Hi. New BC member Intro '62 16' Bambi, pics link & with questions

[SusanC]

Hello, I just came across your member introduction section, although I registered about a week ago.

Found my Bambi about 3 years ago, and traveled to California from BC to look; ready to buy. A wonderful summer vacation during my 2 months off. I'm a school teacher, woodworking mainly, and am fairly handy, learned from other experiences.

I'll never forget that first trip. So much fun, transversing the California and Oregon Coast, and through Washington; just me, Bambi and my dog, Sybil. No schedules, no looking for hotels (which always seem to have those hard beds), etc. Could just stop and go whenever I felt like it.

Since then I've spent enjoyable, manic days and nights working on Bambi, then fell ill for almost a couple of years. Now I'm back at it, but as a newish homeowner do get diverted by numerous household diy projects.

This site is so wonderful! I've asked a couple of questions when numb-tired and replies were kind, pointing me in the right direction.

My Bambi: I have, and have ordered just about everything I need to complete the "restoration" (if I can call it that - made it attractive to me but didn't go overboard I think), thanks much to this site and link to Vintage Trailer Supply. I'm in a small village, Chase, BC, and need to get most supplies by mail order.

Here's some pictures of my work so far (and as found):

sec08's photosets on Flickr

I've just added some details/explanations to the "interior set." And would have preferred a cork tile floor as afterthought, but what's done is done. Any comments are appreciated! Would you consider the interior a revamping, or staying fairly close to the period, i.e., a restoration? Bambi's insides were painted as found.

One more question
After looking high and low on the 'net, I just contacted a dealer in Airstreams, to see if I could have a cast made of the Bambi Script, which somebody liked enough to steal shortly after I got home. Aarrghh. The dealer said it would be an infringement on Airstream and there could be a lawsuit from Airstream to have it cast. Does anybody have an idea of who might have one, or cast one for me, if I get the go ahead from Airstream? I just need one, it's not as if it's going to be marketed. It just can't seem complete without that little bit.

Well, I don't have a lot of other questions as yet, as with a little searching, there's so much super info here.

Thanks to all who have helped me unknowingly! & I hope to be able to contribute as well.
SusanC

[AirstreamGypsy]

Sounds as though you've already put Bambi to good use. I have a '61. If you're ever down in SW Colorado come on by.

Hope you are able to find the "Bambi" casting. I agree. Looks bare without it.

[cameront120]

Welcome to the forums! Nice to see another BC resident. Be sure to post pics of Sybil in the pet section!

[TBRich]

Welcome to the Forums...aren't the small ones just great?? There is a huge "cute" factor with them...glad you could join in and happy you are enjoying your little house on wheels...

Ease on down the road...

[SusanC]

AirstreamGypsy,
Thanks for the invite to stop by; you never know. . . .(from your icon the territory looks much like the nearest city to me, Kamloops complete with sandy mountains and sagebrush. Thanks for the good wishes on finding that Bambi Script: going to start placing wanted ads all over the place once again, such as eBay, Kijiji, Craigslist and anywhere else I can think of. Thanks for the welcome and encouragement.

[SusanC]

cameront120,
You are about 5 hours away from Chase. Do drop by if you ever come out this way. The big event here is the nearby Salmon Run to their ancestral spawning grounds along the nearby banks of the Adams River. Happens every 4 years. The next big run will be in 2010 during September and October. The people here mostly enjoy boating activities and golfing. Lots of RV Parks around. Courtesy parking at a nearby store.
Love your sweet Labs. Sybil would love to play with them, and yes, I will certainly post a good picture of Sybil; for now here's one of her wrestling with my cat, Cricket. Sybil & Cricket on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Thanks for the warm welcome.

[SusanC]

TBRich,
Yeah, definitely got "sucked in" by the cute factor. Was still surprised when stopping during trips, of how so many people admired Bambi, young and older, & wanted to know more & to look inside. While traveling it really sunk in how so very well layed out such a little trailer is. Lots of storage space, etc. And yes, I love thinking of it as "my little home on wheels;" perhaps stems back from when we were kids into building forts . . . Thanks for the welcome, much appreciated!

[cameront120]

I've been to the Adams River many times. My uncle used to take me up every year when I was a boy. I grew up in Kelowna and used to do a lot of flyfishing in your neck of the woods.

[safari57]

SusanC

Welcome to the forum. You have a couple of forums members in your area. Glenn is one of them and he is located in Salmon Arm. Another is located in Kamloops.

