Today I picked up some stainless steel hardware on my way home and couldn't resist checking it for fit. It's not quite original looking but I don't think anything will be falling off soon. (Does it classify me as insane that I CLR'd and Q-tipped the lens to get the rust stains off?).
I was going to make a curbside stringer to replace the mangled section just above the wheel arch but it's nearly 8' so would be messy with my small brake (30"). Instead I bought some 3/4" x 1 1/2" channel from PrincessAuto and notched it to fit, tomorrow I'll see how it works when I change the panel out.
Kind of unrelated but 'm seriously impressed by my outdoor cat Bob; maybe it's because there's nowhere for the mice to go with the new belly pan but she's not going hungry!
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preparing for the maiden voyage in 2010...
Bob looks like a cool cat and I don't think the quality of work you do will ever get you classified as insane around here.
cheers,
steve
of course the people that live on the "inside", within the walls, never believe they're insane . . . and these little yellow pills they give me haven't stopped me from enjoying your work.
Lots of progress made and it came out OK in the end!
Saturday was a long, long day getting the curbside panel up and partially riveted. It took longer than I expected as there was quite a bit of messing around with rib and stringer alignment, but of course you only do it once (at least I hope so). I suspect having a badly dented panel and stringers does affect the template process somewhat, well that's my story...
Today we finished up the riveting, except where I need longer rivets, olympics, wheel trim, and another bucking tool that I hope are still in the postal system somewhere.
3 small patches were taken care of (all standard looking circles) and the street side lower window that I cut in a few days earlier.
Loran "Pinecone" and his wife came over to check out Bob the ships cat and sneak a peek at the trailer. It's great to meet new people and hear what they have planned for their project. Loran had some pictures of their Travelux which looks very cool so I'll have to make a little pilgrimage. (He also mention a 40's model, maybe a Clipper, a mere 35 minutes away....).
Jenny, my lovely Airstream brainwashed girlfriend, cleaned lots of the window glass up and I have to admit it does feel much less like the trailer of choice for a serial killer now. Still now I need to rebuild the Jalousies with some new hardware & glass and it doesn't look easy!
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preparing for the maiden voyage in 2010...
The panel looks terrific. Nary a wave, let alone a wrinkle.
The jalousies really take time. Mine were loaded with wasp nests, lizard eggs and who knows what else. Plus, most of the glass panes were broken or cracked. All the gasket material was shot. I opted to drill out the rivets and remove them so I could work at table height. It took an entire day.
I've been doing some searching on tail lights, mine are cracked and missing some cracked bits, it seems there's 3 choices:
A- new Bus type 7" LED's
B- back ordered Bargman 99 lenses
C- modify an LED unit to fit the 99's
I was wondering is there is an option D, namely something similar, also vintage/ retro looking but that has already been altered for LED's or maybe just one that is new and bright? I like the Reflect-O-lite from VintageTrilersupply and thought maybe someone had figured out a new mounting plate for them?
My choice would be the 99's or Reflect-O-Lite but I'd love a bit more built in safety.
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preparing for the maiden voyage in 2010...
Keep an eye on ebay. That's where I picked up my 99's. Seems like they do come up with some regularity. The ones I got were brand spanking new though I thought I was buying used.
Okay, I am going to plead my case and I am sure there are a few that will disagree with me...
I am old school in my thinking. Yes, brightness and safety... yeah, I know the pros. But for me, and this is my opinion, I like them stock. They put out enough light and they are period appropriate. You have a truly classic vehicle and it should look that way. When I see a vintage rig with LEDs, it just does not look right to me. I have the original Bargrams with filament bulbs and they light up just fine for me. The red lens on the licience plate holder glows too.
Okay, I am going to plead my case and I am sure there are a few that will disagree with me...
I am old school in my thinking. Yes, brightness and safety... yeah, I know the pros. But for me, and this is my opinion, I like them stock. They put out enough light and they are period appropriate. You have a truly classic vehicle and it should look that way. When I see a vintage rig with LEDs, it just does not look right to me. I have the original Bargrams with filament bulbs and they light up just fine for me. The red lens on the licience plate holder glows too.
I am with Frank on this one. LED's on a vintage trailer makes them look. er, less vintage.
This is the back of my 62' Safari, which I polished (again) on the way to R1R and VTJ. The lights are plenty bright.
Lights not on, but shiny!
I am with Frank on this one. LED's on a vintage trailer makes them look. er, less vintage.
This is the back of my 62' Safari, which I polished (again) on the way to R1R and VTJ. The lights are plenty bright.
Lights not on, but shiny!
let's face it Gary, It's a 62 thing and they might not understand...
Truck, the blue dots are a hot rod thing from the fifties. A cut blue glass gem is put in front of the bulb and the glow from the blue mixes with the red to create a bright purple center. Not sure if they are allowed in Alberta. Not too sure they make all that much difference either. I just look at my girl as a hot rod....
I was considering using LEDs for my exterior lights, but ultimately decided against it. I, too, think the look just a little too contemporary for a vintage trailer.
But, others have done it, and well. At the end of the day, it's your rig.
I am doing my best to keep the exterior looking as original as possible, while taking some MAJOR liberties with the interior.
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Really looking good and you've made a whole lot of progress in not a lot of time.
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