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{{short description|World's first mass-market automotive heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system}}
{{for|the radio personality|Weather Eyes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}

[[File:Weather Eye heater AMC 1967.jpg|thumb|right|Weather Eye heater a 1967 [[AMC Marlin]]]]

The '''Weather Eye''' was a [[trade name]] for a [[Nash Motors]]-designed fresh-air system for automobile passenger compartment heating, cooling, and ventilating.<ref name="timeline">{{cite web|url= http://www.ssaw-services.com/rses/timeline.html |last=Wolfe |first=Steven J. |year=2000 |title=HVAC Time Line |work=Refrigeration Service Engineers Society Twin Cities Chapter |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120717010458/http://www.ssaw-services.com/rses/timeline.html |archive-date=17 July 2012 |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> The Nash "All-Weather Eye" was the first automobile air conditioning system for the [[mass market]].<ref name="Counterpersons">{{cite web |title=A Counterpersons Guide To Climate Controls |url=http://www.counterpersontraining.com/index.cfm?go=lms.module&moduleid=23&mode=train&topicid=70 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041558/http://www.counterpersontraining.com/index.cfm?go=lms.module&moduleid=23&mode=train&topicid=70 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=Standard Motor Products}}</ref> The use of the Weather Eye name for automobile passenger heating and [[air conditioning]] systems continued in [[American Motors Corporation]] (AMC) vehicles.

The design principles of the Nash Weather Eye system are now in use by nearly every motor vehicle.<ref name="Wahlberg">{{cite web|url= http://vwlarry.blogspot.com/2009/05/ive-been-wanting-to-do-piece-about-this.html |author=VWLarry |title=Nils Wahlberg and Nash – Salute to a Great Engineer And Unsung Automobiles |date=19 May 2009 |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref>

==Conditioned Air System==
In 1938, Nash Motors developed the first automobile heater warmed by hot engine cooling water and using fresh air.<ref name="allpar">{{cite web|url= https://www.allpar.com/threads/nash-motors-cars-1916-to-1954.228277/#post-1085222375 |first=Curtis |last=Redgap |title=Nash Motors cars, 1916 to 1954 |website=allpar.com |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> This "Conditioned Air System" is characterized by a cowl-mounted outside air receiver that passes fresh air through a heater core utilizing hot engine coolant for a heat source.<ref>{{cite magazine|url= http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/it/2005/4/2005_4_26.shtml |last=Heppenheimer |first=Thomas A. |date=Spring 2005 |title=Cold Comfort |magazine=Invention & Technology Magazine |volume=20 |issue=4 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100101153459/http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/it/2005/4/2005_4_26.shtml |archive-date=1 January 2010 |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> The Nash system also pioneered the use of slight pressurization within the passenger compartment to eliminate the infiltration of cold outside air during winter use.<ref name="Bhatti">{{cite journal|url= https://www.ashrae.org/File%20Library/About/Mission%20and%20Vision/ASHRAE%20and%20Industry%20History/Evolution-of-Automotive-Heating-Riding-in-Comfort-Part-I.pdf |first=Mohinder S. |last=Bhatti |page=54 |journal=ASHRAE Journal |title=Evolution of Automotive Heating – Riding in Comfort: Part I |date=August 1999 |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> This was a fan-boosted filtered ventilation and heating for the passengers, not the modern meaning of an "air conditioning" system.<ref name="timeline"/> Nash was also the first automobile to make use of a [[Cabin air filter|disposable filter]] in the air-intake to clean incoming air.<ref name="Wahlberg"/>

This was the first car heater that used fresh air from the outside, and it was advertised as "No dust to soil or spoil your trip! Nash's automatic 'Weather Eye' gives you fresh air, free of dust…rain….insects…chilling drafts!"<ref>{{cite web |title=1938 Nash Sedan — it was the car everybody likes, or so they claimed |url= https://www.printersdevil.ca/leadstory/nash-sedan-1938/ |publisher=Printing Times |location=Canada |date=22 February 2020 |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> The Nash system was a significant advancement compared to what was used up to that time: heating by recirculating the air inside the car.<ref name="Bhatti"/> Nash also promoted the system's safety feature in eliminating the dangers of carbon monoxide.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/classic-cars/g1779131/history-nash-weather-eye/?slide=2 |title=History of the Nash Weather Eye |work=Autoweek |date=30 June 2016 |access-date=31 March 2023}}</ref>

A concurrent development, the [[Evanair-Conditioner]] was made by Evans Products Company as an aftermarket accessory and also available by [[Hupmobile]] on their 1938 and 1939 model cars.

