Any interest in reproduction center A/C vent?

[Rooster's 67]

I may have made a good connection for possible reproduction of the center a/c vent. But I have to get some info on possible market.

Please take the time to vote

[brokenspoke]

Will you be making the air box behind the vent also?

[Rooster's 67]

that is the hope, for the exterior and interior pieces, may not be an "exact match" may have to source already made balls and vents but we are talking about a piece that would pass all but the most scrutinizing eye. Then again with a better idea of marketability, a true "repro" may be feasable.

[N2TRUX]

Rooster's 67- This is a great way to test the waters for a potential product. I did edit your poll to keep it with in the guidelines.

[Rooster's 67]

Ah yeah, normally not thinking is not a problem, thanks for the edit.
and we will see where this takes us.

[Clyde65]

I voted Willing to purchase since I would only want/need the vent portion, I am running aftermarket AC and would not need the box behind the dash.

[gostranger]

same situation here as clyde65

[MalibuKasey]

I Think figuring out how to get an aftermarket AC to work with the factory bezel will be interesting. Ive been looking into this cause its what I want to do.
Especially after getting an original bezel from LT1 Burb

[Rooster's 67]

That is exactly my purpose. Personally I am going to install non factory a/c but want a factory appearance. But like my dad taught me, do it right the first time. Many of the originals down here in the south have just not weathered the temp and uv rays so well. It's one of those pieces that I think would have a market, both for factory or aftermarket ax systems. Possibly offer with factory duct box or aftermarket duct box. Once again we will see where it takes us. Spending 100-200 for a broke crumbling vent just doesn't seem practical.
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[MalibuKasey]

well and you can ship your AC setup to vintage air and they will make a retro kit for it.

[Rooster's 67]

ttt

[SCOTI]

I would be interested pending final design & pricing.

[rbar]

I think a repop would be a good idea. I repaired mine with Plastex and that worked awesome, and then had the balls vacuum plated again. I plan to make a box behind it that will accept the hoses from the Vintage Air unit. Vintage air sells knobs that look close to the originals, so I am even going to install the knobs as if they were original, with original bezels. It comes with 4 knobs instead of 3, so I am going to either hide the 4th one or put it on the dash bezel like it was meant to be there. The 4 knob pod they give you can be seperated out into individuals to put where ever you want.

[aerotruk63]

Classic Industries: http://www.classicindustries.com/imp...rts/b9098.html

[Budman56]

I'm interested my vent is also broken, so when will you know if you will re pop this item?
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[dbchevy65]

Did you ever get the vents made?
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[Rooster's 67]

Unfortunately, with the limited interest, votes as to feasible price point, and the cost of design and production on a small scale. It would be a financial failure, not that I want to make any substantial monies, I would just like a quality reproduction part.
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[concretekiller]

:-/
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[Budman56]

Originally Posted by Rooster's 67

Unfortunately, with the limited interest, votes as to feasible price point, and the cost of design and production on a small scale. It would be a financial failure, not that I want to make any substantial monies, I would just like a quality reproduction part.
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Roster have you found out what the rough cost would be to start up. And have you thought about bringing on a partner or two to shares the cost? I would be interested.

[cortcomp]

Also, once you had these made, the parts houses would snap them up (LMC, brother's, etc) AS WELL as the after market AC places (vintage air, old air products, etc.)

I still bet that. while incorrect because of the center ring, repop 66 GTO ac balls would fit right in, they're $19 each.

[Budman56]

Originally Posted by cortcomp

Also, once you had these made, the parts houses would snap them up (LMC, brother's, etc) AS WELL as the after market AC places (vintage air, old air products, etc.)

I still bet that. while incorrect because of the center ring, repop 66 GTO ac balls would fit right in, they're $19 each.

Also to bring the price down the plastic vent could be made out of fiberglass. The mold would need easy to do as I used to work in a fiberglass plant. Do you have a link to those repo gto vents?

[jonathan-m]

Unless initial production costs were for some reason astronomical, I cannot see how this could be a failure market wise. This AC vent has got to be one of the most commonly sought after options for these trucks with originals going for obscene prices these days. then again, there must be some good reason none of the usual repop companies have capitalized on this particular part....

[gofastnut]

I'd cut up my perfectly so-so dash to put that beautiful center vent in and not have to have them hanging under the dash. I already voted, but count me in!
This is not trying to be offensive, cause I'm strapped for cash like everyone else, but I'll donate the innards of my piggy bank just to help with start-up.

[cortcomp]

here's the link to the 66 gto ac ball...it looks very close except it has an inner ring, which only purists would care about.

Also, since it's from a 66 gm, and it's held in the same way with tension on felt, i'd be willing to bet it's the right size, but i haven't ordered one to check, and mine are clean and repainted so with all the other work i have to do, checking this hasn't distracted me yet.


https://secure.amesperf.com/qilan/De...A&web_access=Y

[chevyrestoguy]

The trick is finding the center duct that goes between the two outlet balls. That piece is plated potmetal and would be expensive to reproduce. But....knowing GM and their clever ways, I can almost guarantee that the center vent is used on some other GM product in another application. The trick is to find out where else it was used.

GM had an uncanny ability back in the '60s to use similar parts through the different product lines, but it all looked so natural that they never looked like they were trying to save a buck by reusing it. GM had some real style back in the day.