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scarylarry · 07-11-2011, 09:53 AM

I picked up a 1966 Safari off of ebay. After deciding we needed something a little bigger then the '48 Liner for longer trips & spending time in our friends Keith & Cathy's Tradewind I had an idea where we wanted to be size wise. So the ebay listing looked pretty good with a half dozen bigger clear photos, a great buy it now price for the condition & what I have been finding lately, a four hour ride from me, all good. BUT a dealer had it with the description being along the line of "own this piece of Airstream history" that was it!! Three days in and nobody bought it, what was wrong here?? Anyway, bit the bullet & bought it. Went to western PA & the camper was everything he said when we talked on the phone & was a nice guy. Came home with no problem & we are tearing into it. Here is the question before you lose interest with my long story...we pulled all the crappy lights off, all emblems so my polisher would have a clean slate to work with. He cut it & everything was looking good, when he came out the next morning there were spots "lifting to the surface". I was down to look at it (with no camera

) and that is I guess the best way to describe it. It was only in certain spots, weird. He was going to hit it again this morning & let me know what happens. Filiform? corrosion? on top? or all the way through? I report back here when we find out more, AND take my camera! Also the top corners are fighting him, but I've been reading up here on that situation & see it is not uncommon. I'd love to hear some ideas or if someone dealt with a similar situation & how you dealt with it.
The Safari will also get gray & black tanks, new Pex plumbing throughout, new AC, refrigerator, but will retain the same floorplan with some updates & hopefully interesting design twists...should look cool if it turns out like I think it will! Will post progress photos if anyone is interested in it. Thanks for all the great input & knowledge that is on this board!!

mimiandrews · 07-11-2011, 10:13 AM

Would be interested in more detail photos of the bunk bed, if it's convenient. Our '66 Safari looks pretty much the same except for that.

scarylarry · 07-11-2011, 10:31 AM

Sure I'll get to it when it comes back from the polisher. The bunk is coming out permanently.

InsideOut · 07-11-2011, 11:52 AM

My guess is it still has clearcoat on it...unless it was stripped, that's where I'd start. The "spots" could be from where the clearcoat has failed or worn thin and the polishing has "worked" whereas where the clearcoat remains, it hasn't or it is collecting the polishing compound.

The corner "compound curved" panels are going to polish slightly different than the straight panels regardless, they were made from a different alloy (softer) that allowed them to be shaped. Once polished the difference is not noticeable.

Good looking trailer though! I know a lot of folks would be interested in those bunks & the hardware if you decide you don't want them.

Shari

scarylarry · 07-11-2011, 12:03 PM

Thanks Shari, forgot to mention that it was stripped. The guy that is doign the polishing is a long time truck polisher, new to Airstreams, and does not pretend to know everything there is to know about doing them. He has polished several dozen over the past couple years, my Liner being the first & the guy is good. I'll know more tonight & will report back one way or the other!

robandzoe · 07-15-2011, 11:31 AM

You using 1st Impressions?

Nice looking rig!

Goal15 · 07-15-2011, 11:35 AM

Looks very clean inside. Nice find.

Grad67 · 07-15-2011, 02:02 PM

The bath floor plan is interesting compared to my 67 safarie. (see my blog)Would like to see more pics of it.

scarylarry · 07-15-2011, 07:39 PM

1st Impressions is doing the polishing and I think Chuck has it figured out. I'm out of town doing a show(antique dealer) so I won't see it finished until Sunday. Was down last night and this is where he has it. My Liner was their first Airstream, but Chuck does great work and always wants it right.

ddstech · 07-15-2011, 07:44 PM

I want the bunks! Been searching high and low for one. Would you be interested in selling them?

Matt

robandzoe · 07-15-2011, 07:55 PM

Chuck did our 1958 Sovereign of the Road last August.. great job!!

scarylarry · 07-15-2011, 08:02 PM

Matt I would. There is (1) bunk in the camper. Send me a PM.

Melody Ranch · 07-15-2011, 08:15 PM

I want to see the Liner....please?

scarylarry · 07-15-2011, 08:23 PM

Melody, I'm on an iPad in a motel room, so I'm not so good with copy/ paste. Do a search for "tube frame debate" here and there is a link for a YouTube video of it there. Tom said it isna 49 but it actually is a 48 .

scarylarry · 07-17-2011, 06:36 PM

Picked up the purty Safari from the polisher today...he DID get it figured out!! Kinda makes the Liner look like crap!! Now that needs to go for a touch up or may try to hit it myself...gotta learn sometime!
Now on to replacing a bit of wood, plumbing, new tanks, new flooring, new AC & refrigerator, and some other updates. I'll post as we go & will get back with the people that contacted me about the bunk, though I don't know the best way to handle who gets it! Would have to figure out the shipping before I promise it anyway. The frame is 6' or so long .

ddstech · 07-18-2011, 03:04 PM

Looks wonderful! As far as the bunk, the decision is pretty easy, sell it to me.

scarylarry · 07-24-2011, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grad67

The bath floor plan is interesting compared to my 67 safarie. (see my blog)Would like to see more pics of it.

I will start another thread on the updates on the Safari, but I did find a couple photos of the bathroom for you. Pretty much standard issue. Will do some freshening up.