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Ganaraska · 08-27-2010, 06:30 PM

Believe it or not, in 1967 that hand crank antenna was the hot setup. If you wanted to watch TV the only thing you could get was programs broadcast in analog form from a tower , with a max range of 50 to 100 miles. No DVD, no VCR, no satellite, no internet, no nothing. And if you wanted to listen to the latest music it was on Top 40 AM radio stations or vinyl records. Nothing else had been invented, except FM radio but they only played the squarest classical music.

Aage · 08-27-2010, 06:43 PM

But you could get a lid of weed for twenty bucks, so none of that mattered.

At least, that's what I've heard ennawaze...

eubank · 08-27-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aage

But you could get a lid of weed for twenty bucks, none of that mattered.
At least, that's what I've heard ennawaze...

Ah, it wasn't twenty bucks in Austin. More like ten. But, then, you could also get a top-of-the-line Airstream for under $8K in 1967.

Lynn

BIGED52 · 08-28-2010, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aage

But you could get a lid of weed for twenty bucks, so none of that mattered.

At least, that's what I've heard ennawaze...

.....And I don't remember what the cost was but is was some real good weed. I still can't remember much more than that!!! LMAO! Ed

vhariable · 08-28-2010, 09:48 PM

It is actually funny that the talk of weed was discussed yesterday as, guess what I found this morning while removing the bedroom? I was even more careful once I started to find used syringes in the bedroom bulkhead also. I wonder how common it is to find such things when going through an old AS. The PO was a musician in the Austin area years ago, so big surprise!

What is/was the purpose of the plastic wheel well covers? Mine are in fairly bad condition and I'm wondering how/if I should repair that area.

Inland RV Center, In · 08-28-2010, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vhariable

What is/was the purpose of the plastic wheel well covers? Mine are in fairly bad condition and I'm wondering how/if I should repair that area.

The inner and outer wheel well covers, are like the walls, as they too, insulate the interior from the exterior.

They are also a weather barrier, from cold and splashed water.

If you will never tow the trailer, then you will not need the inside cover, unless it freezes outside.

To be safe and sure, I would suggest to fix them as they were originally intended.

Andy

vhariable · 08-31-2010, 01:20 PM

Andy: Thank you for the information. I didn't know if they originally had any structural strength, but seems like they were more of an element barrier from what you are describing. The original material seems very flimsy now, but I am sure I can find a way to fix them up. The skins in Chris's '72 seem much more sturdy: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f185...tml#post820172.

I had read another post (cannot find the reference now), that you had posted recently that encouraged strengthening the outer wheel well area, as I think it was the '74+ models had better structural support. Is there any more detailed information about this process.

Inland RV Center, In · 08-31-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vhariable

Andy: Thank you for the information. I didn't know if they originally had any structural strength, but seems like they were more of an element barrier from what you are describing. The original material seems very flimsy now, but I am sure I can find a way to fix them up. The skins in Chris's '72 seem much more sturdy: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f185...tml#post820172.

I had read another post (cannot find the reference now), that you had posted recently that encouraged strengthening the outer wheel well area, as I think it was the '74+ models had better structural support. Is there any more detailed information about this process.

I am not aware of anything posted about the 74 and up wheel well moldings.

Andy

eubank · 08-31-2010, 03:17 PM

The wall area above the wheel wells and below the windows on 30' rigs in 67 were kind of flimsy on structural support: Not a lot of framing under there. It's a cosmetic concern, though.

Lynn

rovercamper · 08-31-2010, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vhariable

It is actually funny that the talk of weed was discussed yesterday as, guess what I found this morning while removing the bedroom? I was even more careful once I started to find used syringes in the bedroom bulkhead also. I wonder how common it is to find such things when going through an old AS. The PO was a musician in the Austin area years ago, so big surprise!

Syringes, yikes! The PO of mine said if I found any money, weed, or booze in there I could go ahead a keep it

Didn't find anything though, darn it.

vhariable · 08-31-2010, 10:24 PM

Andy: Sorry, finally found the posting again: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f437...tml#post885713. Curious what the process is for modifying the wheel wells. I was corrected by another forum member that what I was mistakenly calling the inner wheel well is actually the outer cover (the tan/camel colored covers in my previous pictures). I also have the same ripple, but I think mine might be caused from rear droop. I will be addressing the frame and shell issues, but just wanted to see if I should also do anything to the wheel wells as you were mentioning in the post link above.

eubank: Yes, these seem very flimsy! Do you have any more pictures of your '67?

rovercamper: I found probably $1.63 in change, but could have lived without the used syringes and crack pipes.

eubank · 09-01-2010, 08:08 AM

Yes, we've got a couple of pics that include the Airstream. None of serious work on it, though. I'll attach them to this message.

