|
04-19-2013, 09:04 PM
|
#1
|
1 Rivet Member
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.
|
|
|
04-19-2013, 09:12 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
|
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]
|
|
|
04-19-2013, 09:14 PM
|
#3
|
3 Rivet Member
1991 29' Excella
Akron
, Ohio
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 161
|
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
|
|
|
04-19-2013, 09:27 PM
|
#4
|
1 Rivet Member
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?
|
|
|
04-19-2013, 10:38 PM
|
#5
|
4 Rivet Member
1997 25' Safari
Yakima
, Washington
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 424
|
__________________
Dennis
1997 25' Safari
2012 Chevy Silverado HD 2500
Duramax/Allison
|
|
|
04-19-2013, 10:56 PM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobyns
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
|
|
|
04-20-2013, 03:25 AM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
2012 27' Flying Cloud
W
, New England
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7,402
|
(Hijack alert)
Dirigible - is that your tow vehicle?? Gorgeous!!
|
|
|
04-20-2013, 03:58 AM
|
#8
|
1 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
Taylorsville
, North Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dirigible25
|
Looks like the number I found is not the serial number. Can someone tell me where the SN: should be located?
|
|
|
04-20-2013, 06:42 AM
|
#9
|
3 Rivet Member
1991 29' Excella
Akron
, Ohio
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 161
|
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
|
|
|
04-20-2013, 09:54 AM
|
#10
|
4 Rivet Member
1997 25' Safari
Yakima
, Washington
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 424
|
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
|
|
|
04-24-2013, 02:54 PM
|
#11
|
1 Rivet Member
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.
|
|
|
04-24-2013, 03:02 PM
|
#12
|
Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,710
|
New to Airstream and need help with year of camper.
Greetings Dobyns!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobyns
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
|
|
|
04-24-2013, 03:45 PM
|
#13
|
Rivet Master
1976 31' Sovereign
Missouri City
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,233
|
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
|
|
|
04-25-2013, 03:24 AM
|
#14
|
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by adonh
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
|
|
|
04-25-2013, 03:27 AM
|
#15
|
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dobyns
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
|
|
|
04-25-2013, 08:49 AM
|
#16
|
1 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
Taylorsville
, North Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
|
Thanks to you all I got the right VIN J1306575
|
|
|
04-25-2013, 10:31 AM
|
#17
|
3 Rivet Member
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
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|