Not sure if you are aware but there are a couple of events coming right up that you may find of interest. One is a vintage Airstream event held near White Rock (at Hazelmere camp ground) the 8th to 10th of August. Right after that on the following Thursday to Sunday there is a Tin Can Tourists event at Deming, WA (ten minutes from Bellingham, WA)., which is about 40 minutes from White Rock. Both should be on the Rally list on this forum. I know the WBCCI BC group are pretty active, camping through out the province. There are several Forums members who participate in both events and also quite a few Airstreams that show up at the TCT event.

Barry

Barry

[SusanC]

Originally Posted by cameront120

I've been to the Adams River many times. My uncle used to take me up every year when I was a boy. I grew up in Kelowna and used to do a lot of flyfishing in your neck of the woods.

Don't know much about fishing or flyfishing, but the smoked salmon recently given to me by a First Nations person wasn't as good as it used to be. I lived in Kelowna back when Western Star was operating there, working in the factory many years just for I decided to go back to school; was back recently what a change. It's huge.
Happy fishing,
Susan

[flyfshr]

WOW, Susan. You have done a remarkable job of refurbishing/restoring your Bambi. Nice work indeed. I love it. Good luck on finding a replacement Bambi script. I can't imagine why someone would steal yours.

Welcome to the forums. We're glad to have you aboard.

Brad
FF

[SusanC]

Hi Brad. Thank you. I absolutely love your fine Tradewind! - it has a nautical feel to it to go with your fishing, with all the lovely polished wood & the ship clocks . . .
And your other images . . . Did you polish your trailer yourself? You've an image of aircraft stripper; I've just started polishing some small parts:, window frames and a grill. First Circa 1850 stripper, then wet/dry 400x paper, then small brass bristle brush with some Nuvite F7, C, and S. It is taking sooo long. Did you use any acid/metal etch? (I searched the site "metal etch" but didn't find any matches).
And, yeah, the Bambi script was stolen within days that I first brought Bambi home. I guess somebody liked it enough to do that. But, got a reply a few days ago to my wanted ad! A fellow has made aluminum casts, and would I like to see a picture? Hasn't got back to me yet. Cross your fingers for me!

Thanks again,
Susan

[CaddyGrn]

Welcome to the forums!

We have a 1963 Bambi and just love her! Ours was a complete frame off restoration, but didn't keep everything original.... new wiring and up to date so we can actually run power other than a single light! A new faucet at the kitchen sink that is much more useful. New tires, axle, and safety items. Other than that all our appliances, etc. are original and in very good condition. We love that they are simple and work without draining the battery! After a couple of years since restoration, hubby just finished putting in a gray water tank for the sink... this weekend we will try it out for the first time! It did take up some space, but it was back in an area where stuff just shifted around and got "lost"... so it is a much better use of the area!

As to your question of what is better? Restore or upgrade? It is personal preference. Everyone personalizes their trailers and I am not sure it makes a huge difference on resale value. The value is in the size, weight, and safety issues. The other stuff is just "fluff" and can be changed by others if they purchase your trailer at some time in the distant future.

If you have questions on repairs, etc. Check out my hubby's restoration thread if you haven't found it yet... he has lots of pics and how-to's on items. You can find it here: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...mbi-17925.html

Good luck on your sweet Bambi and post lots of pics! We love pictures here!

Mrs. NorCal Bambi traveling in S Tardis ~ from the Great State of Jefferson
My blog: Yreka History

[SusanC]

Hi CaddyGrn,

Thank you for the welcome and note! I’ll reply to you more in your mailbox.

Susan C

[Gerr]

Welcome to the forum. Your Bambi looks great. Nice to see another vintage unit in BC. The two events Barry mentions are great events. Lots of fun and so many trailers to view. I highly recommend both if you can make it. Even though the TinCanTourist event is an all make vintage event there are lots of Airstreams to look at.

[flyfshr]

Hi Susan ~

The Aircraft Stripper was used on the interior to remove several layers of paint including the original Zolotone. This stuff is "big nasty in a can" and I cannot caution you enough of its ability to eat through almost anything. Funny, it doesn't harm aluminum at all.

As for the polishing, yes I did that myself and it several years ago and it needs a going over again to get it back to the shine it was in most of those photos. I hope to get to it if and when it ever will cool off enough here so the polish won't dry on contact.

Keep at it, you'll get to polishing soon enough and once you start, you have to finish.

Brad
FF

[SusanC]

Hi Barry
Thanks you! I can't wait to go to a rally, but just can't this year. Something to look forward to next summer!

[SusanC]

Hi Brad,

Yeah, now I recall that after gutting Bambi, stripping the paint off the panel retainers was much more of a job than it should have been. That's because under the paint was some Zolotone overspray, or more likely in the factory the retainers were installed before the Zolotone was completely dry. Anyway, I am fine with the polishing now, that is, resigned that it will take time, but will be worth it. Will look into a clearcoating afterwards.
Thank you,
Susan