[blucille]

Agree with a lot of the above.

1-as long as the compressor clutch isn’t engaged, the clutch in the compressor simple free-wheels, no significant load on the motor.

2-I’d much rather buy a car with working AC

3-on my 83 SC I retrofitted a griffiths ac system and now I have no concerns driving on the hottest and most humid days of the summer. The added weight and load on the motor don’t really matter much.

4- on my 72 it had factory AC- long abandoned but all the bits were there. I upgraded the compressor to a modern rotary type and sourced some R12. It’s been blowing cold for 6 years now without a recharge. Running the 50 year old rubber hoses.

I see a few options.

1- remove the compressor and the belt and leave everything else in place so you can later install a rotary compressor and upgrade the lines.

2-do the upgrade now, enjoy life with AC, spend a few bucks and increase the value and enjoyment of car