Hello from SPEED/Top Gear on History in our 73!

[Rutroe]

Hi everybody,

Very glad to find the forum...I travel with the NASCAR circuit for my work on SPEED, as well as I'm one of the hosts on Top Gear on the History Channel, and I love almost anything with wheels.

I've admired Airstreams for years and my wife and I decided we should find one so that she and our two young daughters can hopefully travel with me to some of the races this year.

I stumbled upon this trailer on craigslist this week about 20 miles from me in GA. I had to dig it out of the hole it has been sitting in for the past 20 years, but after some air in the tires and a very slow drive home, we made it.

It's a 1973 Ambassador 29ft with twin beds and a rear bath.

Here's a couple pics as it looked when we got it home.







And after two different pressure washers not working on me, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I still need to grab a ladder and scrub up top, but it cleaned up pretty nicely.







I've got lots of questions and I'm hoping I can find a good FAQ section and read up. The inside is beyond nasty and we need to totally gut it. I've got a dumpster and a smile, as well as a good mold respirator, so we're raring to go.

Thanks for having me!

[cosmotini]

Congratulations!

Let me be the first to say -- Your axles are shot!

And welcome to the forum.

[Dave Park]

Top Gear presenter? Wow, we're keeping some good company. We'll probably see this trailer win a game of "trailer conkers" in a future show... Or converted into a space shuttle - since the US doesn't have 3-wheeled cars like the British Reliant Robin.

Welcome.

[Grand Master]

Welcome from an Airstream aficionado, and Top Gear fan. I have watched Top Gear on BBC from the first episode, and now follow the US Top Gear. Your guys are off to a great start.

You can find much info right hear of the Forum, and there are many "experts" to offer advise and opinions.

Whether you want to do it yourself, or find a quality Airstream restorer, you will be able to get pointers here.

Good luck with your new series, and "we'll see you down the road".

[safari62]

Originally Posted by Dave Park

Top Gear presenter? Wow, we're keeping some good company. We'll probably see this trailer win a game of "trailer conkers" in a future show... Or converted into a space shuttle - since the US doesn't have 3-wheeled cars like the British Reliant Robin.

Welcome.

Speaking of space stuttle conversions....well, that's already been done, but I would not let that Top Gear crew get too close to your trailer from what they have done to a few on the show.

[Dave Park]

YouTube - top gear robin space shuttle launch

Embarrassingly, this is the highest altitude ever reaches by a British Aeronautical and Space Administration rocket-car!

YouTube - BBC: Caravan Conkers! - Top Gear

To explain "conkers" to our American counterparts...

[JackMac]

Looks like a pretty nice trailer. It's amazing what a little water will do!
If I can answer any questions or be of any assistance, send a message. I'm not too far from you.

[Silverwanabe]

Hi Rutlege,

Welcome to the Forums and congrats on your first Airstream.
This is the site for all things Airstream.

What is your tow vehicle?

On your show, the Buick Roadmaster would have been a cool tow car.

TV show is cool.

[ASwifey]

Welcome to the forums! You'll get all the information you need to refurb your trailer here.

We love the new show, as longtime viewers of the BBC version we were kinda skeptical, but ya won us over.

Good luck with the trailer, remember to post lots of pictures, we love pictures!

[Grand Master]

Rutledge,

Wear this jacket to your first Airstream Rally, and you will fit right in with this crowd.

[Mexray]

Rutroe....welcome to the 'pack' of AS'ers...

We got a similar AS, a few years newer, but with a similar floor plan as yours...

On this thread, I've shown some of the stuff we've done to our 78 Ambassador, twins/rear bath:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f173...tml#post925376

With regard to the remarks about your old axles...I've changed ours - see post #18, etc...if you compare the way your tires 'ride' inside your fender wells with the pics of ours, after the axle change, you can get an idea of how much yours have 'sagged' over the years...

Here's the same shots that I've increased the brightness on so you can see the TOP of the tires being visible - you can see the original pics on that same thread noted above...

Looks like you've got a 'fun' project ahead - try to keep in mind; It's the 'journey', not the 'destination'... lots of 'fun' to work on, and few of us are ever entirely finished, as we discover new stuff to do from other forum members here...

Enjoy...

[Mexray]

I found a BEFORE pic of our AS when we picked it up and you can see the axle 'sag' on the 30 year old axles...

[exthemius]

Welcome to the forums....loved topgear uk for years and years (seen literally every episode) and just got into the american version (to be honest it took a few episodes, but new I'm hooked). Anyway, keep the stig in line on this side of the pond -- we don't want any of that soap opera here!

[rebelstand]

Welcome! We somehow missed the premiere of Top Gear US (long time UK Top Gear Fan), we just spent several nights catching up. It seems like you guys are getting into the groove.

Just one request. If you decided to do Caravan (RV) Racing.. please no airstreams....

For those who have never seen it (and it's great):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohkAxbeMxVo

[mello mike]

Good luck and welcome to community. You've come to the right place for information and advice. The vintage owners have all been where you are now. Just remember that this process is a marathon not a 40 yard dash. Take it one project at a time or everything will appear overwhelming.

[Dave Park]

Sooo, what do you want to do with this Airstream?

[Bird's Nest]

Welcome.
My 18 year old son is a Top Gear fanatic and we live in GA too.
He loves cars. He currently drives a silver 2004 GTI VR6.
He has been carefully adding mods since he got it a year ago.
He is not too keen on Airstreams as he is 6'4" but a GTI fits him great because they have such a generous cabin.
I will have to share your posts with him as I know he will want to keep up on your progress. He may not like camping in an AS but he does have an interest in restoring one. He sees the possibility of $$$ and he always wants to improve his mechanical skills.
There are two rallies in GA. Late May (TAC @ FDR SP)and early April (Springstream). People stay in AS's in all manner of repair and disrepair, SOB's and even in hotels at Springstream. I have never been to a TAC rally so I am not sure of their rules.
Rallies are a great source for ideas and inspiration.

[Aviator]

Rutroe,

Welcome to the forum. I am in PTC as well. If I can be of any help, just send me a pm.

[exthemius]

Originally Posted by Bird's Nest

I have never been to a TAC rally so I am not sure of their rules.
Rallies are a great source for ideas and inspiration.

WE HAVE NO RULES!!!!! Come one and come all!

[AirEPotter]

For us newbies please decipher TAC and PTC. Thanks