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Sharon... you are a genius! I was stupid enough to use my real garage to store the interior of my Ambassador. Now I have the perfect excuse to buy a second trailer.
Yes... yes. I can see this right now already-- my wife will have no choice but to agree to a second Airstream in the driveway!
(Now, where do the cars go? I already have a ski boat that takes up the whole garage...)
Sharon-- thanks for the extra karma. I don't expect you to sell me yours, but I AM very much looking forward to watching your restoration of it when you're ready to begin that project.
Alright, I have an Airstream VIN that I'm trying to crack. I'm not sure if it's a partial or if it's complete, seems it might have changed around '66 or so. It is being referred to as a 1966 22' trailer, but I've seen pictures and I think otherwise.
Here is the VIN that I've been given:
263T130
I'm looking for experts to correct me if I'm wrong, but based on other VINs I've seen discussed here on the forums, I believe that VIN would indicate that this is the 130th unit in the production run of a model that had twin beds, from model year 1963, and a 26-foot trailer.
I'm not sure if, in that model year, there were digits that indicated trim level and production plant?
So, what do you experts think? Am I looking at a 1963 Overlander serial number?
Oh, here's the first pic I saw that made me question the current designation of a 22' 1966 model. I'm certainly no Airstream expert, but it looks like an Overlander to me, and the taillights and window glass don't look like a 1966 to me...
So, what do you experts think? Am I looking at a 1963 Overlander serial number?
I would say you have cracked the code
__________________ Streaming in the spirit of Exploration... "To go places and do things that have never
been done before-that's what living is all about." - M. Collins
Peter & Sharon
WBCCI #1963 & 1961
Last edited by azflycaster : 05-05-2008 at 05:30 PM.
Reason: fixed quotes
Mid 60's and earlier trailers plant of origin was not indicated by a letter in the VIN, but by the format of the VIN. In your case the difference is shown here: 63Overlander
It shows that the VIN is from an Ohio built 63 and since there is no I prefix, it is standard trim, not International trim.
Thanks Sharon and Richard, I might not be an expert, but with help from all of you kind folks here at the Airforums, I can at least pass for someone who stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
...or something...
So, with the code cracked, I now plan to find out more about this 1966 22' unit that looks suspiciously like a 1963 Overlander.
Too bad about the lack of International trim though, I really like those "I" rigs.
you can just add 12 volt and change the wood to dark oak, add a few new emblems and call it an international. Looks like the furnace has been removed and plated. I would not be surprised if someone does not tell you your axles are shot... someone always seems to throw that out there. It does look low.
you can just add 12 volt and change the wood to dark oak, add a few new emblems and call it an international. Looks like the furnace has been removed and plated. I would not be surprised if someone does not tell you your axles are shot... someone always seems to throw that out there. It does look low.
Heh! I've noticed the same thing about the frequent axle comments. In this case, from looking at them, I'd tend to agree. But of course, as of yet, they are not my axles.
I prefer mahogany to dark oak anyway. When did the Honduran mahogany enter the picture on the Internationals? Maybe THAT'S the year I need to be chasing...
I'm trying to Be Prepared just in case this one ends up going somewhere. So, I'm hoping somone can tell me the proper wheel size and tire size for a '63 Overlander? I'll post in the proper wheel/tire forum as well, but I thought I'd post here first in case anyone is reading this thread.
Similar models in nearby vintages seem to call for 15" , 6 lug, 5.5" bolt pattern, and zero offset. Is that correct? Since there are 4 wheels and the dry weight is probably somewhere around 4200 - 4500 lbs, what would be the appropriate weight rating for each individual wheel?
And then for tires-- without debating BRANDS , what is the appropriate tire size for the '63 Overlander, and again what weight rating would be appropriate since there are 4 tires?
On Edit: One other question-- what is the likely hitch ball size for the trailer tongue on a '63 Overlander?
Thanks in advance for any help that is thrown my way.
And then for tires-- without debating BRANDS , what is the appropriate tire size for the '63 Overlander, and again what weight rating would be appropriate since there are 4 tires?
On Edit: One other question-- what is the likely hitch ball size for the trailer tongue on a '63 Overlander?
Great idea, thanks David. That was the first resto/reno thread I ever read on this site and it was quite inspiring, I've skimmed it several times since but usually only while fantasizing, so I hadn't thought to actually use it for reference.
It would be a fun coincidence if I actually ended up purchasing the same model and year of the trailer whose owner's thread first inspired me to pursue seriously the purchase of an Airstream.
I think the offset is 1.5".. mine was. The rest of the specs sound right.
I could be wrong, but the mahogany I have seen is not Honduran. The only mahogany I seen in Airstreams is Philippine, like luan or marranti. That is not really a mahogany. When the time comes, I will help you with veneer sources. African mahogany is my personal choice if you want that classic look.
Glad to know I am not the only one to be inspired by Uwe and his 63.
2" is standard for the vintage units.... forgot that part... now go get it.
Many thanks Frank, I'm trying to hook that up right now.
I have a few more grainy photos that I'll post up, and the seller is supposed to send me more today. Additionally I'm asking for further info on the overall condition of the unit.
Like you said, it looks like the furnace has been removed and the opening covered-- not a big deal to me, I live in Texas and do the majority of my camping in the South, and in the Summer. Good fans and some type of AC will be far more important. This unit doesn't appear to have AC, so that would be one of the first things to look into. But I like the undisturbed roofline, so I might have to look into some type of in-coach installation as Uwe has done. But that's a LONG way off, first things first.
One other interesting thing, although the serial number says it's a twin model, the interior pictures appear to show a large bed on one side of the bedroom, and cabinets on the other. So, it'll be interesting to see what other modifications might have been made.
By the way, although Uwe and Ken J were early inspirations, your thread and blog for Anna are among my current inspirations, so I really do appreciate the extra time and support you've given me.
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