I just got this 62 Ambassador with a bunkhouse layout and have noticed a couple of things I'm curious about. I has sat for years and if everything is not origiinal at least it is old.
First, along with the other ID plates next to the door there is a plate riveted to the coach stamped 1964 that says "NAN Automobiles Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi.
Second, the bumper is extended with framwork welded on for not one but 2 spares. Could this old girl have been on a Wally Caravan in India in 1964?
I can't find any trace of red numbers as the whole trailer has been painted white but the serial number is 28TSSO306.
Earlier i posted a dozen photos under the new thread I started "My Fugly 62 Ambassador Bunkhouse" (which was also the first forum thread under the 62 Ambassor heading in the knowledgebase. For some reason I don't understand
the thread did not make it past the knowledge base to the "lastest discussiion listing, so I will post a few more photos below.
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To quiet slumbers when the day is o'er
And night above me spreads her spangled tent
Lit by the dying cresset of the moon
Ay, That's it I am homesick for the camp/ Boker
Last edited by Lumatic; 07-17-2008 at 03:10 AM.
Reason: more info
Notice the double level side windows that match up with the bunks. She also has hydraulic brakes with what looks like an actuator
__________________
To quiet slumbers when the day is o'er
And night above me spreads her spangled tent
Lit by the dying cresset of the moon
Ay, That's it I am homesick for the camp/ Boker
Nice find! I hope you are able to find out the history of the trailer, especially regarding the caravan. Post some interior pics when you get a chance.
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Steve "Centennial Man"
1966 Airstream Safari - Her name is "Aunt Bee"
Nice find! I hope you are able to find out the history of the trailer, especially regarding the caravan. Post some interior pics when you get a chance.
Here ya are pard
__________________
To quiet slumbers when the day is o'er
And night above me spreads her spangled tent
Lit by the dying cresset of the moon
Ay, That's it I am homesick for the camp/ Boker
Nice find. If you get a chance, post the pic of the selling dealer's logo.
The only thing I have seen that looks dealer is the plate I mentioned above that says "NAN Automobiles Bombay, Calcutta, India and is stamped with a 1964 date. It is painted over white, as is the whole exterior, and would not photgraph well.
I need to do some experimentation to figure out how to strip the white and leave the stuff underneath intact. Any suggestions?
The good news is no silicone worries. A PO used thick drippy tar instead.
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To quiet slumbers when the day is o'er
And night above me spreads her spangled tent
Lit by the dying cresset of the moon
Ay, That's it I am homesick for the camp/ Boker
I think you could use the same products that folks are using to strip clearcoat, and take the same precautions (tape over taillights, markers, etc.). RemoveAll is one of the popular choices, but there are many others.
That is one unique trailer. Obviously, the tongue was extended and the tanks moved outside the A frame but I wonder what the purpose was. Maybe to have increased access to the rear of the tow vehicle. Another odd set-up is the scare lights, there's one on each end and on on each side. Somebody was really paranoid or was planning on taking the trailer to really dark places.
That is one unique trailer. Obviously, the tongue was extended and the tanks moved outside the A frame but I wonder what the purpose was. Maybe to have increased access to the rear of the tow vehicle. Another odd set-up is the scare lights, there's one on each end and on on each side. Somebody was really paranoid or was planning on taking the trailer to really dark places.
Brad
FF
The only time I saw an extended tongue like this was a guy who mounted a genny. He said it made it track better too. Who ever did this did a real good job or it is factory special order. Could also be for a 3rd or 4th spare tire as the propane lines between the tanks are arched maybe to clear the spares. Did you also notice the 2 exterior mounted tractor batteries on the rear end?
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To quiet slumbers when the day is o'er
And night above me spreads her spangled tent
Lit by the dying cresset of the moon
Ay, That's it I am homesick for the camp/ Boker
Ohhhh, if only these babies could talk, the stories they would tell!
It'll be fun to see what unfolds as you go along ~
I would try a mild paint stripper to see if you can remove the white overcoating on the plates...something like Goof-Off or Motsenbocker's Lift-Off. Do you know if it is a latex or automotive-type paint?
Shari
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Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008
WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005)
AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
While this is not definitive evidence, I did check my copy of the WBCCI Caravan DVD compiled by the Vintage Airstream Club. A trailer very similar to the one that you have purchased did participate on the Around the World Caravan. This is what I discovered while watching the segments on the 1963-1964 Around The World Caravan:
India -- Part II Segment
A Bunkhouse coach appears early in the segment as well as toward the end.
The furnace flue is in the same location.
The curbside scare light is in the same location.
There is damage on the curbside just below where the segment curves into the roof.
There is an air conditioner or swamp cooler on the roof.
The tow vehicle appeared to be a white or light color Ford 4x4 pickup (standard cab).
The WBCCI number can be clearly seen in two scenes -- that number was #6472
Europe -- Part V Segment
The coach is again seen in two segments
A very good side profile can be seen when the coaches are ferried across a body of water on two barges lashed together.
What couldn't be clearly seen:
The rear of the coach was never clearly visible.
The front tongue area of the coach was never clearly visible.
The street-side was never clearly visible.
While not conclusive, this may provide some clues that may eventually help to answer the question. Fred Coldwell may have more detailed information in the history archives.
Good luck with your investigation!
Kevin
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Kevin D. Allen WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC/Free Wheelers #6359 AIR #827
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 VORTEC/4.11 Differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2 Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)
Would if fit the picture that there is a dealer's plate riveted to the shell from India stamped 1963?
Who can I contact about getting a copy of that DVD?
FYI The current sellers do not know anything about the coaches history other than they bought it in Long Beach CA
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To quiet slumbers when the day is o'er
And night above me spreads her spangled tent
Lit by the dying cresset of the moon
Ay, That's it I am homesick for the camp/ Boker
I, too, would like a working copy of that DVD. I bought one when they first came out oh so many years ago and it never worked properly in any DVD player I've tried it in. I've yet to see much of it.
As for this particular trailer's history and mystery, I can't wait to hear if this pans out to be the one in the DVD and on the caravan.
I, too, would like a working copy of that DVD. I bought one when they first came out oh so many years ago and it never worked properly in any DVD player I've tried it in. I've yet to see much of it.
As for this particular trailer's history and mystery, I can't wait to hear if this pans out to be the one in the DVD and on the caravan.
Brad
FF
Brad,
Did you see the article in a recent Vintage Advantage, where Forrest described a work around for the problem?
Bill
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Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
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