Funny. Same kind of deal. First car was a Honda Prelude, then a CJ-7, 914, Beetle, etc. A good set of tools and a Haynes manual from my Dad and I was a shade tree mechanic by college. Rebuilt a Chevy 350 in the basement when I was 19, then parts swap modified a Datsun straight 6 in my 280ZX (260 head, dual Stromburg carbs).
Seems like it prepared me for so many things in life. Not to mention my Airstream.
Must be a common thread in Airstream ownership...we all owned cars where we made the monthly payments at the parts stores My first "car" was a 51 Ford pickup with a crash gearbox, painted it with black screen laquer and a "flit" gun. Next was a series of MGB's got real good at electrical trouble shooting, carb balancing, and motor rebuilds; then moved on to VWs, Vegas, Datsuns, Hondas and Airstreams seems that somewhere along the way I should have learned
Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #2449 AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
Don't mean to deviate from the thread tooooo much, but were those Stromburgs side draft carbs? If so, did you have a flooding problem?
Tom
They were, and I did.
Special screwdriver to adjust them while the car was running, without causing a vacuum leak, was about $50 at the time. Former Midget owner, plus a 68 Beetle,, 72 Beetle, 72 Bus, and a 68 Bus, as well as a host of diesel-powered water cooled models.
My first was a 1962 Chevy Impala SS 327. White with a red interior. An eight track player with a console full of tapes. I still dream about this car. Needed to sell it for college tuition so I could make the big bucks and own a Rambler American station wagon.
Aaron, some of us have still not learned. Original purpose for buying a motorhome was to tow my austin mini(s) to car show once they are completed. Then having found airstreams decided my classic car habit should be supplemented by a classic motorhome (read more things to fix.....)
Current "toys" include an MG Midget, Porsche 356, multiple minis, and a Morris Minor.... This collection keeps my electrical troubleshooting skills fresh !
Aaron, some of us have still not learned. Original purpose for buying a motorhome was to tow my austin mini(s) to car show once they are completed. Then having found airstreams decided my classic car habit should be supplemented by a classic motorhome (read more things to fix.....)
Current "toys" include an MG Midget, Porsche 356, multiple minis, and a Morris Minor.... This collection keeps my electrical troubleshooting skills fresh !
John
John,
I haven't learned we are in the market for a MoHo...Classic....of course and I just found a 70 Tradewind for $400 today...it should be delivered to the collection point next week Currently my 12 volt electrical expertise is being used on my AS, a 57 Chevy, and multiple tractors. I would love to get back into sports cars but I am not sure I would want to strain my marriage quite that far I never found one of the old mini's for sale when I had the money to buy one. The closest I ever came was a Lotus Europa...problem was I was too tall to drive it
So on to the search for a MoHo
Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #2449 AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
Steve, I can only speak for myself. And often I do so. "I'm not nuts,....just a carrier!
__________________
Glen Coombe AIR #8416
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Golf Professional Sales Rolling Showroom
"I'm not an expert. But I did sleep in an Airstream last night."
chuck,
Say hey if you see us. We'll be stopping in Billerica so my kids can see the house I grew up in then two days in North Andover at my sisters, followed by four days in Rye Beach NH so visit with my wife's family then on up to Freeport for a day or two with some of our best friends. Really looking forward to a day on Casco Bay in his "Gentlemen's Lobsterboat"
I had always considered myself a Beetle purist, and had only '67s - the last year for the old body styling (bumper overriders!) and the first year for 12 volt, no more weak eyes. The front fenders look especially nice with the 12-volt headlights sitting upright, yet the old bug lines prevail. I took one from a junkyard with a tree growing through the floor pan, fixed her up and took first place two years running in the local VW dealer shows, back in the days before I had kids and a mortgage, of course. Fitted her out with 356 chrome rims, throw-out windows, added a rear-window defogger and shoulder belts. I cried big when I sold her, and often think of wanting her (or one of the many others) back, especially now that my boy is 16 and laments for one too. I never expected to stroll down that particular memory lane on an Airstream forum, though!
Well we made it towing the Beetle with not problems. Had to disconnect it once when I zigged instead of zagged getting out of a truck stop turnaround. But it all worked better than expected. Now I can't imaging not having the car with us....very reassuring to have a second set of wheels with you.
pbnj...wanted a sixties beetle (love those lines) but this little "fat chick" was too good to pass up. I can see a standard restoration in my future but not until the Airstream is done. (read...my wife won't let me)
I had always considered myself a Beetle purist, and had only '67s - the last year for the old body styling (bumper overriders!) and the first year for 12 volt, no more weak eyes. The front fenders look especially nice with the 12-volt headlights sitting upright, yet the old bug lines prevail.
IIRC the 1967 was also the first year with the independant rear suspension for much improved handling. Without a doubt, 1967 was the pinnacle year for VW.
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My first "car" was a 51 Ford pickup with a crash gearbox, painted it with black screen laquer and a "flit" gun. Next was a series of MGB's got real good at electrical trouble shooting, carb balancing, and motor rebuilds; then moved on to VWs, Vegas, Datsuns, Hondas and Airstreams 
seems that somewhere along the way I should have learned 
I never found one of the old mini's for sale when I had the money to buy one. The closest I ever came was a Lotus Europa...problem was I was too tall to drive it 
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