If one or two of these look like the rig is nose-down, that's because it is. Oh, and these are all before the new axles, obviously!

Lynn

vhariable · 12-28-2010, 12:23 PM

I have been making slow, but steady progress on my '67 restore as time has been really limited over the past months. I always keep updates coming on the restoration blog: Project Airstream | 1967 Airstream Sovereign Restoration Project.

I recently removed the belly pan and am now moving back to the interior to remove the inner skin and then finally the entire floor. The plan is to then repair and POR-15 the entire frame before starting the actual restoration.

I am planning on tackling the skins first and want to strip all of the zolatone off the existing skins. I will go back with new zolatone and might mirror polish some. Is this project easier to perform with the panels on or removed? Also, for the areas that I know I will zolatone, is it easier to just sand off the existing zolatone or should I go through the entire process of chemically stripping off the existing product? The interior of the trailer is completely gutted and ready for action.

mello mike · 12-28-2010, 02:39 PM

I love the Turquoise colored bathrooms in the '67s. Good luck on your restoration and I think you made the right choice picking up the '77. It's nice to be able to use one while you restore the other.

vhariable · 12-28-2010, 02:48 PM

Well originally I was just going to take the awnings off of the '77 and then sale the trailer, but now I really like the style of the '77 also and will just wait to restore that trailer once the '67 is all finished. The '77 would need some work before it would be useable and at this point the '67 is priority. I guess it will really depend on how much progress I can make this spring on the '67!

vhariable · 02-12-2011, 01:15 PM

The AC is now completely off and was a fun little project to do by myself. I have not weighed the unit yet, but it was fairly heavy (I'm guessing 60lbs+). I lifted it off the roof by myself and set it on top of an 8' ladder and then onto a 6' ladder before it came to rest on the floor.

Here are some shots of the progress that was made on removing the vinyl. This is an easy task, but just time consuming. I have a pretty good process that involves two coats that works really well. We now have all of the vinyl off of the lower walls and just have the upper two panels to do the length of the trailer. Then we need to remove some of the left over residue, but that can be done once the panels are off.

I have the POR-15 product sitting hear waiting for that project. I will have some help starting next week and will be finishing up the vinyl removal, removing the clear coat, and then finally getting those inner skins off! It is going to be a busy week, but I should have a lot to report.

I have more pictures and information on our restoration blog: ProjectAirstream.com. I am going to try to be better about making sure this thread is current also as I want to get connected with others as someday soon we hope to start attending some rallies and meeting some of the great people on this forum!

vhariable · 02-23-2011, 07:13 PM

We have been making great progress and the shell was removed today. I was not originally planning on doing a shell off, but the original floor was so far gone and actually a lot of the c-channel that the shell sat in was not attached to anything. It should be much easier moving forward with the shell off. We used the bottle jack method like wasagachris recently did, but I will use a hoist next time for ease and safety. The '67 has the outer skins that keep going 6-7" below the floor c-channel so it had to be lifted pretty high to get enough clearance to remove the frame.

The frame is now sitting in the yard waiting for the welder to come tomorrow to replace the rear section of the frame that had extensive rust damage.

My dad had a funny idea. He thinks I should put a sign on the frame and pull it around town and hold some type of raffle to see if people could guess what type of trailer it is just from the frame. Maybe next time, but it would be funny to hear some of the guesses. Would probably need to paint the tongue as to not give it away to easily.

ND10CentCan · 02-23-2011, 08:13 PM

Welding people are in short supply up here so when your welder is done with your frame, please direct them up to us! We have had ours sitting without the frame since October and now both pieces are sitting in the snow. Good luck on your project.
Sandy

wasagachris · 02-23-2011, 08:28 PM

Condradulations I would say the job is half over now but I know better from my own experience. With the shell that high why not add more aluminium to the sides and put in a second story. LOL.

vhariable · 02-23-2011, 08:45 PM

ND10CentCan: Yeah, we have a great welder that comes out the day you give him a call! Maye he would be interested in a "vacation" in you area.

wasagachris: I actually had that thought when I was standing in there jacking towards the end. You don't see many trailers with 9' ceilings. I know you are right about the job being only half way done and can't wait to get the shell back on the frame ASAP.