Visit our Popular Forums

59toaster · 09-28-2004, 12:53 PM

I have run across a person that has a 67 Overlander that was in marvelous condition till Ivan dropped a Oak tree on it.

Last 6ft of the coach is just absolutely destroyed. Some how the toilet survived but not much else back there. The Seam at the end cap to the body is ripped wide open. This was the elderly parents coach and they had just done a very nice clean up to ready it for sale including a polish. Not to mirror but nice and clean. It is a real shame. It was not insured unfortunately. The coach probably would have gone for $6k if it was as good as it looked in pictures.

My interest is in the appliances to get our 59 back together. Everything was working so in one shot it would get me the appliances I need to put our coach back into condition to Boondock. Ours was pretty well converted to a park as appliances failed over the years. What I didn't use I would offer for sale to others. The galley cabinetry looks great, Coucho and over heads all salvageable and would go quick. What remained would be a shell on wheels with no back end. I thought about making patch panels for others out of the sides and removing the front end cap that other then one dented segment that may pop out offer it for sale.

A second thought came to mind to cut off the bad and wall it and make it a play house for the kids or storage shed. Basically I could wall it at the end of the twins. Heck if I had a pool it could become an awesome pool house for changing. Just back it up to a fence. The awning is still usable even (but I am looking at cutting it down to fit our 59)

another thought was to make it a cargo trailer. Several have come though these forums since I have been here wanting to do that to pull behind their MH's. I figured if I moved the axles forward and cut off the frame where the damage area is and reweld the bumper on. Box the remaining frame to get more strength. Put a set of Barn doors on the back sheeted with the good skin I could salvage for the unsmushed side. I Figure with the strengthened frame and retaining the tandems it should be able to handle a couple motorcycles or a couple ATV's no problem. Could also become a bunk house for a large family. Back would not be the nice curved tail it once was but it would be functional

Not looking to make any huge money if I sold it, just to make it worth my time. I'm sort of leaning towards part storage shed part playhouse for the kids. I could use the space and I have a neat place to put it in fact.

Anybody have any other ideas to make use of a partly maimed coach to keep it from ending up being sold off for the aluminum?

swebster · 09-28-2004, 01:01 PM

What about finding another "clip" from a similar unit and putting her back together? Very common in the auto body biz.

Seriously, I like the shed idea.

markdoane · 09-28-2004, 01:48 PM

I like the shed idea too!

What about backing it up to the house, cutting a doorway, and using it as a guest room?
You could go camping anytime by just walking through the door!

And it would be a good place to retreat if the Chilipepper got upset with you for wrecking your truck.

59toaster · 09-28-2004, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swebster

What about finding another "clip" from a similar unit and putting her back together? Very common in the auto body biz.

Seriously, I like the shed idea.

Well thats down to finding another coach. That would b tree in the yard. Not sure the neigbors will put up with it. The sides are one piece from end cap to end cap. 4ft and 2-3 ribs would have to be replaced to get back to a area that doesn't look distorted. So then its seam it or replace a whole side. It could be done but it would take the time to find a simular vintage coach. that the front is bad enough to justify merging the two. Then is it cheap enough to make it worth my while.

Im trying to do this in under a month so the neighbors don't loose it. A Shed would under a weekend by moving it where I want it and tarp it till I can make a new end panel. Instant storage for the parts I want to use in the 59.
Reguardless it will be a shed for a month or two till I can salvage what I need and then out comes the sawzall if I don't recycle it.

59toaster · 09-28-2004, 09:00 PM

Here is the pictures. Makes you want to cry. Sure was a pretty coach. I underestimated how much was damaged.

JohnG · 09-28-2004, 10:57 PM

The cost of repairs would be more than it would ever be worth. Airstreams don't make good cargo trailers because of the monocular design, but I like the idea of a play house for the kids. Wouldn't take too much to close off the back-end.

greg176 · 09-29-2004, 07:18 AM

It doesn't look so bad.A little dry ice on that dent and it will pop right back out.

andyfuson · 09-29-2004, 05:23 PM

That reminds me, I need to find a "Have you hugged your Airstream today" bumper sticker!

