VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1938 accessory?

This accessory is called a Controlled Fresh Air Unit. It is a screened scoop hooked up to the Super Deluxe heater defroster unit and was listed on a page of winter accessories in the Sept 1, 1938 master parts catalog for a cost of $2.95. It is shown mounted on the side of the cowl on a '38, just above the speedline. It is not in the '38 accessory catalog with copyright of 1937. It is shown in the 1939 Chev accessory catalog mounted on a '39 cowl (no speedline). Is it a 1938 Chev accessory per VCCA? Just wondering.

Haree,
That's really interesting. Seems you have done your homework on this accessory. I'll bet ol' Ray is pulling his hair out right about now. Maybe not. (I mean this in a good way.) I can't fathom him not knowing about this item. I'm waiting for his comment, if any.

Thanks for posting and you pose a good question.
Charlie

If it connects to the top of the heater then it would preclude someone from installing the defroster motor housing.. not what I would expect to see in the winter accessories catalog.
Mike

Its up to you to have the documentation to prove it was a 1938 accessory.
I have the fresh air intake accessory on my 1939. I never knew it was available late in 1938 as a 1938 accessory.
I have never used it in winter but it does prevent the windows from steaming up when driving in the rain. Very little air is drawn in when driving and to make it "work" it is necessary to run the defroster, I have the original installation instructions for my unit. Will have to see is 1938 was mentioned.
The accessory is listed for 1939 only in the Feb 1939 parts book....ditto on the replacement parts for it. If I remember correctly it is mounted between the defroster and heater in 1939.

Chev Nut...Just what does this thing do???
It seems to me if your car has the heater/defroster ( mine has the Deluxe ) use that to defrost the wind shield.
If you want air in the car well then just open the cowl vent to one of the 3 steps it offers... I don't get it??? Thanx Ed

It prevents the windows from misting or fogging up in the first place. It brings in fresh outside air that would be lower in humidity and the more passengers in the car breathing out humidity the more frosting up. It was a poor attempt to compete with the weather eye used by Nash. The 1942-1948 Chevrolet fresh air unit was much better as it rammed air into the passenger compartment building up a pressure inside the cabin and this prevent drafts from creeping in.
Pontiac, LaSalle and Cadillac also used a cowl side fresh air scoop like a 1939 Chevrolet used but it was square in shape..