==Weather Eye==
In 1939, Nash added a thermostat to its system, making it the first thermostatic automobile climate control system.<ref name="allpar"/> The Weather Eye "was the first truly good heating and ventilating system."<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=bHJPMRZ8BdAC&dq=the+first+truly+good+heating+and+ventilating+system&pg=PA107 |page=107 |first=Frederick |last=Zimmerman |year=2011 |title=The Turnaround Experience: Real World Lessons in Revitalizing Corporations and Organizations |publisher=F & J Zimmerman |isbn=978-0-9839035-4-3 |via=Google Books |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> Additionally, [[defogger]]s (defrosters) were incorporated with the introduction of the 3900 series cars that year.<ref name="Bhatti"/>

Nils Eric Wahlberg designed the Nash HVAC system, which continues to be the basis for modern automobiles.<ref name="Wahlberg"/> Nash included the first automatic temperature control for the air side of the heating system, with the thermostat sensing the temperatures of the incoming outside air, the heater's discharge, and the interior of the car; so that a change in any of these three air temperatures resulted in an automatic adjustment to maintain passenger comfort.<ref>Bhatti, page 57.</ref> Nash's Conditioned Air System heater was then marketed as the "Weather Eye", and consumer sales literature explained that the thermostat's "mechanical eye" watched the weather, hence the name.

==All-Weather Eye==
[[File:1957 Rambler Custom Cross-Country wagon AnnMD-h.jpg|thumb|upright|Dash mounted vent and controls for "vent-refrig-heat-defrost"]]
 
In 1954, [[Nash-Kelvinator]] capitalized on its experience in refrigeration to introduce the automobile industry's first compact and affordable single-unit heating and air conditioning system optional for all [[Nash Ambassador]], [[Nash Statesman|Statesman]], and [[Nash Rambler|Rambler]] models.<ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Gunnell |editor-first=John |title=The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975 |publisher=Krause Publications |year=1987 |isbn=978-0-87341-096-0 |page=176 }}</ref><ref name="albinder">{{cite magazine |url= http://wardsautoworld.com/ar/auto_rearview_mirror_9/index.html |first1=Al |last1=Binder |last2=the Ward's staff |title=Rearview Mirror |magazine=Ward's AutoWorld |date=1 February 2001 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090828225637/http://wardsautoworld.com/ar/auto_rearview_mirror_9/index.html |archive-date=28 August 2009 |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> It was a true [[vapor-compression refrigeration]] system with a compact under the hood and cowl area installation.<ref name="Counterpersons"/> Combining heating, cooling, and ventilating, the new air conditioning system for the Nash cars was called the "All-Weather Eye".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=News of the Automotive World – Nash Air Conditioner Combines Heating, Cooling, and Ventilating |page=86 |magazine=Automotive Industries |volume=110 |year=1954 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=NM8SAQAAMAAJ&q=Nash+air+conditioning+system |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref>

The 1954 Nash models were the first American automobiles to have a front-end, fully integrated heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=oN0DAAAAMBAJ&dq=1954+Popular+Mechanics+January&pg=PA86 |title=Nash Low Cost Air Conditioner Cools or Heats by Turning Knob |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=May 1954 |volume=101 |issue=5 |page=86 |via=Google Books |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Gantz |first1=Carroll |title=Refrigeration: A History |date=2015 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-7687-9 |page=192 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=0UgjCgAAQBAJ&dq=1954+Nash+first+integrated+heating&pg=PA192 |via=Google Books |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> This was the first mass-market system with controls on the dash and an electrically engaged [[clutch]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Daly |first=Steven |title=Automotive Air-Conditioning and Climate Control Systems |publisher=Elsevier Science & Technology Books |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-7506-6955-9 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=b92LgC3IUTUC&dq=Nash+air+conditioning+system&pg=PA2 |page=2 |via=Google Books |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> This "first true refrigerated air conditioner system" for automobiles was also compact and easily serviceable with all of its components installed under the hood or in the cowl area.<ref name="timeline"/> With a single thermostatic control, the Nash passenger compartment air cooling option was described as "a good and remarkably inexpensive" system.<ref>{{cite book|last=Stevenson |first=Heon J. |title=American Automobile Advertising, 1930–1980: An Illustrated History |publisher=McFarland |year=2008|page=177 |isbn=978-0-7864-3685-9 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=FGU5qHJY-y4C&dq=Nash+air+conditioning+system&pg=PA177 |via=Google Books |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref>

Entirely incorporated within the engine bay, the combined heating and cooling system had cold air for passengers to enter through dash-mounted vents.<ref name="albinder"/> Nash's exclusive "remarkable advance" was not only the "sophisticated" unified system, but also its US$345 price was significantly less than all the other systems.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1953-1955-nash-hudson-rambler5.htm |title=1953–1955 Nash and Hudson Ramblers |website=How Stuff Works |date=29 November 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200812071120/http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1953-1955-nash-hudson-rambler5.htm |archive-date=12 August 2020 |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> The optional air conditioning system offered by [[Oldsmobile]] cost $199 more, and it weighed twice as much as the integrated Nash unit that added only {{convert|133|lb|kg|0|}}.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.chrysler300country.com/airtemp_2.htm |title=Airtemp..... Now, That's Cool! |website=chrysler300country.com |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141104053551/http://www.chrysler300country.com/airtemp_2.htm |archive-date=4 November 2014 |url-status= usurped |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref>

