Astro Vents (Rear) - 73 Convertible with a/c

[Alan C.]

I searched the old and new archives and did not find an answer.

What is the purpose of the two rear vents (just forward of the gas cap) on a 73 convertible with a/c?

I can look straight down and through these.

I read that there is a function if the car is non a/c (vacuum controlled, etc) - but for a/c cars, I'm thinking they are just decorative..

thanks!

[Alan S.]

Re: Astro Vents (Rear) - 73 Convertible with a/c

Hi Alan
I've always thought that the fact that A/C cars would require a different rear deck was enough reason for the openings and grilles to remain.
The 71 AIM shows the vents being blocked off on UPC 60, Sheet A 10, for both coupes and convertibles.
Regards,
Alan

[Robert R.]

Re: Astro Vents (Rear) - 73 Convertible with a/c

Sadly more than just decorative. With any AC Convertible in wet weather conditions, the tank sticker and eventually the top of the tank itself, gets destroyed. The deflector rubber pieces below the grilles do not completely divert the water away from the top of the tank.
Bob

[Alan C.]

Re: Astro Vents (Rear) - 73 Convertible with a/c

the "deflector rubber" pieces? Are they available?

Thanks for your input!

[Chuck G.]

Re: Astro Vents (Rear) - 73 Convertible with a/c

I'm certainly no expert, but like Alan, I thought they were blocked off on AC cars.

On non-AC cars, you're right that there are "flappers" that open and close to allow the flow through ventillation. With the flappers closed, the interior of the car is sealed. The flappers are controlled by vacuum from the heat/defrost/vent wheel on the console.

Now, I'll throw a curve ball. I thought that somewhere along the line in the C3 series, the rear deck/bulkhead placement changed, so that the vents opened to to bottom of the car, NOT to the interior.

Thoughts?

Chuck

[Alan S.]

Re: Astro Vents (Rear) - 73 Convertible with a/c

Hi Chuck,
How are you? Are you here (NORTH) or there (SOUTH)?
Where do the vents dump the water on your 69? And now I can't remember, is yours an a/c car?
Regards,
Alan

[Terry M.]

Re: Astro Vents (Rear) - 73 Convertible with a/c

Now, I'll throw a curve ball. I thought that somewhere along the line in the C3 series, the rear deck/bulkhead placement changed, so that the vents opened to to bottom of the car, NOT to the interior.

Thoughts?

Chuck

You are right Chuck. I know by 1972 the AC cars, both coupe and convertible, had the see-through vents because the rear bulkhead was moved forward to give more clearance to the fuel tank. What I can't recall is which way 1971 went. I printed an article about this in The Restorer during my term as Editor. It was based on Rolf Krueger's work, and I printed it after his passing.

[Robert R.]

Re: Astro Vents (Rear) - 73 Convertible with a/c

Alan,
I checked a couple of cataloges but no success on seeing the flaps. maybe someone else on the board may have that answer for you.

Chuck,
The flap / deflector that I am refering to apears to be attached from the underside of the rear deck. When looking straight down from the deck grille, you can see 1- the front edge of the gas tank, 2- the top of the spare tire lid and top of the muffler, and 3- the pavement.
Also, I owned a '73 Coupe w/AC that had the trough to collect water and drain out the side of the wheel area. And have seen '74 Coupes w/ AC with the area just below the grille blocked off and painted black.
But on convertibles w/AC, it was as described above.
Bob

[Alan S.]

Re: Astro Vents (Rear) - 73 Convertible with a/c

Hi All,
The article Terry mentioned is in the Volume Twenty-Nine, Number Four, Spring 2003, THE CORVETTE RESTORER.
Regards,
Alan

PS: The rear bulkhead was moved forward 3 inches with the start of 1971 production. The 71-73 Convertibles with a/c had no plenum, had a block off plate, and you can see the ground when you look through the grills on the rear deck.
I'd think Rolf is pleased his work is still usefull to us!!

[Chuck G.]

Re: Astro Vents (Rear) - 73 Convertible with a/c

Hi Chuck,
How are you? Are you here (NORTH) or there (SOUTH)?
Where do the vents dump the water on your 69? And now I can't remember, is yours an a/c car?
Regards,
Alan

Hi Alan: I'm NORTH till this Saturday, then heading SOUTH for 9 days. Will be at our place several days, then over in Kissimmee for the meet. Are you going?

My 69 is NOT an AC car. My Astro Vents open to the interior. They are in front of the bulkhead. There are 2 flappers, one under each vent. With everything (heat-defrost-vent) turned OFF, the flappers are closed.

When you turn the wheel on the console, (can't remember which positons on the wheel) the flappers open by vacuum, thus the "ASTRO VENTILLATION".

Chuck