Did adding factory A/C hurt the value of the car much...

[Blakcharger440]

I am not sure if I have already asked this question but during the process of fixing up my 70 Charger RT 440 4speed car I added factory A/C to it. This meant cutting some holes in the firewall. Obviously if I wanted to change it back in the future all I would have to do is weld up the holes.

Did this hurt the cars value much? The car will be driven in the Hot Rod Power Tour and I figured why not make it comfortable for the hot summer cruises that I will be taking it on.
I know that it wasnt supposed to be a comfortable, air conditioned muscle car from the factory, but I think I just wanted some cool air when I drive.

If you saw a car like this for sale would you not buy it because of the added A/C?

By the way the car does not have its original engine or trans and probably never will

[Mean 318]

I think it depends on who is looking! I took my factory AC off but  wouldn't worry about it! I think in the end it will help the value!

[Shakey]

Keeping in mind that the car does not have its original engine....

If the factory AC was added properly, it probably increased the value.   

[PocketThunder]

Keeping in mind that the car does not have its original engine....

If the factory AC was added properly, it probably increased the value.   

  Yep.  with the original engine gone,  you just added more value to your car.  dont worry about it.

[41husk]

I would agree, not being #s matching, AC will help the value, exspecially if your selling in the summer.

[Doright]

When Im looking at a car I look for hack work, amoung other things I rarely check codes but if the work looks like a squirl did it or lives in it I run but if the work looks good and profesional im ok with it.

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

Well I would say if it was done correctly you just raised the value of your ca to the right person. I'm sure the next person will appreciate it even though it didn't come from the factory with it

[6670charger]

If it doesn't have its original engine and driveline, it doesn't matter.   The fact that it doesn't have its original engine means it's already been modified.

If the car had been all original, it only would have hurt the value if you had decided to sell it, and an investor buyer came knocking on your door.  These are the guys who aren't truly car guys, and don't buy a car to drive and enjoy.  They buy it for its vallue, hoping to flip it at some point later on and make a killer profit.  If not that reason, then they're the attention seekers who want to have "the best Charger" or "the best car" in the car show to inflate their ego.

Don't get me wrong.  There's absolutely nothing wrong with having a numbers matching car.  It must be a great feeling to have a car that has survived all these years in one piece. 

What I am saying, however, is that it's your car.  If all you're worried about is its value, then you're not really into the hobby or the car;  You're into the money.  These cars are money pits.  Accept it.  Embrace it.  We don't (most of us) buy them for their value.  We buy them to have fun with and enjoy.  Most of us will NEVER get the money we've put into them back in a sale.  If you do, you're one of the lucky few. 

If you want to put air conditioning into it to make it a more comfortable cruiser......do it!  Make it yours.  If you decide to sell it some day, then get the best price you can get for it and be happy you had it.

[Ghoste]

I agree.  Unless your car is ultra rare, you're splitting hairs worrying about about adding it.  Maybe not so if you hacked one in but if you have added a factory unit, as far as I'm concerned you made the car a better driver and that's what it's for.

[Chad L. Magee]

Most people would prefer to have air conditioning added onto their cars, so I don't think that you hurt the value.  It is your car after all, so it is better to modify it with AC so that you will want use it more in the summer.....

[MichaelRW]

Did you go with one of the new A/C kits like from Classic Auto Air? My '70 Charger has factory A/C but I wanted to enhance it's performance and replaced the factory boat anchor compressor with one of the much lighter Sanden units. I wanted to replace the A/C fan motor too for more velocity but their kits only replaced that part on non-A/C cars. Go figure.

[Blakcharger440]

I do not ever intend on selling the car as I have a couple of other mopars that would go before that one.... but down the road who knows?  I was just asking the question as I was curious.

I think I did a good job in swapping it in. I used the newer Sanden A/C compressor and mounts from Bouchillion
to upgrade to a more efficient unit and lighter.

I figured why not make it more comfortable and fast at the same time!