62 Bambi bumper?

C Ray · 07-25-2008, 08:41 AM

I need to replace my 62 Bambi bumper because it's rusted through, but it doesn't look like some of the other Bumpers that I've seen online. Does anyone have a picture...or a suggestion? I will post a picture of mine later.
I will use a local shop to fasion a new one (unless it is too fancy).

C Ray · 07-25-2008, 08:47 AM

OK, I found a picture of a 64 Bumper ... and it does look the same as my 62 .... pretty simple.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/105816-post1.html

I must have been looking at other models before.

**azflycaster** · 07-25-2008, 08:56 AM

There are lots of pictures at this site: Vintage Airstream Photo Archives
There are a few 62 pictures and many 61 pictures. You will see that many owners have modified there bumper over the years. Here is the best bumper picture I could find.

47WeeWind · 07-25-2008, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C Ray

I need to replace my 62 Bambi bumper because it's rusted through, but it doesn't look like some of the other Bumpers that I've seen online. Does anyone have a picture...or a suggestion? I will post a picture of mine later.I will use a local shop to fashion a new one (unless it is too fancy).

Hi C Ray:

Your Bambi sounds like it was made at the Los Angeles factory, which in 1962 used the channel type bumper pictured on the 1964 Bambi II on all trailers that did not have the International trim. Your Bambi is not an International trim level trailer, which is why it has the channel type rear bumper.

The Ohio factory, by contrast, used the roll-formed bumper shown in Richard's picture on all trailer models in 1962. The different factories used different bumpers on many model trailers, hence the different bumpers seen in many (but not all) photos. Make a new bumper, or find a nice used one, to match the type now on your trailers. Hope this helps.

C Ray · 07-26-2008, 09:34 AM

Hey thanks, there is an apparent contrast though; My serial number indicates it is from Ohio, according to the serial number guide posted under 1961-1962 Bambi (below):

California built Bambi serial numbers will start with a 16TDSSxxxx. The first trailer built started with 1600 at the end of the serial number. For example, mine is 16TDSS1728, so that means she is the 128th Bambi built in California...

Ohio built Bambis will have I61T. The 61 changes to match the year produced. For example if a Bambi had a serial that began with I63T then it was a 1963 model. Unlike the California models, they did not start at 1600. So serial number I61T235 was the 235th Bambi built in Ohio in 1961...

The above information was provided by RJ Dial and others from discussions on various list servers in the past

My s/n is 162T453 .... not sure what gives, Incidentally, the numbers mentioned in the above quote seem to indicate the first character to be an "I" not a "1" I'm not sure if it is a typo or not so I went out, just now, and checked mine and it is definitly a "1" ....hummm

C Ray · 07-26-2008, 09:49 AM

OK, I went back to the serial number guide post. it appears from the rest of the post in that thread that the guide itself has a typo should be 1, not I.

I am having a sheet metal shop make a simple channel bumper for me for a whopping $27. I talked to the manager/owner and they cannot shape it for me, only cut it straight and I will have to make some relief cuts, bend the radius, then have someone MIG it back together. This seems to be my only option at the time. Also the old bumper was 14 gauge, I am upgrading to galvinized 12 gauge.

**azflycaster** · 07-26-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C Ray

My s/n is 162T453 .... not sure what gives, Incidentally, the numbers mentioned in the above quote seem to indicate the first character to be an "I" not a "1" I'm not sure if it is a typo or not so I went out, just now, and checked mine and it is definitly a "1" ....hummm

16 in your serial number indicate the length of your trailer, 16 feet.
2 = 1962
T = Twin Beds
453 = the sequence number.

I agree that the VIN indicates an Ohio build.