'63 Safari - It 'Bee' Traded (#8671)

[goransons]

Just wanted to let everyone know that Rob and I have come to an agreement and my wife and I will be trading our 66 Overlander for his #8671 (the 63 safari caravan trailer being converted to mobile Bee educational unit).

We will be spending the next several weeks preparing the overlander to specs we have been working on to further help his grant process, along with several repairs/upgrades for it to be ready to go south. Before the end of the month we plan to drive the 12 hours (each way) to deliver the Overlander and bring the Safari back home.

Though a lot of concern has been raised I wanted to say the following:

Joe (66Overlander) has been an amazing advocate for this trailer, and it likely would not have the same fate had he not been involved in finding individuals to work out a deal.

Rob (current owner) - His educational ideas are outstanding (as were/are his intentions), and can't wait to see what he does with our Overlander and the many kids and adults that will be enlightened as a result of it. He has been great to work with and we greatly appreciate his willingness to change directions in the middle of his grant to preserve this amazing piece of history.

Various Forum Members - to the forums members that have offered free parts to the masses and have in turn sent or were preparing to send parts to us for the overlander, thank you. I'll be contacting those members offering the parts back, or offering to in turn offer them for free for someone else. A list of free parts given to us by forum members (that they don't want back) as well as a long laundry list of parts from the Overlander we'll be giving away will be posted as soon as the safari rests in our driveway. We want to offer these items to contributing members of the forums for all the advise and encouragment we've received on the tradewind and in this adventure.

Some items we removed from the Overlander will be sold via Ebay to try to offset the Overlander upgrades to prepare the deal and the cost of driving to California and back (afterall my airstream account was already negative for this month before this all started).

What is to become of 8671? We plan to store it for the next year while we pay off the cost of the deal and a few other projects around the house, then plan a shell-off restoration that will return it to as close to the original as possible (Utilizing photos etc from Joe's article etc).

Thanks again, and as soon as we get it on the road we'll post photos of the process.

[ts8501]

Way to go for steping up and saving this historic trailer. It is great to see this story will have a happy ending. This forum is an amazing resource, and you and your wife are great for taking this on!

[willyd]

Can't wait to see - we need to see pictures. Great Job

[69Stream]

I am the wife of "goransons" (Scott) and I just wanted to also say how wonderful this forum is. It is amazing to have so many people step forward willing to save this piece of Airstream history. I'm looking forward to this new project and I'm sure that Scott will keep you posted on our progress.

[vswingfield]

A great project that I look forward to following.

[wkerfoot]

That is fantastic, I look forward to seeing the trailer at a VAC get together.

Bill

[Twotone]

Good for you! I was hoping someone from this board would make a deal to get that piece of history turned in the right direction. I look foreward to seeing your progress when the project gets started.
Tom

[Airslide]

Congratulations! Im glad you pulled it together. Im down this way should you need any help.

Vinnie

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by goransons

Just wanted to let everyone know that Rob and I have come to an agreement and my wife and I will be trading our 66 Overlander for his #8671 (the 63 safari caravan trailer being converted to mobile Bee educational unit).

We will be spending the next several weeks preparing the overlander to specs we have been working on to further help his grant process, along with several repairs/upgrades for it to be ready to go south. Before the end of the month we plan to drive the 12 hours (each way) to deliver the Overlander and bring the Safari back home.

Though a lot of concern has been raised I wanted to say the following:

Joe (66Overlander) has been an amazing advocate for this trailer, and it likely would not have the same fate had he not been involved in finding individuals to work out a deal.

Rob (current owner) - His educational ideas are outstanding (as were/are his intentions), and can't wait to see what he does with our Overlander and the many kids and adults that will be enlightened as a result of it. He has been great to work with and we greatly appreciate his willingness to change directions in the middle of his grant to preserve this amazing piece of history.

Various Forum Members - to the forums members that have offered free parts to the masses and have in turn sent or were preparing to send parts to us for the overlander, thank you. I'll be contacting those members offering the parts back, or offering to in turn offer them for free for someone else. A list of free parts given to us by forum members (that they don't want back) as well as a long laundry list of parts from the Overlander we'll be giving away will be posted as soon as the safari rests in our driveway. We want to offer these items to contributing members of the forums for all the advise and encouragment we've received on the tradewind and in this adventure.

Some items we removed from the Overlander will be sold via Ebay to try to offset the Overlander upgrades to prepare the deal and the cost of driving to California and back (afterall my airstream account was already negative for this month before this all started).

What is to become of 8671? We plan to store it for the next year while we pay off the cost of the deal and a few other projects around the house, then plan a shell-off restoration that will return it to as close to the original as possible (Utilizing photos etc from Joe's article etc).

Thanks again, and as soon as we get it on the road we'll post photos of the process.

Scott,
Congratulations on your deal! I am just glad I could help out in a small way, but it was really you and Rob that figured out how to make this a deal. I only only got the two of you in contact with each other.

It certainly sounds like both of you are getting something out of this deal - You a trailer with history and Rob a trailer that will be easier to convert for his educational purpose. Both of you are great people with great plans for your trailers. This deal sure sounds like a win-win to me.

[InsideOut]

Yeah! I'm so glad this has a happy ending!

I look forward to the rebirth of 8671 & the awesome future it has come spring!

Now we can all bee happy!

Shari

[Stefrobrts]

Yeah, good news! I hope we get a chance to see that piece of history at a NW forum rally someday

[62overlander]

This a clear case of "karma" being more fitting than "thank". I look forward to following your progress of restoring your new trailer, hope you start a blog. Maybe you could encourage Bob to start a thread documenting his progress and plans.

[Lumatic]

I thank you for your efforts to preserve this piece of Airstream history.

Regarding extra parts you might have, the Ross trailer 6472 I am caretaker for is mostly there but some of the interior fixtures are really showing their age. In particular the pair of light sconces, clockface and stovetop come to mind.

As far as I know there are 3 ASs accounted for from the Round the World Caravan; yours, mine and one other that another Forums member is watching over. Anyone know of any other lurkers?

[purman]

Hey, Scott, I am on vacation in seattle but would like to help you out some how as you stepped up to do this...

Do you have a paypal account... I would like to send some money to help with gas for your trip to make the trade...

Its great that you stepped up to do this and save a bit of AS history... THANK YOU>>>
Jason