My wife, our baby, and myelf just started a full restoration on a '72 Overlander we recently purchased. As you'll see from the photos, it needs some serious TLC. We've had it over at Inland RV where we had new Axles installed and a new A/C unit. By the way, Greg is awesome! They did a full inspection for us and found that it was in really good condition considering its age and the fact that it had been sitting in the desert for the past 10 years. We started gutting her out this weekend and plan to replace all the old Walnut laminate cabinets with warm maple and a bit of cherry. Of course, we'll paint the walls, the bathroom (ugly!), and finally finish the flooring with either a cork floor, or maybe something modern like iFLOOR.
The first thing we took out was the couch. We're planning on building a wrap around dinnete that will make about a queen size bed for us.
Here are a couple photos to show how nasty this thing is, or was. The outside is pretty good, with a few dents. If you have any suggestions, or insight for us, please pass it on! We'll keep everyone updated with pictures.
Congratulations on your new airstream!! I know you are going to have a great adventure restoring it as well as taking it on the road. I look forward to reading about all of it in future post, remember post as many pics as you can! And last, but not least, welcome to the forums
__________________ "If a man does not have an ideal and try to live up to it, then he becomes a mean, base and sordid creature, no matter how successful." Letter to his son Kermit, quoted in Theodore Roosevelt by Joseph Bucklin Bishop, 1915
We're in the same boat. Just bought a 71 Sovereign that we've gutted. Ours is in a lot worse shape than yours...structural problems with the rear bath floor. And yesterday, while I was hosing out the remaining goop I found hair and teeth. But that's all behind me now.
We have big plans too. My husband used to build boats and I upholster things...that don't have teeth.
If 'n you ever get discouraged just come here to the forum. The people here are really helpful.
hi- welcome to the '72 club! I'm maybe halfway through doing a similar renovation, and there are several others here who have good threads on their re-dos. Read up on as much as you can here, get the service manual, and up the limit of all your credit cards- and have fun restoring your new American icon. See you in the threads- tim
Thanks for the responses everyone. So far, we haven't found any teeth Daisy. That's a bit scary, but we did find a 1965 Quarter?
We'll post more pic's soon!
Ron
I'm sure these pic's look familiar to many of you. She mostly gutted now except for the large credenza/cabinet thing. I'm going to replace all the plumbing with Pex this next weekend. Should be worth the work in the long run. I just ordered a new water heater and water pump to go along with the plumbing/pex replacement. Any recommendations? I'm not planning on using the crimp type.
After the plumbing is done, we should be ready to paint. Then finally, the fun stuff. Building new cabinets, wall dividers and the wrap around dinette!
Good luck on your project. I'm about to bring home a 1958 Overlander and feeling a little overwhelmed. I will be watching for your pictures. Think I may be in over my head on this one.
We're in the same boat. Just bought a 71 Sovereign that we've gutted. Ours is in a lot worse shape than yours...structural problems with the rear bath floor. And yesterday, while I was hosing out the remaining goop I found hair and teeth. But that's all behind me now.
We have big plans too. My husband used to build boats and I upholster things...that don't have teeth.
If 'n you ever get discouraged just come here to the forum. The people here are really helpful.
I have no flor isues but wow i never knew how much a mouse can infest a trailer till I ripped out my bathroom . OMG wow.
I had nests everywhere.
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1976 Airstream Sovereign International Landyacht (renovating)(found DOM plate said 1976)
1968 Airstream Caravel 17 footer
2004 Nissan Titan with BT package
K/N Cool intake air
Duel power exhaust
Woow, What a great looking trailer. I have a '65 Globetroter that I did in birch and teak. It looks like a wooden sailboat inside. I am now thinking about getting another little larger (25 Tradewind). You and Kip are inspiring me. I am also a surfer. All the best, Kenny
Hello and welcome from another memeber of the '72 Club! It looks like you have a really fun project ahead of you. I look forward to seeing pictures of your progress.
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Cameron & the Labradors
Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Canada
I just me Uwe today, who has a beautiful '63 that he has restored. He showed me around and I was totally impressed, and re-inspired to keep going forward with our restoration. The best part, is that he didn't follow the mold that most people have regarding restoring their Airstreams to the exact design that Airstream came out with. He had many challenges that he over came through his thread "A '63 for me" and has really inspired me to think outside the box. I can't wait to get past this plumming and painting stage to start re-designing. I'll keep you all posted!
Welcome to the forums and congratulations on your wonderful new Airstream. Remember that your "nasty" is someone else's treasure, don't throw anything out! Either post it on the classifieds, eBay or somewhere. Many people are bringing their trailers back to original and need the parts you do not want.
I look forward to seeing more pictures when you start the renovation.
Well it's been a few weeks, but the plumbing is finished now. I installed all new pex plumbing lines, a new Shurflo wate filter and an Atwood water heater. Here are a few photos of what's going on. Next up, we plan to paint this inside this weekend, put up some recessed lights and replace the center ceiling panels with either Stainless sheeting or Aluminum. Should be a long weekend! By the way, the pex was easy to work with!
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Should be fun! 
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