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mercury7 · 10-23-2006, 07:18 PM

Hello, I recently ran across a tradewind, unsure of the date because the guy said it was a 58...but they did'nt make a 58 that I can tell so from looking at others photos here I am thinking early 60's (it has a single axle

anyway the body looks pretty good and the interior has been gutted, all the stuff is just piled up in the middle so I think they were going to restore it then stopped.

the floor seems pretty solid, all the exterior and interior lights are gone (not sure if he has them.

So here is my problem, I am going to be using the trailer as a science exhibit, taking it around to schools to inspire young kids http://www.mercury7.com The guy was initially asking 3500 and I was able to talk him down to 2500....but I am scared this may be 500 to 1000 to much.

Is this particular model more valuable than other models....I hate to pass it up because it may be along time before I find one close to me like this, but I don't want to start out losing....probably needs brake work and rewiring too.

thanks for any insight on this.

Sugarfoot · 10-23-2006, 07:45 PM

Hi Mercury7, and welcome to the forums! Sounds like a great project you have ahead. With the single axle, it does sound like a very early 60's. As far as pricing, check http://www.vintageairstream.com/rr_t...condition.html for a good guideline on vintage trailer values vs. condition. If this Tradewind is completely gutted but you have the working parts in decent condition, you have potential to sell those parts to other vintage Tradewind owners looking to restore their trailers. Forum classifieds and eBay are possible markets.
I do think $3500 is high for one completely gutted, even with the parts. At $2500, well, I don't know. Are any of those parts salvagable? You have too many other variables like you say, axles, brakes, wiring, missing lights, etc. But I'm no expert. I've found value is often directly proportional to what one is willling to pay, and the seller probably feels someone out there is willing to pay his asking price. Good luck with your Mecury 7 Science Center. It is a worthy project indeed.

CanoeStream · 10-23-2006, 07:46 PM

Mercury-7. Boy, does that take me back to the early '60s!

Much info here and here. Looks like Tradewind began in 1959. Forward the VIN (embossed in steel on curbside of A-frame, or else metal plaque riveted to skin) and we can nail it down for you.

mercury7 · 10-23-2006, 08:08 PM

thanks guys.....I have til friday to think on it......I guess if it were 2000 then that would be a no brainer regardless of the condition...the body is real straight though...a few bends in the belly pan but tires look good...original rims etc.....looked like leaf springs under there, anyway just needed to be reassured or told to run

thanks and ill keep you posted. Scott
p.s.
I tried to offer 1500 but then he went off talking about 30000 airstreams....I just hate paying more than something is worth but really it is a pretty big trailer for that little money, btw are lenses easy to come by if he does not have them?....

Sugarfoot · 10-23-2006, 08:18 PM

Mercury, with lenses if your talking about running lights and tail lights, there are replacements available for the teardrop clearance lights and the Bargman 99's tail lights that look like the originals. Lenses for interior lights can be hard to come by. BTW, if those rims are original they will be split rims. Dangerous on blowouts and changing them. Most tire places won't even service split rims. If the seller is trying to use "original rims" as a selling point, its not. You would need to spend more money to replace them.

scottanlily · 10-24-2006, 12:26 AM

Hello mercury 7

The mercury 7 astronauts I believe ? The tradewind with a basically perfect
body is worth 2500 .And if the floor is solid ,then thats huge .I wouldn't quibble over 500 bucks really ,just do it .early tradewinds are very desirable
these days ,I own a 60 and really love it .By the way ,my parents named me
after Scott carpenter and John glenn ,who I think were part of the mercury 7
I thought that was pretty cool .

Scott of scottanlily

mercury7 · 10-24-2006, 07:03 AM

excellent...yes I was talking about the outside running lights lenses, and yes I think the rims are original but I guess you can't really tell just from the hubcap, its just a round chrome moon. I wrote the guy last night and had him check the title again..it is a 1959 .....I am excited

markdoane · 10-24-2006, 07:13 AM

Sounds good to me. The original running light bases are steel; you can replace with newer aluminum lights, but only if they are starting to rust.

Don't give up on the rims. My '59 has the original wheels and they are not split rims. Maybe it was an Ohio built vs California built thing, I don't know.

I would give the guy whatever he wants, but I love '59 Tradewinds.

