VintageAir VS HotRodAir

[Charlyg]

Hi all. Am looking for a good aftermarket air/heat/def unit for my '46 Ford 2dr Sedan. Would love any input from those of you who have put them in and which brand is better. Many thanks. PS,already have Sanden Compressor.

[Don Dalton]

I used the Hot Rod Air on the 34.The folks are close by and good to work with, when you have a question.The installation is compact and really works well (cold).I used the 5 vent system.The unit carries a life time no questions asked guarantee.Instructions were easy to understand and install.JMO

[SprayTech]

When I was building my 37 ford , I went with Hot Rod Air and were excellent to work with .
I ordered their heat and air 3 vent unit as it was on sale plus I ordered the small billet aluminum vents , and when I opened the box they sent the next model up with the 4 vent with defrost model , and I called them and told them I received the wrong unit and no billet vents and they said it would work in my 37 and if I wanted to keep it , they would eat the loss , and they sent the 4 vents free as they called my credit card company I used to purchase the unit and credited my account of those 3 vents ( If my memory is correct they were 30 bucks apiece ) . They sure treated me well !!!

[robot]

I think you need to look at the offerings from both companies....each has a slightly different package whereas one might fit your application better.... if you can visit a dealer and actually touch the product, it might help.

As I understand, HRA was founded by ex-Vintage employee or employees.

Vintage has a loaner case program to help determine if the model you are looking at will fit....they loan you a case with no guts for a trial fit....I bet the other guys also offer a similar deal.

Which is better? The one you have in your car that is working, of course!! A/C is so darned simple, I doubt that one is "better" than the other...however, attention to the principles is important to the performance of either brand. There was an issue of Street Rodder about a year ago about how to dork up an air conditioning system....don't remember the issue.

mike in tucson

[Charlyg]

Many thanks, guys. Charlyg.

[muncie]

I am on my second Hot Rod Air unit. Tried Vintage Air and Southern Air.

[mopar34]

I have an Airtique unit in my 34 and probably will replace it one of these days with one from HotRod Air. I have talked to those folks and they seem very helpful.

[41willys]

Hot Rod Air in the Willys. I have used both Southern and Vintage before. Only anecdotally, but in my experience with all three it seemed that HRA was the nicest and easiest to deal with.
John

[Charlyg]

Thanks again all. Sounds like a resounding vote for HRA. Charlyg.