Inland RV Center, In · 09-29-2004, 06:17 PM

Proves a point.

Airstreams "ARE" strong.

Andy

till · 09-29-2004, 06:55 PM

Toster,

I will help you out with funding this project. Skin panels can be used up here.

That is inside and out.

hhuber · 09-29-2004, 09:26 PM

Toaster
What a sight! It really was beautiful. I would think that the parts would be valuable to lots of people. Windows go for quite a bit. I know you cant use those in your 59. Seems like that would be the way to go. I know if I needed a window I'd pay alot for it.
Heidi

jay52 · 09-30-2004, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg176

It doesn't look so bad.A little dry ice on that dent and it will pop right back out.

ROTFLMAO!!!

Seriously, that is a shame, but I too like the shed idea.

till · 12-30-2004, 11:55 AM

Well that coach is in my driveway now (800 miles to the north and east).

I have an end cap that is going to be used to replace the toasted one. The window sheet on the street side will be cut out just rear of the rib. I will cut a section from my Ambassador in the same area just before the rib so I have overlap. This way the seam is on a rib and there will only be one extra row of rivets. The roof sheet is a little wrinkled but usable. (who is going to see it anyway??) The side sheet is usable also, a few minor blemishes are not going to bother me. I have the end cap shell in the Ambassador too, so it will be transferred.

I really wanted to keep the Ambassador, it seems to be an odd ball trailer. I know of very few around, so it would be very rare. But at this point I see getting the Overlander on the road easier. The whole project is under review at this time.

Tom Nugler · 12-30-2004, 12:28 PM

Currently on E-Bay, item # 4515184096, a reworked Globetrotter of indeterminite age with double rear doors covered windows and a reasonable? price. I guess anything is possible.
Tom.

mandolindave · 12-30-2004, 12:51 PM

How about keeping it a camper, with an open back porch? Put a porta potti in a closet. Maybe a bar and some stools. Call it a Tre Chic Hollywood Smoking Lounge. Your neighbors will be impressed, and your friends jealous.
I hear that they are going for big bucks.

59toaster · 12-30-2004, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandolindave

How about keeping it a camper, with an open back porch? Put a porta potti in a closet. Maybe a bar and some stools. Call it a Tre Chic Hollywood Smoking Lounge. Your neighbors will be impressed, and your friends jealous.
I hear that they are going for big bucks.

Till bought it last week and towed up to IL and plans to put her back together.

till · 01-06-2005, 07:21 PM

It turns out that the Overlander is FUBAR.

So it will be used as is over the summer as I repair the frame and floor of the Ambassador. Then the Overlanders interior and some of the exterior will go to complete the Ambassador to make my Ambassalander special.

Sorry, but to do it right is just too much for me and my wallet. That and I do not think it will ever look right after the rebuild.

59toaster · 01-06-2005, 07:28 PM

Bummer! I was hoping you hadthe parts needed.

Talk to me about the awning and the reefer.

till · 01-07-2005, 09:42 AM

I have a fridge from a 66 that I', going through. The awning is an A&E. The fabric looks worn at the mounting rail. I have a recipet that shows that it was installed in 1981.

I'll get together the information and PM you on it.

fly2havefun · 01-07-2005, 08:48 PM

Till~~~

I'm a bit confused as to what you'r going to do with this, but best wishes to you! I have a 68 Overlander that we just got last Spring. I love it.

Twin beds, back bath. If you are going to sort of "demolish" some of it, and part it out, let me know. I could use a few things for mine. If you want you can PM me. If 59 Toaster doesn't need the awning rails, let me know. I'd love to have an awning! What colors are inside? Bath, etc.? Thanks!