Well, after a few years of looking and passing on a few early Airstreams, I made the leap. I will be bringing this Safari home to the Atlanta from Arkansas area over the weekend of July 2-3. It's all there and in reasonably good conditon. I'll post restoration photos as progress is made.
The trip back from Russellville AR to Gainesville, GA yesterday was 641 miles door to door. I pulled the Safari with my 1997 Toyota T100 and while it didn't like the up hills much, it did a great job overall. The return trip was just over 11 hours. Those of you from north Georgia can probably relate when I tell you that the toughest part of the trip back was the last 35 miles...on 400 from Sandy Springs to the 369 exit to Gainesville. The most inconsiderate drivers on the planet must use 400 even on the weekends...
Anyway, I am very pleased with my new Airstream. It needs full restoration inside and I've started thinking about that. I'll be removing pretty much all the cabinets and take up the existing floor. I can feel some soft spots here and there and don't want to do a bandaid job on this so my initial plan is to work from the inside out. That said, I do need to figure out the jacking points so I can get it up on stands so I can check what's going on with the electric brakes. I had a controller installed in the Toyota and the signals indicated the brakes were working but I'm pretty sure I wasn't getting help from the trailer when stopping (I was rediculously careful on this point driving back from AR).
It seems this Airstream was sold new at Caswell's in Claremont, CA...
I'll post progress shots along the way. Hope to have it in usable condition (but not finished) before winter...
Jack
Hello Jack,
Very nice vintage Airstream Safari!
You noted that based on the placard the trailer was sold new in Claremont California on Foothill Blvd. FYI Foothill is part of the old US (route) 66. I live in an adjacent city, Upland, about 1 1/2 miles from Route 66.
Congratulations on getting the trailer home so the "fun" can begin. I am presently having a 1949 Trailwind restored and hope to have it road ready by Labor Day. Wishing you much success on your restoration.
Jack
There are 2 small squares just aft of the tires, these are the lift points on the main frame rail or some on the forum suggest it is better to use the axle mounting plates (NOT the axle)
Kevin - Thanks for the tip on jacking the Safari up. I only want to lift it when I work on the brakes and don't intend on putting it on stands for any length of time. I understand we're GA neighbors. I work in ATL but live in Gainesville.
Tom - The Foothills Blvd tip is significant news for me. When I get to the exterior work, I'll be sure to mask off what's left of the Caswell sticker and save it for nostalga. You also gave me an idea for an interior detail...I found some beige Route 66 wallpaper online whcih will go nicely with the textured aluminum walls. I may use this on the wood bulkhead area near the dinette...thanks for the tip.
Will post progress photos along the way. This Airstream was a good find and I'm glad I held off and found a good one. I almost jumped on a Globetrotter in NC last year but the interior had been gutted and it would have been a nightmare to restore and wouldn't have been correct I'm sure.
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