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BIGED52 · 02-01-2007, 10:35 PM

Janet and Bob, I really appreciate the information on the Argosy and Minuet trailers. Ed

ViewRVs · 02-02-2007, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGED52

I see now that the Argosy was as wide as the Airstream trailer but were there two widths of Minuet and is that the reason for the 6 and 6.7? Or was that the length of the trailer. I'm very confused about this issue. Please help me to comprehend this better. Thanks Ed

I have 12 examples (and growing) of Minuet's on my site. I hope that helps.

kenny2 · 02-02-2007, 09:12 AM

This may be helpful. I have both a 1977 6 metre Minuet and a 1972 20' Argosy. I had these parked in my driveway and it is apparent that the Minuet is just that much smaller in height, width and length that it would fit INSIDE the 20' Argosy. Because of the height and width difference, I've noticed better mileage towing the Minuet.

BTW I second the motion on the rockgaurd. When I purchased the Minuet it had a broken streetside window which I repaired. Cost was $563 delivered to western Colorado.The repair was 3 or 4 years ago, not sure if you can still get windows. I had a padded rock guard fabricated to protect the window. it is attached w snaps and works great. Was about $200, much less than the factory one.

BIGED52 · 02-02-2007, 09:45 AM

Fred and Kenny2, That information helps to clear up a lot of my questions. I have a few more starting with were all Argosy trailers built with fiberglass end caps? Did they come in off white completely (like a big egg) as well as the two tone off white and tan that I have seen? Did the come in the off white and blue? What other colors were factory paint jobs? Could a buyer choose a color for the exterior from the factory? Thanks, Ed

CanoeStream · 02-02-2007, 11:38 AM

The panoramic wing windows are no longer available in clear glass. Believe I've heard you can get them in tinted only -- must work through a dealer. And Lexan would just be heartbreaking if one already has seen the perfection of the originals.

Let the sunshine in!

And BigEd -- the end caps are one-piece galvanized stamped steel. There tends to be some galvanism problems with holding paint at the junction of the aluminum and end caps. Yes, all were painted the same cream color. Trim & banana wrap paint tended to vary somewhat. Of course the sky is the limit on redoing one of these. There are some pics 'out there' of polishing the aluminum panels and cleaning the end caps to the nice galvanized color. Just search on 'Vintage Thunder' and you'll get all sorts of threads, maybe some with Rich Luhr's metallic blue refurb. Way cool. It was up on eBay earlier in 2006 -- never heard if it sold. Some owners remove the rear light bar (plastic & may be fragile; mine wasn't) and put on some vintage looking taillights.

Royce · 02-02-2007, 01:55 PM

BTW I second the motion on the rockgaurd. When I purchased the Minuet it had a broken streetside window which I repaired. Cost was $563 delivered to western Colorado.The repair was 3 or 4 years ago, not sure if you can still get windows. I had a padded rock guard fabricated to protect the window. it is attached w snaps and works great. Was about $200, much less than the factory one.[/quote]

Kenny2,

Do you have photos of your rock guard? The local dealer quoted 1K for the factory guard + freight + install.

Janet and husband produced an excellent PDF on altering the factory guard to fit the Minuet and were kind enough to send me a copy. I have been toying with the idea of making my own out of lexan and Al.

Royce · 02-18-2007, 09:32 AM

I am puzzled. When I first looked at the Minuet I noticed a small round vent well above the battery box. Thinking it was placed high to get a chimney effect and help vent the battery box it passed from concern. However I don't see where the battery box has a vent other than around the box door. Is this a vent or is it a clever patch? I did a search of the site and found no reference also don't see the same on the other Minuet photos. Your thoughts please. Photo attached.

Sorry for the sideways photo. forgot to upright prior to upload.

Royce · 02-18-2007, 09:41 AM

Here is an upright photo with the vent identified.

Argonaut20 · 02-18-2007, 04:50 PM

Looks like a vent to get some condensation out of the window area, or possibly a patch???? Patch for what? With the water pump and connections in this area and the umbilical coming in on that side, I suspect the condensation idea may be correct.

