air scoops on fins

[j a guttman]

I recall that there were air scoops faired into the top ofthe tail fins. Were they functional? I can't imagine what they were for, but I hope that they had a purpose.

[Nick DeSpirito]

Mr. Guttman,

Yes, they were the fresh air intakes for the air conditioning system.

[Barry Wolk]

And, they looked soooooo good. I wish my car had them. Were they bronze, like the tail pipe insert?

[Nick DeSpirito]

Barry,

I heard they were cast in bronze, but I don't know for sure. Maybe it says something about it in the encyclopedia?

[Barry Wolk]

They were a separate part but I can't find the description in this parts book.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1%20Mark%20II%20docs/MarkIIexploded.jpg

[Nick DeSpirito]

Here's a photo of a '56 trunk showing the hoses coming down to the wheel wells to drain any water that might have entered through the intakes and they then loop back up the the blower motors on each side of the evaporator case. These hoses are normally hidden by a carpet "donut", but this car is missing them.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3819635213_9440e07315_m.jpg

Here's a side view from another car. Notice the "T" connection mounted to the wheel well. that's where the water drains.

http://c-it.com/chandler/56lincoln/img010.jpg

[Keith W Colonna]

Group,
Was the screen which is visible through the fender nostrils painted body color???or was is chromed, painted silver, black or what??

[Shelly Harris]

Mine's black.

[Nick DeSpirito]

according to the authenticity manual (and my car) the grills inside the air intakes are chrome.

Here's two pictures of mine.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2671/3823223486_87070d4fb4_m.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3482/3822417521_cb1ca7e121_m.jpg

[Keith W Colonna]

Thanks for the input....My 55 Capri has air scoops (not nostrils though) and the screens are chromed. I am convinced they should be chrome but will paint them in place with silver paint.

[linmk2]

The screens on my 56 are chrome.