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Blue Pearl · 02-01-2009, 08:53 PM

Like they say, You can't have just one. It was one of those, I always wanted a 68',everything fell in place and she's ours. We picked her up Jan. 10th, put new tires on before we towed her 150 miles home. She is now next to my store, so if I'm not busy I can be out working on her. We've named her the leaky tiki right now since we are looking for the sneaky leaks. I have ordered window gasket material and will be starting on that project next week. The great thing about living in the rainey NW is I can check my leak count daily

After the leaks we will address the few soft spots, hopefully not the full floor. This trailer had been well taken care of until the last few years when the PO had been unable to care for it. We are the 2nd owners. The PO had taken delivery at the California factory, and kept every record to the day we brought it. I even have the copy of the purchase check $7600.00. We are planning on keeping her as orginal as possible. It has the orginal bedspread and upolstery but damaged so we will change that, but I will make a scrapbook of everything that goes with the trailer to show history of the trailer. We are excited to be the caretakers of Nellie and Gene's playhouse.

Now for the pictures

When I figure how to do it?

Blue Pearl · 02-01-2009, 09:37 PM

Here are the pictures

goransons · 02-01-2009, 09:40 PM

wow!! Great find, nice to have all that history! I love the vista views above those 66-68 windows, such a clean look.

Blue Pearl · 02-01-2009, 09:56 PM

more pictures

Blue Pearl · 02-01-2009, 10:06 PM

Yes, I love the vista view windows and the living area is 7 1/2 by 9ft. Lots of room for grandkids sleepovers.

All the wood is real walnut and in very good shape. We even have a liquor cabinet next to the fold out table. Can't wait to fill that up

**Stefrobrts** · 02-02-2009, 12:01 AM

Beautiful! I can't wait to see it in person at a rally. The wood just glows in that night shot.

SteSpot · 02-02-2009, 01:35 AM

Congratulations and welcome to the Ambassador club. It looks like your trailer is in great original shape. Our 68 had a rotten floor in the rear bath and was not in good condition inside so we are in the process of having her completely redone.....hope to see you down the road.....maybe our trailers are sisters.....(ours was built in Jackson Center though).....pj

DEITZ645 · 02-02-2009, 06:09 AM

So Aluminitis claims another vicitm

. Not to make light of other maladies, but maybe we should have little silver riveted ribbon magnets on our tow vehicles to show we suffer from Aluminits.

Congratulations on number two...can number three be far behind???

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Pearl

All the wood is real walnut and in very good shape.

Are you sure it is walnut? I thought I read somewhere that they used mahogany wood in those years.

Another thing I have noticed on a few of the oder units is the addition of the owner's state of residence along the trim strip towards the rear of the coach. Does anybody know why this was done or is it along the same lines as lettering your trailer with the trailer's name etc...

danalee · 02-02-2009, 06:13 AM

Hi there, We are currently working on our 65 Ambassador. I wondered what that cabinet under the "credenza" was for. LOL We are keeping the cabinets but the old gaucho was removed so I have decided to take out the credenza and built in side table. Going to furnish it from Ikea. I am in the process of tearing up the old floor covering and the bath has to be removd and new flooring put in. I blog on Humzoo.com/dannie We have a "mystery" switch right above the "Cigarette" lighter in the kitchen, it doesn't stay "on" just flicks up and down and we can't figure out what it is for. Any ideas?

Silverhobby · 02-02-2009, 06:14 AM

You found a really nice looking trailer. The walnut wood looks very nice. The 1968 was the first year for the Airstream Control Central Control panel. Congratulations on your purchase.

3Ms75Argosy · 02-02-2009, 09:00 AM

That thing looks beeaaaauuuuttttiiffuuulllllll! Great find Teresa!
What do the boys think?
Marc

Blue Pearl · 02-02-2009, 10:42 AM

As to another airstream? My sister collects salt & peper shakers and floaty pens and I've not been big on collecting, I'll take that back, I only collect big things, chairs and Airstreams

. My daughter-in-law said they will have to do an intervention if I start looking for another airstream . But they just follow me home

.

We have the 1968 sales brochure and it says the wood is either natural Ash in the Landyacht or american Walnut in the International. It is dark, I think that Nellie kept it polished with panel new which darked it over time. If anyone would like a copy of this sales brochure, I can get it copied. 32 pages of 1968 advertising and information. You know, the 1968's have the "all-fiberglass penthouse bathroom with the movie star mirror"

.

No rain today.

When you want to see if you have leaks IN WON'T RAIN. Oh well I'll finish taking all the

staples out of the floor.

BIGED52 · 02-02-2009, 02:01 PM

Teresa, I know your paperwork is correct as my International trim package also came with Walnut wood cabinets. I need to repair the finish on them and light sanding and restoring the finish will be required to bring them all back to a matching color. One side of the galley sink cabinet was badly bleached out from years of sun/uv damage as it was parked in one spot and didn't move from 1986 to 2004 when I bought it from the PO. Ed

danalee, That switch is probably to turn off/on the water pump so you don't hear it pressurizing the water system at night... Ed

danalee · 02-02-2009, 02:38 PM

The mystery switch is definitely for the water pump-thanks guys, Ididn't have a clue. We are making progress now and I took her for a 5 mile trial run. So far so good.

BIGED52 · 02-02-2009, 04:23 PM

Glad we could help. My wife is from Fayetteville so I was required (so to speak) to offer help...LOL! Just kidding... I'm always ready to help in any way I can. Ed

Blue Pearl · 02-02-2009, 10:12 PM

Steph, We hope to have her done for the 4th of July in Vernonia Rally. We just got the refrigerator going on both gas and electric tonight

Just saved big bucks

Now for the water system checkout, we know we'll do pex's on incoming water system since we have some water hose plumbing going on. Tons of fun!!!

Blue Pearl · 06-19-2009, 10:07 AM

Not going to happen for the 4th of July. As we all know, life gets in the way of airstream renovation. Finally got a shop to put the trailer in so we have started polishing and sealing. The floor is repaired. I've started the interior, new cushions, window coverings, and picking out a floor. I'm thinking of vinyl tile cut to 9"x9" in a couple of colors to match in with the awning and interior colors. Browns, lime, and a touch of yellow, Sounds like 1968.

Blue Pearl · 12-10-2009, 10:18 AM

Update, We got Nelli Sunshine finished in August and traveled over 2000 miles around Oregon and Northern CA in Aug and Sept. Had lots of fun. Took her back to show the original owner on his 90th B-Day. He and his daughter loved showing her off at the lyh. This has been the highlight of what vintage Airstreaming is all about for us. The love continues for this Ambassador. The trailer is back in her shop for the winter getting some interior adjustments and repairing the black water pan (lucky we didn't leave it on the freeway in eastern Oregon.

Here are some pictures from Aug. & Sept.

pbearsailor · 12-10-2009, 11:52 AM

Beautiful, Teresa, just beautiful!!

I've just made contact with Island Girl's 92 year old original owner. Sure hope we can take her for a visit with her like you did. Still lots of work before we can, though.

Glad you got Nelli Sunshine out and camping so much this year.

steve