Classic aftermarket 120v interior heater

I forgot to post up some pictures of this last night. This under dash heater was in the 1981 Bullnose parked next to me. Anybody remember these things besides me?...lol. Definitely a northern thing, and maybe only Canadian, I don't know, but I haven't seen one since I was a little kid (and I'm 47 now). My Grandparents had them in their cars (one a Merc Montego, and the other a Ford Zephyr).

Is this used to preheat the cab, before driving off, while the engine is coming up to temperature?

1986F150Six wrote

Is this used to preheat the cab, before driving off, while the engine is coming up to temperature?

Yes, exactly, or to preheat the cab before even getting in the vehicle. If it was covered in snow or ice this would melt it off the glass so that you wouldn't have to scrape it.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/little-buddy-120v-car-warmer-0303405p.html

I guess maybe these units are not as obsolete as I thought. A quick Google search shows me that not only are they still available, they're in-stock locally. It's funny...I don't know who is buying these things these days. Prior to this one, I hadn't seen one since probably 1980-ish...

Electric!  Wow!  Never seen one of those.  And the vehicle would also have a block heater?

Gary Lewis wrote

Electric!  Wow!  Never seen one of those.  And the vehicle would also have a block heater?

Well, I guess the answer to that is yes and no. Some people would have had both, yes. We almost never see block heaters anymore in my area, but they were semi common around here at one time. Out west on the prairies where it gets much colder, block heaters were a must...and not only did people use them at home, but many employers had rows of outlets in their parking lots for the employees as well.

I don't think the interior heaters were all that common either, at least not around here. This particular Bullnose was daily driven by the guy's wife for many years, and he installed the heater for her...maybe she couldn't reach all of the glass to clear off the snow, I dunno.

Rembrant wrote

Gary Lewis wrote

Electric!  Wow!  Never seen one of those.  And the vehicle would also have a block heater?

I don't think the interior heaters were all that common either, at least not around here. This particular Bullnose was daily driven by the guy's wife for many years, and he installed the heater for her...maybe she couldn't reach all of the glass to clear off the snow, I dunno.

Maybe, he loved her!

1986F150Six wrote

Maybe, he loved her!

Or that, too!!

Interesting cup holder mount!?

Wonder what the electrical draw was, Overworked the Alt?

reamer wrote

Wonder what the electrical draw was, Overworked the Alt?

No no...it plugged into the house, like a block heater.