CLASSIC HEATERS

The 1929 model year saw an innovation that would forever change the automotive industry. In that year, Ford introduced the first production cabin heater, a product created and patented in 1893 by mechanical engineer Margret A. Wilcox of Chicago. Today, the idea that cars had no heat for the first 40 or so years of their existence seems impossible. How did people drive in cold weather before the heater core was invented? Well, for the most part, they didn't. Or they used dangerous gas lanterns inside the moving vehicles to keep it warm as they drove down the bumpy dirt or cobblestone roads. Or they wore a lot of coats. Remember, back in the early days, people considered driving to be a privilege.

Like everything else on an automobile, the size and construction of a heater core is dependent on the manufacturer. Today, most heaters are made of a rectangular aluminum core and tanks that are either plastic (nylon) or aluminum. But back in the formative days of the heater core and the next 50+ years, there were many designs. The vast majority were made of copper and brass and their cores were either cellular or tube-and-fin.

classic Chrysler double heater core 1970 with air conditioning

But that's where the similarities ended. While modern heater cores are all rectangular, many early designs were very... let's just call them "creative." General Motors cars in the 1950s often had round heaters under the front seat to warm their occupants. Jeep and many British cars also had round heaters. Dodge often had U-shaped heaters, while their parent company often had two heaters, held together by a bracket in most units with factory A/C.

A major problem with these heaters is that there are very few artisans left in the repair industry who are capable — and patient — enough to perform the necessary repairs on these classics. They are few and far between, but there is definitely one on Long Island! Bill Carberry of Acme Radiator has been successfully repairing and recoring these crazy-looking heaters for over four decades! He's famous around the industry for his work with round heater cores.

Each one of these jobs is special and built by hand. If your antique car, truck or Jeep has a heater core that needs to be repaired or replaced, call us today at 516-293-2175 for an estimate. You may need to have your heater, along with a ruler and pencil ready when you call.

If you are completely missing the heater core for your project car, we may still be able to help you. We have a large selection of old heater cores that can be recored and sent to you. Even if we don't, if you have the OEM heater box, send it to us and we can most likely build a heater to fit the box.

Please call us at 516-293-2175 if you need more assistance.