Even if it's on the window sticker, that's really not proof that it was installed at "the factory."

Don't forget that all '97 ITR were assembled by a very small specialty company that didn't have the wherewithal or inclination to put AC in.

Manufacturing the ITR was a very expensive proposition, and the body shells moved back and forth from place to place as modifications were made and parts were installed. (In fact, it's likely that Honda lost money on every ITR sold, regardless of any money the dealers might've made.)

I think it might be possible that the Acura district that Florida's a part of might've conspired to have the AC installed before it arrived at the dealer, but the AC was still not installed in Japan.

 

That hit my funny bone, since I have an 00 ITR, but removed the A/C, oh well, it must get really hot where you live, it get's hot here in MI also, but I just roll down the windows, and drive faster.

 

All the 98's did not have A/C installed. I've got a 98 w/o AC and looked at many at local Ohio dealers when they were new. None had A/C.

It may have been a regional thing, but it definitely wasn't standard for all R's in 98.

I just found a scanned copy of the 98 ITR brochure. It has A/C listed under "Comfort & Convenience" as "Optional". It also has A/C listed under the "Accessories" along with the Trunk Mat, Floor Mats, Nose Mask, etc. I don't know if this means it's a factory and a dealer installed option or only a dealer installed option. The brochure is amibiguous.

The car mags and Acura made a big splash about the changes on the 00+ ITR's. Those included the new colors and including A/C as standard equipment.

Here's the URL for the brochure I mentioned above.

http://www.geocities.com/typer_801/98_ITR_Specs.jpg

 

Not sure how hot MI gets in like July and August, but in south Florida with almost 85% mumidity and high 80's low 90's, no having A/C is not an option, cause no matter how fast you drive, you have to stop at lights, and here in FL, stop and go traffic is as certain as the sun rising....

Couldn't get the window sticker, but I assure you it was printed on there...Though it may have gotten put on the car somewhere along the line, I assure you it wasn't at the dealer, we picked up the car the day it rolled in on the delivery truck...Thats not to say that it couldn't have been done by another dealer, but the plastic that covers the car was still on it, and on top of that, it was under the a/c was printed under the optional equipment heading, so unless some dealer figured out how to print new window stickers, I'd say it authentic.

What ever the case is, I suppose it's really a moot point, and really doesn't matter. This whole thread started on someone asking where to get the kit to add a/c. The point we were all making is that there are enough ITRs out there that already have a/c where it's not an issue, and you'de be better off buying one with it already, rather than put in a couple G's that you'll probably never see again.....

Later,
Aj