Heater duct for backseat passengers in '62?

[CadGrabber]

I noticed that my recently acquired 1962 Series 62 convertible has a plastic heating duct on top of the trans tunnel, originating at the bottom center of the dash, and ending in an outlet with a chrome plastic grille. Neat! Did all '62s have this or was this a convertible thing?  Coming from "lesser" vintage automobiles, this is the first time I've seen an attempt to keep those poor backseat passengers warm!

[gary griffin]

My 1942  67 series as well as so many Cadillacs of that era has heaters under the front seats ducted to the floor area of the rear seat. It was called the Deluxe heating system and thermostatically controlled.

[Joe G 12138]

At one time I had a '62 4 door hardtop, with Bucket seats that had that feature. Very unusual setup, but it was factory. The buckets seat backs did not tilt forward like in a coupe, they were fixed. No console, but that rear seat duct was right between them.        Joe Gibeault

[CadGrabber]

My 1942  67 series as well as so many Cadillacs of that era has heaters under the front seats ducted to the floor area of the rear seat. It was called the Deluxe heating system and thermostatically controlled.

Whoa, did not realize that feature dated back to the 1940s. This is what you miss when you drive plebian vehicles all your life!!

[CadGrabber]

At one time I had a '62 4 door hardtop, with Bucket seats that had that feature. Very unusual setup, but it was factory. The buckets seat backs did not tilt forward like in a coupe, they were fixed. No console, but that rear seat duct was right between them.        Joe Gibeault

Joe, you are describing exactly how my convertible is equipped. That heating duct is right between the bucket seats (no console) like how you are mentioning your '62 was.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

At one time I had a '62 4 door hardtop, with Bucket seats that had that feature. Very unusual setup, but it was factory. The buckets seat backs did not tilt forward like in a coupe, they were fixed. No console, but that rear seat duct was right between them.        Joe Gibeault

The only one of those I ever saw was owned by Gary Anderson years ago. Same car???

[Walter Youshock]

Not rare at all.  My '57 has heat ducts that run through the doors with outlet grilles to the rear compartment.  The Eldorado Brougham had adjustable rear seat heaters under the seats.

Today, with global warming, we need additional ac vents, not heat!  Remember that many a time cadillacs carried rear seat passengers in the old days.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

All models equipped with heater had underseat duct(s) for a good long stretch. I am unsure of the exact model year span but I would surmise it ended sometime in the mid to late '60s.

Bench seat cars had 2 ducts under the seat on either side; single duct in center on bucket seat cars which was finished with a chrome outlet since it was in plain sight.

Personally I always liked the way the older heating systems performed because the fan operated much slower - therefore quieter, and secondly, because heat is much better dispersed, the car warms more rapidly and evenly.

[jock82]

We had a 1960 Buick Invicta that had underseat heater ducts, I think there was a lever on the instrument panel that opened them up.


Guy Moore
CLC #12650