Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-19-2013, 09:04 PM   #1
1 Rivet Member
 
Dobyns's Avatar
 
1978 31' Sovereign
Taylorsville , North Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
New to Airstream and need help with year of camper.

My friend talked one of his friends into selling me an old Airstream Sovereign. I have look it up and down and have not found a year of this camper. Comparing pictures on the web I think it looks like a 1968 but I really have no idea. The camper has been parked for longer than 5 years and I am not sure what works and what does not. Any advice is welcome. This is my first camper and I have a lot to learn.
Dobyns is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2013, 09:12 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
CanoeStream's Avatar

 
2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud , Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
Images: 19
Blog Entries: 3
Hello Dobyns - Welcome to the Forum!

Have you run across Vintage Airstream Photo Archives? For instance, go to the '68 Sovereign link to see if the photos match up with what you have. And it gets more useful when the pages have VIN info toward the top like the following:
Ohio | O(I) 30 8 J NNN
California | O(I) 30 8 S NNN
(5NN for double-bed layout)
(O prefix for Standard Landyacht options, I prefix for Int’l options)
Sovereign VINs change between years.

Other serial number info can be found at Airstream, Inc :: Serial Numbers

[on edit: uh-oh, that last link gets real skimpy for the years 1967, 1968 & 1969]
__________________
Bob

5 meter Langford Nahanni

CanoeStream is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2013, 09:14 PM   #3
3 Rivet Member
 
aireseneca's Avatar
 
1991 29' Excella
Akron , Ohio
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 161
Images: 6
Welcome, Dobyns!

I'm new too, but there are many, many experienced folks to help here. You've got your hands on a wonderful opportunity.

As soon as you can, post some photos and start listing things you might need to work on....lots of help to be had here.
__________________
Nancy and Paul..........TAC OH 34
Five Airedales and One Chocolate Lab
(no they don't all get to go in the AS at once!)
1991 Excella 29 foot w/ProPride 3P hitch
2006 Jeep Commander-V8 4.7L Tow package
aireseneca is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2013, 09:27 PM   #4
1 Rivet Member
 
Dobyns's Avatar
 
1978 31' Sovereign
Taylorsville , North Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
The ssn is J130C575. Is there a place I can match that up?
Dobyns is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2013, 10:38 PM   #5
4 Rivet Member
 
dirigible25's Avatar
 
1997 25' Safari
Yakima , Washington
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 424
Images: 2
Blog Entries: 1
go to www.airstream.com/service/serial-numbers

this may help.
__________________
Dennis

1997 25' Safari
2012 Chevy Silverado HD 2500
Duramax/Allison
dirigible25 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2013, 10:56 PM   #6
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobyns View Post
The ssn is J130C575. Is there a place I can match that up?
The "C" in your serial number is incorrect.

You have a 30 foot Airstream, made in Ohio, but the year part of the serial number is not there.

That kind of sequence relates to about a 65 or so.

Correct the number or post a photo of the side.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2013, 03:25 AM   #7
Rivet Master
 
SteveSueMac's Avatar

 
2012 27' Flying Cloud
W , New England
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7,402
(Hijack alert)


Dirigible - is that your tow vehicle?? Gorgeous!!
SteveSueMac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2013, 03:58 AM   #8
1 Rivet Member
 
Dobyns's Avatar
 
1978 31' Sovereign
Taylorsville , North Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by dirigible25 View Post
Looks like the number I found is not the serial number. Can someone tell me where the SN: should be located?
Dobyns is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2013, 06:42 AM   #9
3 Rivet Member
 
aireseneca's Avatar
 
1991 29' Excella
Akron , Ohio
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 161
Images: 6
Where was the number located that you found? The serial # is stamped on the frame curb side. If the PO painted the frame, you may need to sand the paint off. Can anyone narrow down just where on the frame is the first place to look?

We all love a mystery!
__________________
Nancy and Paul..........TAC OH 34
Five Airedales and One Chocolate Lab
(no they don't all get to go in the AS at once!)
1991 Excella 29 foot w/ProPride 3P hitch
2006 Jeep Commander-V8 4.7L Tow package
aireseneca is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2013, 09:54 AM   #10
4 Rivet Member
 
dirigible25's Avatar
 
1997 25' Safari
Yakima , Washington
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 424
Images: 2
Blog Entries: 1
Thank you, it is not, however I am building a 1937 Chevy P.U. that may be used on occassion to tow it to special events. The car is a '38 Chevy I built years ago, but just like the AS, it is a never ending project.

My actual tow vehicle is a 2012 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD with the Duramax diesel and Allison transmission. Click on my avatar (the Chevy Coupe) and you will see a picture of my TV.
__________________
Dennis

1997 25' Safari
2012 Chevy Silverado HD 2500
Duramax/Allison
dirigible25 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2013, 02:54 PM   #11
1 Rivet Member
 
Dobyns's Avatar
 
1978 31' Sovereign
Taylorsville , North Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
I still can't find a stamp vin. I did find a light that was stamped 86.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	image-3617686782.jpg
Views:	104
Size:	485.2 KB
ID:	184133  
Dobyns is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2013, 03:02 PM   #12
Moderator Emeritus
 
overlander64's Avatar
 
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna , Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,710
Images: 194
Send a message via Yahoo to overlander64
New to Airstream and need help with year of camper.

Greetings Dobyns!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobyns View Post
I still can't find a stamp vin. I did find a light that was stamped 86.
Looking at your photo, it appears that the plaque that should contain the VIN/Serial Number is attached to the side of the trailer. The cast plaque that is below the small window just to the right of the entrance door should have your coach's VIN . . . since these plaques can be subject to some pitting and corrossion, it can be helpful to thoroughly clean and then do a pencil tracing/etching across the plate to see if the the digits become clearer. The quality of the stamping of the VIN can vary considerably and the condition of the cast plaque can make matters worse in some instances.

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
overlander64 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2013, 03:45 PM   #13
Rivet Master
 
adonh's Avatar
 
1976 31' Sovereign
Missouri City , Texas
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,233
Images: 1
Blog Entries: 6
Good looking Airstream. Protect those windows, I don't think they are still available. Are the side windows all in tact like the ones shown in the picture. Enjoy the project.
__________________
Don Hardman
1976 31' Sovereign
adonh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2013, 03:24 AM   #14
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by adonh View Post
Good looking Airstream. Protect those windows, I don't think they are still available. Are the side windows all in tact like the ones shown in the picture. Enjoy the project.
All the opening windows for the 66, 67 and 68 trailers are available at prices far less than the 69 and up windows.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2013, 03:27 AM   #15
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobyns View Post
I still can't find a stamp vin. I did find a light that was stamped 86.
Your Airstream is a 1966 model.

The installation of the furnace and the type of windows spell that out.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2013, 08:49 AM   #16
1 Rivet Member
 
Dobyns's Avatar
 
1978 31' Sovereign
Taylorsville , North Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
Thanks to you all I got the right VIN J1306575
Dobyns is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2013, 10:31 AM   #17
3 Rivet Member
 
m.nolte's Avatar
 
1967 30' Sovereign
Fairhope , Alabama
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 232
Welcome Dobyns!
Nice to see another Sovereign joining the ranks. We have a 1967.
Based on your serial number I think you have the International model, 1966. The interior should be cherry and turquoise, maybe the full bed layout.
Be prepared, there is a lot of work involved and it is occasionally overwhelming but these forums are a great source of encouragement and if these folks haven't figured out how to do it, it probably couldn't be done anyway. Good Luck!
__________________
Melissa
m.nolte is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:48 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.