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Old 09-27-2006, 09:44 PM   #1
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1962 24' Tradewind
Colorado Springs , CO
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1962 Tradewind - Renovation Epic

Well, we used to camp in this...(pic 1) "Pickle". That's an unmolested, all original, groovy 1977 VW Westfalia Campmobile, another obsession. As a family of five we were cramped, but loved it. Now, we are a family of six. We could all actually fit in the Pickle, but we have run out of room for gear, food, clothes, and sanity as it was (see pic 2). Plus, there are only seatbelts for 5 and I don't want to modify the VW. My wife refused to choose which kid gets strapped to the roof... trust me, we had volunteers.
So our search began. I liked any trailer that was vintage, but airstreams are so nostalgic, I knew it would have to be one. I also knew whatever we'd get, that it would have to meet some criteria:
  1. It would have to be modified to sleep 6 (well, 2 of us would sleep, 4 of us would be giggling all night, see pic 2).
  2. It would likely get beat up and abused (see pic 2 again).
  3. It would have to be vintage.
So, one that was not in great or pristine shape, or a model which was rare, because I have too much respect for vehicles like that to do what I wanted to do to it. It didn't take long and we found one right in town for 1800$, I think that was a fair price. The POs, a very nice couple in their 30's, lived in it for a few years before moving here and having kids. So it sat for a few more years. The did some work on it..as they lived in it, but nothing major. We basically impulse bought it because we were excited. It's the first one we actually went and looked at. I mean, I looked for dead bodies and all, but I didn't know they were all between the belly pan and the floor!
Nevertheless, I am loving it, good or bad. We towed it with my '85 Grand Wagonner up our ridiculously steep Colorado driveway and have started the work. Date of Purchase: 12 Aug 2006. AS 2333.
  • Much Thanks, mainly to Jim and Susan, and a handful of "5-Rivet Masters", you got me started and I've learned a lot already, including some mistakes I've already made.
  • I will post lots of pics (seems people here like that).
  • I will join something WBCCI/VAC/AIR when I figure that all out.
  • I realize I am refurbishing, not actually restoring the Tradewind. But, I hope to come close to, "What Would Wally Do", if he had to accomodate our needs. From what I understand, this time period of Airstreams was ripe with unique layouts anyway, with no "owners manual" to speak of.
Ok, that's enough for the first post...
I hope folks will enjoy the lack of progress
Craig
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Old 09-27-2006, 10:29 PM   #2
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1963 16' Bambi
1962 22' Safari
Yreka , California
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Welcome!

Sure looks like you are off to a great start! Airstreams rock! You will have a great time camping with your family. Post often, post lots of pictures, we love them!

Mrs. NorCal Bambi (traveling in S Tardis)
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Old 09-27-2006, 10:30 PM   #3
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1958 22' Flying Cloud
1956 30' Sovereign of the Road
1963 16' Bambi
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2333, I love all your windows in your TW! I wish for you all the energy and fortitude you need to complete your endeavor. What a beautiful family. You have a challenge to accomodate six, and with four of them still growing. But if you love vintage it will be fun and oh so worth it. I, along with many others here I'm sure, would love to see more pics, the interior, etc. Post some when you can.
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Old 09-27-2006, 11:05 PM   #4
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From the outside, looks like a great find and price. Not bad for the only one you looked at. Good luck with it, hope to watch your progress.
Dave
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Old 09-27-2006, 11:11 PM   #5
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1967 24' Tradewind
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She's beautiful!!

Your trailer has a beautiful shell. Keep up the pictures. Cute kids too!!
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Old 09-27-2006, 11:35 PM   #6
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1960 24' Tradewind
santa barbara , California
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Craig ,Great family you have ,those kids are wonderful .the airstream is
awsome .you will get much help here from all of us ,especially us early trwnd
owners .Great find ,just makes you smile doesn't it ?

Scott of scottanlily
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Old 09-28-2006, 12:03 AM   #7
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1959 24' Tradewind
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Welcome to the early TradeWind family. You'll love this era of trailer and having an Airstream of this vintage will make you permanently smile.

Ask lots of questions and in return post lots of pix.

Brad
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Old 09-28-2006, 12:49 AM   #8
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1992 34' Limited
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Photos REALLY help to explain SO much....

I am currently not doing anything with my AS other than enjoying it at every opportunity. I still feel tremendous benefit EVERY time I see a photo and then am able to relate what I saw to what I know was done. So cool.

Keep taking and posting as much and as often as you can.

I'll be watching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Old 09-28-2006, 09:17 AM   #9
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A/S rejuvination grows again

Craig and Family,
Welcome to the Forums. A/S trailers are my favorite. I am sure you will make many family memories in future travels with the tradewind. Best wishes for your growing family.
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Old 09-28-2006, 11:53 AM   #10
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1960 24' Tradewind
Folsom , California
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Great Pictures. Seems like a very good price.

Looks like from the outside that you have the Full Bed with cabinets on the opposite wall, vs. the twin beds opposite each other - can't tell for sure though. Those were the two basic floor plan choices. If you had the twins or if you converted it to the twin bed arrangement (which shouldn't be too hard) then you could put bunks above each twin and you'd have your sleeping for 6.