Anon · 02-18-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royce

Here is an upright photo with the vent identified.

I bet that is where the factory radio antenna was mounted.
Do you have speakers on the inside of the trailer near the wing windows?
How about a mess of wiring in the OH cabinet above the fridge?
It looks to be in the right spot for the antenna.

Royce · 02-19-2007, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pattersontoo

I bet that is where the factory radio antenna was mounted.
Do you have speakers on the inside of the trailer near the wing windows?
How about a mess of wiring in the OH cabinet above the fridge?
It looks to be in the right spot for the antenna.

Bet your right. Yes it does have a radio and one of the 4 speakers is almost directly behind that vent on the inside. Also thought maybe the PO had attempted to get a speaker outside by putting a vent behind the speaker. And I figured with a TV antenna the radio antenna would be combined but maybe not. Otherwise I am thinking the vent hides skin damage.

Royce · 03-14-2007, 11:10 AM

Yesterday had great success straightening the Minuet window. Before and after photos attached. Removed the sash, made a curved jig for the bench vise and carefully applied pressure. Only minor ripple on the far side. Before doesn't show but the sash frame had about an extra 1.5 inch of bow prior to straighten. Thanks to all the forum member that have offered advice and posted their process. Your help is allowing me to have success with restore of Opal.

Royce · 05-12-2007, 09:30 PM

Checked out the water system, yesterday. I expected to have a internal sprinkler system as nothing had been used for at least four years as near as I can tell. No leaks that I can find and the pump, and water heater work! Have one packing nut to replace on the bathroom sink hot side. Used a commercial system cleaner and sanitizer and refilled with fresh water. Can't believe my great good forturne.

Have removed two of the four major dents. Photos will follow.

Installed the Equal-i-zer hitch.

Only remaining issue is with the brakes. Get that solved and Hedwig will be ready for a road test.

Trip to Sante Fe next week end to update some of my work with a Gallery there. Wish we could take Hedwig (what we named the Minuet) but won't have time just a quick run down and back.

Royce · 05-28-2007, 04:10 PM

Brakes work! Had to run new wire. Magnets are both at the recommended 3 ohm resistance and look new. That was the last important item that needed taking care of. Took Hedwig out to test the system. We are campable!

Still have a lot of little nitnoid stuff to do. Expect that will always be the case.

Dan S · 05-29-2007, 09:24 PM

.....and the angry inch?

Royce · 05-30-2007, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan S

.....and the angry inch?

Now that's a puzzler. Had to go to Wikipedia to see what you were talking about. May now have to reconsider the what we have chosen to name the Minuet.

We chose Hedwig as the name for the Minuet because the TV is named Ptarmigian as it changes its plumage summmer and winter. Snowy owls chase ptarmigian and Hedwig was the name of Harry Potters snowy owl. Sounded good at the time.

Dan S · 05-30-2007, 08:04 AM

NO, it's a great name and even better play/movie.

cameront120 · 05-30-2007, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan S

NO, it's a great name and even better play/movie.

Agreed! Don't change the name!

Aria · 05-30-2007, 09:02 AM

1985air 345...Interesting. Did not locate this site before. Nice to know about ...if anyone is looking for a unit. Thanks

Royce · 06-19-2007, 05:44 PM

Replaced the table in Hedwig this afternoon. Removed non original particleboard disaster and replaced it with the proper wire bracket, and clips, mounted to a alder wood table. Stained to match the wood grain vinyl that is original to the Minuet. Glued up the table last week and put about 5 coats of tung oil on after a water base stain. Current production on the wire bracket is too large for the Minuet so with the help of a neighbor we resized the bracket to fit.

Removed 26.2 lbs and replaced it with 21.4 lbs. Net coach reduction in weight, 4.8 lbs. for the new table. (edit to correct the math)

I would like to know that the original table would have weighed. Any one have the original Minuet table they could weigh for me?