A feature was the "desert only" setting on the A/C thermostat control, a position that typically ran the compressor continually. In humid environments, the [[evaporator]] will freeze from the accumulating condensation if the compressor operates constantly, ultimately blocking airflow.<ref>{{cite book |title=1973 AMC Technical Service Manual |website= |page=12B2 |chapter=All Season Air Conditioning |access-date=2 April 2022 |chapter-url= http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/manuals/AMC/1973/Service%20-%20rescan/image348.html}}</ref> Other temperature settings cycle the compressor to prevent this problem. Freeze-up is not a concern in dry environments such as [[desert]]s, and this setting provides constantly cooled airflow into the passenger compartment.

==American Motors==
[[File:1961 Rambler Ambassador sedan in pink 3of4 at Rambler Ranch.jpg|thumb|Door-mounted emblem on 1961 Rambler Ambassador]]

First as optional equipment and later as a standard feature, the Weather Eye system was continued by AMC after the merger of Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and [[Hudson Motor Car Company]] in 1954.<ref>{{cite book |title=AMC Technical Service Manual |website= |year=1976 |page=659 |chapter=12A Heater – Weather Eye |access-date=2 April 2022 |chapter-url= http://oldcarmanualproject.com/manuals/AMC/1976/Service%20Manual/12A%20Heater%20Weather%20Eye/pages/1976%20AMC%20Technical%20Service%20Manual_Page_656_jpg.htm}}</ref> A smaller version of AMC's famous Weather-Eye heater was included in the [[Nash Metropolitan|Metropolitan]]. Improved versions of the "Weather-Eye" heater, fresh-air ventilation was standard on every 1967 [[AMC Ambassador]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1967-1968-amc-ambassador2.htm |title=1967 AMC Ambassador |website=How Stuff Works |date=11 October 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200922152607/http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1967-1968-amc-ambassador2.htm |archive-date=22 September 2020 |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref>

Starting with the 1968 model year, all AMC Ambassadors models came with air conditioning as standard equipment, a feature that at that time still cost extra even on expensive luxury-market [[Cadillac]], [[Lincoln (automobile)|Lincoln]], and [[Imperial (automobile)|Imperial]] models, as A/C that was included in a car's base price was only offered by [[Rolls-Royce Limited|Rolls-Royce]] and a few other expensive European cars.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1967-1968-amc-ambassador5.htm |title=1968 AMC Ambassador |website=How Stuff Works |date=11 October 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200919191850/http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1967-1968-amc-ambassador5.htm |archive-date=19 September 2020 |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> Although it was possible to delete this feature, including air conditioning made the Ambassadors "stand out in the crowded full-size market" and the marketing move resulted in increased sales.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Foster |first1=Patrick R. |title=American Motors Corporation: The Rise and Fall of America's Last Independent Automaker |date=25 November 2013 |publisher=Motorbooks |isbn=978-0-7603-4425-5 |pages=96, 99 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=CyBFAgAAQBAJ&dq=1968+AMC+Ambassador+standard+Air+Conditioning&pg=PA96 |via=Google Books |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> Effective advertising positioned the AMC Ambassador against the [[Chevrolet Impala (fourth generation)|Chevrolet Impala]] and [[Ford Galaxie]] as an unfair comparison because neither of these direct competitors included air conditioning as standard.<ref name="Stevenson">{{cite book |last1=Stevenson |first1=Heon |title=American Automobile Advertising, 1930-1980: An Illustrated History |date=24 November 2008 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-5231-6 |page=115 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=FGU5qHJY-y4C&dq=1968+AMC+Ambassador+standard+Air+Conditioning&pg=PA115 |via=Google Books |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> Instead, the Ambassador was pictured with a [[Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow]] because that was a car with standard air conditioning and further comparisons with it pointed out that the Ambassador offered more headroom.<ref name="Stevenson"/>

The "Weather Eye" designation was in use for 40 years and was last applied on the 1977 [[AMC Hornet]] and the 1978 [[AMC Gremlin]] models.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Martin |first1=Murilee |title=From the Nash Statesman to the AMC Gremlin: 40 years of the Weather Eye |url= https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/classic-cars/a1849041/nash-statesman-amc-gremlin-40-years-weather-eye/ |work=Autoweek |date=30 June 2016 |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{cite web|url= https://digital.hagley.org/vinson_2011_0505_00303 |title=You'll Be Ahead with Nash Weather Eye Conditioned Air System (brochure) |date=1946 |work=Hagley Digital Archives |access-date=31 March 2023}}

{{American Motors}}
{{Nash Motors}}

[[Category:Automotive technologies]]
[[Category:Automotive technology tradenames]]
[[Category:American Motors]]
[[Category:Nash Motors]]