These folks have a bunk on one side . . . and I'm going to guess you have the same bathroom and kitchen/galley layout as them, just more cabinets on one side . . . did someone say they'd like to see more pictures?

http://www.airforums.com/photo...mageuser=11744
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Old 09-28-2006, 01:41 PM   #11
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1959 24' Tradewind
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I agree Mark. From the window arrangement, double bed curbside and double wardrobe cabinets with vanity on the streetside. Changing from double to twins would cause loss of both wardrobe cabinets though additional storage could be put under the newly installed twin bed streetside. Loss of significant storage would be the result of modification though. Does this unit have a full bathroom across the rear?

Brad
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Old 09-28-2006, 11:29 PM   #12
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Congratulations! We have a terrific group of vintage Airstream owners here & near, look forward to meeting you, your family and Airstream someday soon!

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Old 09-29-2006, 07:43 AM   #13
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1962 24' Tradewind
Colorado Springs , CO
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Ok, Ok, Ok....more pics!

Here's the inside. It's basically like Mark and Brad thought. Across the back is a full bath. My plan is actually to pull the whole bath out. In our experience, most places we have camped have a pooper at the campsite. Also, my kids can drop a load like a horse and I'm not so sure I want that stench in the trailer . We already have to evacuate the house twice a day!
Since we've camped a lot without one, I thought the bathroom would be the easiest way to make space. I'd like to put a triple bunk back there. Though it might be tight, move the drawers from the front gaucho/pull out bed to serve as the base, and then the bunks on top. Would take some modifications. Has anyone seen that done?
Turn the front into the dinette with the drop down table. The curb-side would also be a mini-dinette with drop-down. That way both areas can still be beds, but are much more functional for chow-time!
Craig
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Old 09-29-2006, 09:56 PM   #14
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1962 22' Safari
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Ohhhhhhhhh, more pics! Way to go!

Mrs. NorCal Bambi (traveling in S Tardis)
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Old 09-29-2006, 10:22 PM   #15
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1962 24' Tradewind
Colorado Springs , CO
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...was this painted before?

...most of the trailer is bare aluminum. But along some window edges, a few corners, and most evident here on the back, is peeling white paint !?!
You can see on the last panel on the right a shiny 3 from where the original old red number was painted. On top of the white paint are still remnants of the red numbers re-painted.. but I swear they are backwards. It's clear that "3" above the "S" is backwards. Why would they write the numbers backwards? You can also see the statement "We Jes' Airstreamin' Along" just above the nameplate. That statement was clearly painted on the aluminum, under the white paint. So it appears that some POs were getting creative. I'll be happy to email anyone the big JPEG image for a closer look.

I was told this was a '61. Pic 2 is the end of the galvanized water tank which was under the front pull-out. Does anyone think, or know, that if "4-62" is the date of manufacture for the tank...making my trailer a '62 ?!?

I've included the other plates for further interpretation.....

For clarification....
Pic 3
24DS S0822
6206

Pic 4
M-4 S-0822 2512
A-26189
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Old 09-29-2006, 11:07 PM   #16
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1962 24' Tradewind
Colorado Springs , CO
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flyfshr... you've done this before!

I just searched thru the threads and found that flyfshr interpreted someone elses VIN in 2003 that was almost identical to mine.
His was 0829 instead of 0822, but the rest was the same.
So, just waiting for confirmation...
That 6206 is June 1962 and that galvanized tank most probably was made in 4-62 (April 1962).

...Do I have to change the name of my thread now??
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Old 09-29-2006, 11:09 PM   #17
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What appears to be a backwards 3 is, in my opinion, the number 8. If you notice the circle on the top is smaller then the lower one. That would be consistant with the number 8, a 3 would have the same size circles top and bottom. Also the clear coat is missing in the area that would make the 8 complete. As to the year of the trailer, the serial number would make it a 62 California Tradewind with double bed. http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...2TW/index.html
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Old 09-29-2006, 11:16 PM   #18
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1962 24' Tradewind
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I bet you're right...

What would make sense is that the original owner was WBCCI member 2333, then a future owner got a new WBCCI number and that's what's painted on the white.
Sorry, that just dawned on me
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Old 09-30-2006, 07:55 AM   #19
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1975 31' Sovereign
Oxford , Mississippi
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What a great looking trailer, as far as the bathroom we bought our trailer almost 1 year ago and found water line leaks so we have not used the water or indoor plumbing yet, we wanted to get it rolling and get some camping in as we fix items. We only have one son but I will tell you from a pop-up to an Airstream was the best move we ever made and my son just loves all camping adventures we experience. Good luck with all the re-do's.
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Old 09-30-2006, 08:07 AM   #20
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1959 24' Tradewind
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Yep, its a '62 alright. Rolled off the assembly line in June. In fact it's toward the end of the production run for June because by the end of July, they became '63 model years. Either way, still a beautiful trailer with lots of mysteries to be pondered and tons of wonderful excursions to be taken. While renovating, please don't throw anything that was original in the dumpster. There are plenty of folks looking for original parts such as hardware, lighting fixtures, etc. Best of luck on your renovation.

Brad
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