Chaplain Kent · 10-24-2006, 07:20 AM

Welcome to the forums. It does seem that the early Tradewinds are very desirable right now but you do have some condition considerations. Will you ever be using this for camping? If not maybe the gutted interior is to your advantage. Pay close attention to the floor around the outside, just inside door and under windows. Take along an ice pick and do some probing. The tires may look good but dry rot can be present if they are more than a few years old. Take a few minutes to read some of the many axle postings here and then apply your new found knowledge to the axles. This could be a very expensive repair.
Good luck to you and please keep us informed. If you do buy don't forget to post some pictures.

flyfshr · 10-24-2006, 07:25 AM

'59 TradeWinds are undoubtedly the best. Right size and right era. If you can call the owner to get the VIN, we can decifer it for you. We can even tell you which plant it came from. As an example, mine is 24T-0114 - 858 which indicates it came off the assembly line in August of 1958 (858) and like autos, the model year changed after the monthe of July. If you end up with available interior parts, I for one would be interested in a few of the items if they're what I'm looking for. See? You already have a customer.

On edit: even if you don't buy, someone else may be interested in this trailer.

Brad
FF

mercury7 · 10-24-2006, 07:50 AM

thankyou, It looks like I will be taking the chance on it, and although it is destined to be a showcase trailer, I plan to be very mindful of its inherent value and not do anything to it to keep it from being restored one day. Last night it was very dark and so I was doing a simi inspection with my trucks hi beams on, I was only doing things like jumping up and down on the floor lol, I did pay particular attention to the bathroom floor and the doorway entrance, jumping in the doorway, I could see the alluminum lip move a little but could'nt feel it give any under my feet....so I am giving the floor a passing grade with thoughts of something to do to strengthen it further without replacing it, the bathroom area seems rock solid. and is btw the only part that was not torn out, the sink, toilet and a closet are all back there. and one cabinet up on the wall with slides across from the door way.

mercury7 · 10-24-2006, 07:53 AM

btw what is the highest 59 number you have seen? Kind of curious how rare a find this really is.

mercury7 · 10-24-2006, 07:59 AM

Brad, I was just looking at pics of your 59 tradewind, The one I am looking at is different, it has a window next to the door, and on the otherside it had three windows instead of two like yours....whats up with that?

mercury7 · 10-24-2006, 08:11 AM

other differences that I can remember, the door is a little further back, because of that window, and also on the other side of the door neer the bottem is a small like 18" x 18" door, I just recall because it was open and apparently you need a key to close it. The ac unit seemed to be more nid mounted and I think there was some sort of skylight in front of that

flyfshr · 10-24-2006, 08:12 AM

Highest number I've seen for the CA built ones is 170 and for OH built is 173. The window arrangement was determined by the layout of the interior. As example, windows just forward of the door indicates it had a couch instead of a booth. Three windows streetside also is a good indicator of this but not always. Also, some trailers had a double bed with two wardrobe closets opposite the bed which would have a vanity type area inbetween the wardrobes with a square window above the vanity.

On which side of the trailer is the bathtub? CA made units from this era were curbside and OH was streetside. If is without a tub and has a wet shower, meaning a toilet with a showerpan, on the curbside it also indicates an OH built unit.

Hope this helps explain the differences. Of course, there is also the possibility of an owner asking for a custom layout and all of this is throw out the window but these are rare.

Brad
FF

mercury7 · 10-24-2006, 08:22 AM

well by that logic it would be ohio....toilet with showerpan on same side as door, sink below rear window and then closet.

mercury7 · 10-24-2006, 08:28 AM

BTW, Here are some pics that were in my mind when I started thinking of potential trailers for my science center. Airstreams contribution to the space program, It was a quaranteen trailer made for the uss wasp, It was used during apollo 11 & apollo 12

Rog0525 · 10-24-2006, 08:31 AM

Here are FP's for a 59 TW with both twin and double bed. I believe these were standard models, but not sure if OH or CA built.

mercury7 · 10-24-2006, 08:37 AM

Very cool....mine is the one on the left with the twin bed

markdoane · 10-24-2006, 10:25 AM

Merc,

One thing you will find interesting is the height of the rear bathroom sink. It's a little lower than normal because of the window.

You may need to sit on a stool to wash your hands.

Check out my photo gallery! We have similar units.