A new thread for a new trailer

[TooMuchTin]

I didn't know what a rare (small) group we were.

I just picked up my new (new to me) 1953 Crusier. Don't know much about it yet, so I am looking for information.

It has the original manifacture plate, and was made in Los Angles. The number is 6161, no other numbers or letters. The shell looks great for an original. Someone repainted the interior, but even where they didn't get the paint looked like a solid cream color, not zialtol (i know, spelling). The toilet room is original, the counter top is changed, a newer stove, and the refrig and heater are missing. Actually, everything on the curb side and the front sofa/table or what ever was there is missing except the the upper cabinet.

Interistingly, the interior, including the upper metal cabinets is almost identical to my 1953 Silverstreak Clipper. Gee, did all those guys work together at one time or what

I haven't taken the carpet off the floor, but I am sure my good luck with this one will run out.

Bruce

[RichardT]

Sounds like you got yourself a 52 Cruiser there.

Check out pictures of another at http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...ser/index.html

[51cruiser]

Welcome
Yes we are a small group but we are getting bigger. 4 more in the past year that I have seen.
I like the "desert sand" color of my interior where it was'nt repainted. We all like pictures.
Goodluck!
51 cruiser

[TooMuchTin]

Thank you both. My serial number sure falls within that range, and looks like that on with the Coke interior, damned if the pink doesn't say '53, but I know that isn't the most reliable source.

Yes, I would call the remaining original paint a "desert sand" solid color. So what gives with the zolitrol (i ought to look that up)?

Took up the carpet, and "real wood plank floor" and man is that floor shot. A lot of really bad patches. So, as much as I don't want to do it, I think this is a shell off. I have seen pictures of others doing it, but I really dread the idea.

I went out to take pictures, and the batteries died. A recharge and it's picture time.

Bruce

[uwe]

Originally Posted by TooMuchTin

zolitrol (i ought to look that up)?

Zolatone. See it at www.zolatone.com . If you end up at www.zolatoneaim.com, then you're at their automotive site, which is not the original zolatone that was being used by Airstream.
Congrats on your cruiser. Pics?

[85MH325]

All Airstreams were painted, usually either a mint green or a sand tan inside. Zolatone was a signficantly harder paint product that bonded better with the aluminum and doesn't peel off as did the standard paint. Zolatone is a "speckled" paint. Someone here with more knowledge can chime in (I'm not looking it up this morning), but Zolatone didn't see it's first use until sometime around 1960, perhaps a year or two earlier. Yours shouldn't have Zolatone.

Roger

[TooMuchTin]

I DID IT!!!!!! The shell is now hanging from the ceiling all by it's lonely, and the frame is in a different building waiting to be torn apart.

The process is pretty much as everyone has said here on the board, no eaiser that is for sure. Hidden rivets at the base of the ribs, behind the skin, holding the rib and belly pan together.

I am very lucky to be able to do this indoors. I was very happy with my lifting system. I used 3 all thread rods 5/8 dia. from the roof structure down through the vents. I ran (2) 2x6's the length of the tralier seperated by blocks keeping them on either side of the vents. Then I put additional blocks under the 2x6's and ran the rod through them with bolts and washers. I Kept tighting the bolts instead of a jack and once the hidden rivets were removed it came right off. I didn't do any cross bracing and it hangs very well.

Pictures to follow I hope.

Bruce

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by 85MH325

All Airstreams were painted, usually either a mint green or a sand tan inside. Zolatone was a signficantly harder paint product that bonded better with the aluminum and doesn't peel off as did the standard paint. Zolatone is a "speckled" paint. Someone here with more knowledge can chime in (I'm not looking it up this morning), but Zolatone didn't see it's first use until sometime around 1960, perhaps a year or two earlier. Yours shouldn't have Zolatone.

Roger

Actually, Zolatone was first used in 1953 trailers ~

Vintage Airstream Features

Shari

[ankornuta]

Originally Posted by TooMuchTin

I DID IT!!!!!! The shell is now hanging from the ceiling all by it's lonely, and the frame is in a different building waiting to be torn apart.

The process is pretty much as everyone has said here on the board, no eaiser that is for sure. Hidden rivets at the base of the ribs, behind the skin, holding the rib and belly pan together.

I am very lucky to be able to do this indoors. I was very happy with my lifting system. I used 3 all thread rods 5/8 dia. from the roof structure down through the vents. I ran (2) 2x6's the length of the tralier seperated by blocks keeping them on either side of the vents. Then I put additional blocks under the 2x6's and ran the rod through them with bolts and washers. I Kept tighting the bolts instead of a jack and once the hidden rivets were removed it came right off. I didn't do any cross bracing and it hangs very well.

Pictures to follow I hope.

Bruce

Wow, nice! Congratulations! I have a '58 Cruiser that I've lifted the body on.

Post some pics