Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22828 Location: UK

Did your car come with a heater as standard?

Was it an option? Or was it down to the first buyer to source and plumb in their own, if warmth while at the wheel was a priority?

RJ
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Ashley · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 1426 Location: Near Stroud, Glos

My MK VI Bentley has one under the passenger seat with ducts to direct the hot air forwards and backwards. It's the same as fitted to Morris Minors and Series 1 Land Rovers and it's slightly warm in the summer and less so in winter. There was an optional extra one available for cold countries.

It also has a fan collecting air from the radiatior and directing it via silencers to windscreen vents, which do demist slowly.

The system is described as Air Conditioning.

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7219 Location: Edinburgh

No, with the SS you were expected to wear a great coat in winter if the heat permeating up through the wooden floorboards from a large exhaust pipe down each side proved insufficient. Opening the sunroof also tended to suck more heat into the cabin.

The postwar Jaguars had a heater as standard and I fitted one the same in my car as I don't have a great coat.

Peter

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Phil - Nottingham · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 1252 Location: Nottingham

Our S2 LR did not but the rest did apart from the 1938 Rover 16 - even post war versions it was optional until 1948.

It still has no heater and is really no issue as heat seeps though the wooden floor boards and the cast iron steering wheel soon warms up and retains the heat
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Ellis · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 8:41 pm Post subject:

My 1962 Series 2a Land Rover is the basic model, ie one windscreen wiper and the driver's door lock was a later addition, it did not have a heater although the holes for the pipes were there but blanked off.
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1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
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ka · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 600 Location: Orkney.

The pleasure of owning a thermosyphon, no water pump, no heater outlets, no heater, even as an option.
A wide choice of gloves,(not woolly as they slip on the wheel), hats and quilted trousers and jackets, water proof of course, as we have no hood.
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KA

Better three than four.

Mog · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 663 Location: Sydney

When I moved from South Australia to New South Wales, with my Series 2a Land Rover, they would not pass it until I put another windscreen wiper motor on !

roverdriver · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2016 8:31 am Post subject:

Over the years I have owned one or two different cars. As far as heaters go- Model T Ford- No, Model A Fords (many)- No, 1930 Morris Minor- No, 1939 Series E Morris- No, 1940 Flying Standard- No, 1948 Austin 10 -No, A variety of 60's and 70's cars and vans -No. Every Rover I have owned 1950 models onwards- YES!!!

I must say, that engine and exhaust heat finding its way through the firewall and floor was reasonably adequate to keep the chill out on many models, but then we don't get really cold winters.
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Fluffle-Valve · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2016 8:53 am Post subject:

Heaters were well in by the time my 1972 Series III Land Rover was born. Not a great heater overall, but does work.
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Series 3 1972 LWB Truck Cab Pick Up. My daily drive.

Ronniej · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2016 9:50 am Post subject:

My Morris 8 Two seater does not have a heater as such but the little flaps on the scuttle catch the waste heat from the bonnet louvers and it gets quite cosy if the hood is up. On the other hand, the Singer Roadster has nothing and on a cold day it is like driving a fridge.

old iron · Joined: 22 Mar 2016 Posts: 185

Vauxhall 20/60 saloon of 1928 vintage.
We fitted a Air parking heater, used in canal boats, Lorry cabs parked overnight, some caravans. Works independently off its own supply of diesel fuel and I use an independent battery as well. Works a treat.
Made sure it can all be removed from the car and leave not a trace of evidence of fitting.

PAUL BEAUMONT · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 1281 Location: Barnsley S. Yorks

I sympathise with Ka! My Jowett is also thermosyphon, though being a twin I do have the advantage of an exhaust pipe just beneath the floor on both driver and passenger sides!! Laughing

BTW doe anyone solve the thermosyphon heater problem with one of those delightful Smiths pumps that drove with a wheel running on the back of the fan belt?

colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

My aircooled Fiat 500 has a gem of a heater. Hot air, diverted from the cooling flow over the cylinder fins by a little flap just behind my seat, travels through a central tunnel, heating the steel body as it goes, and comes out from vents under the scuttle.
This requires no electrics or complex mechanisms and in such a small car keeps me as warm as toast.
The only problem was that with early cars, prior to a safety modification, a blown head gasket might have serious consequences for the health of the occupants!!!

Ronniej · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2016 6:43 pm Post subject:

Da Tow'd · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2016 8:33 pm Post subject:

Heaters
1929 Model A No but saw a metal shroud for the exhaust manifold for a heater
1948 Thames e83w No
1957 VW beetle might as well say no
1958 VW transporter weak but had a "gas heater" that would cook you out
too much monoxide
1962 122 Volvo yes
all the newer Volvos Yes
1971 id21 Citroen had two one in front one in the back pleasant car to drive in the winter

Hank