A/C prep panels

[GranSportSedan]

looking for a set of these A/C prep plates, they came on some 64-67 A Body Buicks. 

[WkillGS]

Good luck finding those! Not many were ever made (as you know).

I have a Harbor Freight bead roller that actually works pretty well. The panels would be rather easy to make.

[Rollaround]

Perhaps I've not been paying attention, I've never seen this panal before. An air conditioning blank-off plate? Would this suggest Buick/GM/Fisher built non AC bodys with AC firewalls then capped them off? Possibly inventory or vender shortages, dealer installed AC?
I've seen heater blank off plates but never this. Is this a common occurrence? Anyone else see this before?
Or, could it be that little known secretive Buick cold air induction system, porting/routing cooler air from the high pressure cowl area directly to the air cleaner; similar to the Chevelle and Camaro? 
Amazing, 53 years later and still so many questions.

[GranSportSedan]

Would this suggest Buick/GM/Fisher built non AC bodys with AC firewalls then capped them off? Possibly inventory or vender shortages, dealer installed AC?
I've seen heater blank off plates but never this. Is this a common occurrence? Anyone else see this before?

I had never seen them before until I bought the 65 pictured. I only know of one other person who is familiar with them and has a set. I'm pretty sure they were for exactly the scenario Rollaround mentioned.

I have a Harbor Freight bead roller that actually works pretty well. The panels would be rather easy to make

I agree they would be easy to make and I may go that route since I work in the HVAC field and have access to a full sheet metal shop.

I had another thought, on my first 66 Buick years ago it was also an A/C car and initially i kept the A/C intact and then later i decided i didnt like it anymore so i removed the evaporator coil and associated lines. The box on the firewall looked much better without the lines protruding from it and i was able to retain all function to the vents in the dash thius giving me vent and warm air from dash locations when desired. since this isnt a concourse type project i have the ability to color outside the lines if i so desire.  you can just see it in the attached picture. thast was my first ever buick build and i kind of went overboard a little.

[cwmcobra]

Perhaps I've not been paying attention, I've never seen this panal before. An air conditioning blank-off plate? Would this suggest Buick/GM/Fisher built non AC bodys with AC firewalls then capped them off? Possibly inventory or vender shortages, dealer installed AC?
I've seen heater blank off plates but never this. Is this a common occurrence? Anyone else see this before?
Or, could it be that little known secretive Buick cold air induction system, porting/routing cooler air from the high pressure cowl area directly to the air cleaner; similar to the Chevelle and Camaro? 
Amazing, 53 years later and still so many questions.

Kevin,

I believe that Bill Lahner's (65arcticfox) white 65GS has those panels installed.  And I've seen them in the Assembly Manual as well.  Not common, but at least somewhat documented.

 

Chuck

[dsags]

You are correct. Bill’s car does have those panels. Might have a picture somewhere.

Dan

[GranSportSedan]

Chuck,
do you recall what the assy manual calls those parts?

[cwmcobra]

No I don't and I'm away from home (and my manual), so can't look it up.  Hopefully, others can look it up and confirm.

Chuck

[Rollaround]

Now I’m curious which plant the car were built at. J

[GranSportSedan]

here's a cowl tag shot of the 65 I owned that had the plates.  looks like a flint built car

[Rollaround]

Bob, I found the panal in the assembly manual, page 397. It is called 1363777-COVER-OUTSIDE AIR HOLE.

[197064buickspec]

There are actually 4 pieces needed. Realized I only have 3 of them.

[GS66]

Bob, that cowl tag looks like it?s from Fremont.

[GranSportSedan]

Bob, that cowl tag looks like it?s from Fremont.

well i guess your right. i just saw the flint michigan stamped on the top center of the tag and assumed..lol  I may not be the brightest guy but i play one on the internet. :)

[Mark Ascher]

Bill's car underhood. The "AC prep" package also included the alternator bracket.

Mark