Way OT classic car question

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ryanwheelock

Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

I've always wondered what the round tube looking thing is that looks like it mounts in the window. Some type of fan cooler thing before AC? Seen on cars in 40s and 50s.
Thanks
Ryan
Tried to upload a photo I had but had problems with it.

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

That'a swamp cooler. An early form of air conditioning.

 

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Mike (WA)

Well-known Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

Its the automotive equivalent of a "swamp cooler"- cools the air coming in by evaporating water around the air inlet. Works pretty good in the desert where humidity is low, but not at all in humid weather (because the wet air won't evaporate the water to cool it).

Just went to the National Hudson Convention in Spokane, WA, and a guy from New Mexico drove his Hudson up, with one of those in the window, and a canvas water bag on the front bumper (same principal- keeps water cool because the bag stays moist and evaporates from the outside). He said both worked pretty well, and he felt like it was the '50's all over again.

 

S

Spook

Well-known Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

My grandfather used one of those in the early 60's. In Arizona.

 

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Billy Shafer

Well-known Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

Works pretty good. Until you stop the car.

 

OP

OP

R

ryanwheelock

Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

Thanks guys. Thats what I thought. Been restoring my 1940 Plymouth and have seen pics with them in the window.
Thanks again
Ryan

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

Don't work very well in the mid-west with high humidity. We used the 4-60 method.

 

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James Howell

Well-known Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

All we had was a truck with a 2-60.

 

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Billy Shafer

Well-known Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

James Our old chevy trucks had 4-60. Windows down and vent doors kicked open.

 

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just another old geezer

Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

.... And a dog hanging his head out the window no doubt....

 

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greenbeanman in Kansas

Well-known Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

Depending upon the truck the side window wings opened too.

Some of the older Chevrolet trucks, I think 1947 and earlier, had windshields that cranked forward at the bottom allowing a couple of inches of air space to provide fresh air. They helped during July wheat harvest.

 

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greenbeanman in Kansas

Well-known Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

Wikipedia has an article on them with photo.
Car window evaporative cooler.

 

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greenbeanman in Kansas

Well-known Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

Just found out that reproductions are available for the retro look.
Reproductions available here.

 

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Billy Shafer

Well-known Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

No dog just my little brother. Used to hang out side all the time. Until he got hit by a bird.

 

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Nancy Howell

Well-known Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

Interesting. I"ve never seen one of those.

 

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Mike (WA)

Well-known Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

I got nailed by a bumblebee- sure broke me of hanging out the window. It was kind of like a "turbo injection"- I swelled up like a poisoned pup.

 

D

DownSouth

Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

Ryan,
Growing up in So. Cal I used to see them all the time on the Beetles. Being an air cooled engine, air condioning was a premium.

Of course it wasn't all that uncommon to see them on water cooled vehicles either.

This one is what I recall my dad had in his 59 Ranchero. It mounted under the dash, you flopped open the drawer and poured in cold water and ice. Really worked good too, at least until the water got warm.....then it was just a heater.

Of course for your restoration use, the window mount "Bee Catcher" (yes, that's really what they were called) would be an nice addition.
Good luck with your project!

 

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37 chief

Well-known Member

• Sep 22, 2010

• #1

I thought they were JATO bottles for fast take off. Just kiding. back in the 50's Dad's car had the 4-50 air conditioner. four windows down, and 50 mi an hr. Stan

 

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James Howell

Well-known Member

• Sep 23, 2010

• #1

Now that you mention it, some of the early trucks had a vent between the windshield wipers behind the hood.

Years ago also owned a couple of Corvettes that had a vent in front of the windshield.