Electric A/C and value of “stock” for non-marquees
 

Trying to work out whether I should upgrade my A/C with Griffiths or replace it with Classic Retrofit (electric AC)? The former is a kick-ass manicure, the latter is a whole new robo-finger. Today, the market clearly likes the period look of the former. That carries with it some option value for strong condition stock cars (at the expense of weight where it’d be best that it ain’t). Would love help trying to quantify that before I lop the finger and go electric?

I do feel like this is the witching hour for internal combustion cars, which is changing my bent on these types of questions (early in my ownership of a low mile, stock car I might add). In my lifetime, we likely won’t be able to daily them (or Sunday them?) and, with the exception of the marquees, these aren’t objects of art (read, stores of value). It’s another question altogether whether the Tik-Tok generation will covet my humble little stock 911SC of low mileage and my ownership isn’t doing much for the provenance (yet).

“Driving it like you stole it” has added meaning if it’s the future generations you might be pinching it from.

I would care more about the AC performance. The electric may do Ok in Chicago. But anywhere South it's not going to do the job. And the cost of switching to that system doesn't make sense.
I put a Classic Auto Air kit in mine, similar to Griffiths, and it will freeze your wife out of the car.

As for our dying petrol powered cars... HA! 40+ years, not 15, before that happens and I'll be dead by then.

Is this a fact that the Classic retrofit air will not do a good job in the south? Even with a second condenser?

My sense is that each owner has their creed, Nathanbs. There’s a gentleman on here called Duc Hunter that has both systems and has written extensively on it. His conclusion, based on his experience in Florida, is that the Classic Retrofit System works best if ‘period look’ isn’t a concern. Classic does cost more in parts, but is apparently less labor intensive (if paying a shop to install).

Beyond performance attributes, which are hotly debated (pun intended), it’s interesting to see how the market will value the two in time (as that might influence calculus on which to purchase, all else equal). Every 911SC / Carrera auction is peppered with questions on “does A/C work”? My sense is that Carrera and 911SC draw a lot of 1st time buyers. Most seem to want to see a York Compressor up back and would value electric A/C in line with A/C delete. Not sure if that will influence my decision making on it but I’m aware of the option value that stock A/C has.

I will definitely live to see a time where our cars aren’t welcome in cities and/or major roadways. Maybe that’s because my car will come back to Australia with me in time and I’d expect Aus to follow Europe’s march more closely on this. It’s interesting to watch London tighten it’s grip on snotters within the “green zone” as an example. To me, that means that my car will eventually have limited value in it’s stock guise and that bumps utility / enjoyment factor today up in the calculus.

Thank you for your reply

The easiest thing to do is to simply replace the hoses, fittings, and dryer (and a Sanden rotary compressor, if you have an old York, etc) and see if that's good enough for you. If not, you can begin replacing/adding modern, more efficient condensers.