Almost 50 years ago my father hung a Frigiking unit with a Tecumseh compressor on his stock 1940 Chevrolet (216 CID). He adapted the brackets and pulleys from parts that were then on the shelf for 235 Chevrolets. The 216, with plenty of low-speed torque and low gearing, drove with no noticeable difference, and the Frigiking, as they did, blew plenty of cold air even on the hottest days in Texas.
You could fabricate the brackets for the compressor, but the drive pulley may be more difficult to find. Surely Vintage Air has at least thought of something for this application.
My father sold and serviced auto air conditioning in Texas and New Mexico from 1954 to 1971. The only vehicle of the period that i can recall as seriously handicapped by adding an air conditioning unit was the old dentist's 1954 Plymouth convertible with the so-called "Hy-Drive" transmission. Instead of tossing that slush box, he traded the whole shebang for an Olds 98. No more problem with cold air, but no longer inline.
God's Peace to you.
d
