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07-06-2008, 10:39 PM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
1975 23' Safari
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 305
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When did AS convert to plastic ceiling endcaps?
Hi--
I saw one of the new CCD Aluminum interiors at the Vernonia AS rally last weekend aand really like the look. I've read the sticky about the all the hard work required to strip them back to a nice shiny surface... but then remember that in the 60's or early 70's AS introduced new one-piece plastic end-caps.
I been searching the forum and can't seem to find a thread that answers this question. I'd like to konw when the interior ceiling end caps converted from painted or vinyl coated aluminum segement to the one piece plastic / fiberglass pieces.
Does anyone know the year or years AS did the change over?
Thanks,
Ron
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07-06-2008, 11:14 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1948 16' Wee Wind
1953 21' Flying Cloud
Denver
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,169
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Hi Ron:
Roughly, in the early 1960s. That change is not noted in sales literature, so has to be determined by inspecting late 1950s and early 1960s Airstreams. Owners of those era trailers can perhaps pinpoint it better for you.
__________________
Fred Coldwell, WBCCI #1510, AIR #2675
Denver, Colorado - WBCCI Unit 24
Airstream Life "Old Aluminum"
Airstream Life "From the Archives"
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07-07-2008, 12:12 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,702
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I think it depends on the model...
Our '64 GlobeTrotter has plastic endcaps, but a friends '65 Caravel has metal endcaps. Our front has the molded in shelf unit...theirs has no shelf in front.
I think the larger models changed over first...
Shari
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07-07-2008, 05:27 AM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
1968 22' Safari
Kalamazoo
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 83
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My '68 Safari also has the plastic endcap with the molded shelf unit.
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07-07-2008, 07:21 AM
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#5
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Vintage Alum. Enthusiast
1959 24' Tradewind
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: I currently do not own a 2nd Airstream
Posts: 4,360
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My '59 has both endcaps of aluminum but I've seen other '59 models with plastic. I believe the Ohio plant switched over before the California plant did.
Brad
FF
__________________
4CU 2699 / AIR 10 / TAC AZ-1
I'm haunted by aluminum.
Charter Member of the 4 Corners Unit.
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07-07-2008, 07:38 AM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
1975 23' Safari
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 305
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All--
Thanhs for the quick replies and it seems I'll have to get pictures or check it my self in in the pre 65ish models.
Thanks again,
Ron
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07-16-2008, 03:53 PM
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#7
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A 7th year newby
1968 24' Tradewind
Indianapolis
, Indiana
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 466
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Ron, Thanks for raising this question.
I'd like to know, also, if these interior end caps are structurally necessary, or are they cosmetic?
I'm thinking about replacing the rear fiberglass eventually with aluminum as part of relocating the rear bath and converting to a bedroom. The one-piece design is nice and clean, but I like the look of the panels outside repeated inside. I don't need the trailer to imitate a home, but to be something else, a retreat and playful space.
Thanks,
Anne
__________________
Anne
Indianapolis, IN
TAC IN-7
1968 Airstream Trade Wind
2005 Chevy K1500 crew, reg. bed, 4WD, gas
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07-19-2008, 10:34 AM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
1975 23' Safari
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 305
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From what I've read form the experts on the forums, the end-caps add stiffness to the structure. I would consider the endcaps like plywood under the siding of house. The studs and joist carry the load... the plywood adds the rigidity.
You can definitely make and all alumnum replacements, and serval folks have threads on that effort. Your will need to use a fair number of panel (like the 50s style AS) to get the curve correct.
__________________
Thanks,
Ron
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