according to the info I've collected (thanks to Philippe Courant), are : 341 : Air conditioner and heater 342 : Deluxe Dual air conditioner and heater (but does "dual" mean "front + rear" ?) 345 : Custom conditionaire heater 347 : Instant heater. Fr�d�ric 1958 sedan ------- Message d'origine -------� De: Hugh & Therese <hugtrees@xxxxxxxx>� Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2003 08:12:55 -0600� Sujet: Re: IML: 58 Imperial A/C myth� You wrote: > Seems like we have misunderstood the hierarchy of A/C installations on > these cars. Both of my acquisitions have front A/C only, leading me to > believe that the rear A/C was the add on for the dual system. > > Ernie > 58 Crown > 58 LeBaron Southampton It has been suggested that the standard way for these cars to have A/C was rear only. I think there are some folks out there whose cars are this way. Many, more than you'd think, even in 'hot' states like California and Texas, had no A/C at all. According to the suggestion, one could upgrade the system with the addition of front A/C. My question to you is are both your vehicles identically equipped? There is always the question of dealer installed systems being added later on. It may be possible to determine the original equipment from the builders plate, too, although I know very little about that. The idea that rear only A/C was the standard way for these cars to be fitted with A/C does seem strange. My own car has both front and rear A/C, although neither works. I am reminded of the quote regarding its efficacy by the always humorous Tom McCahill. "It would blue the lips of an Eskimo blubber collector parked inside a blast furnace." Hugh