1961 Globetrotter

[jillwill]

I am the new owner of a 1961 Globetrotter. I just brought it home tonight. I had a few questions for other owners.
~ Why is there not a thread for 1961 G/T's
~ I will have to get new tires and wheels, I can get the wheels, but it looks like I might have to go with a low profile tire. Any suggestions?
~Can someone with a 61 GT please post some pis? (Inside & out)
~Does your 61 GT have a fiberglass coated aluminum belly?

[jillwill]

I ment to say pics

[overlander64]

Greetings jillwill!

Welcome to the world of Vintage Airstream Ownership

Originally Posted by jillwill

I am the new owner of a 1961 Globetrotter. I just brought it home tonight. I had a few questions for other owners.
~ Why is there not a thread for 1961 G/T's

I wonder if your coach may have been built in 1961 as a 1962 model as my notes indicate that Globetrotters weren't produced in 1961. It isn't unsual to have states that will title a coach based on its year of manufacture rather than its actual model. Airstream model years typically began around July 1 rather than being timed with the calendar. Another possibility is that the lack of such a sub-form hasn't been mentioned to the site administration team.

Originally Posted by jillwill

~ I will have to get new tires and wheels, I can get the wheels, but it looks like I might have to go with a low profile tire. Any suggestions?

There aren't any low-profile tires of which I am aware for travel trailers. Automobile tires are not a good choice for use on a travel trailer -- they typically do not have the necessary weight carrying capacity, and they do not have the structure to deal with the rigors of a single axle trailer specifically (an automobile {P-Metric} tire on a single axle coach is a prime invitation to extreme sway or yawe). Your coach is from the time period when Airstream was switching over to the Henschen axle and that is when most of the Airstream line adopted a rather standard tire/wheel size. While careful measurement will need to precede a purchase, most coaches require the following regarding wheels:

15" x 6" wheel with 6 bolts on 5.5" centers with a zero offset. The center bore needs to be 4.25", and the wheel needs to be rated to carry at least 2,600 pounds.

Typically, the tires fitted are ST 225/75 R 15 Load Range C (or sometimes D for single axle trailers). My Argosy Minuet is somewhat comparable in size and gross weight to your Globetrotter, and I run the above size tire in load range C and have absolutely no problems. My Overlander utilizes the same size tire in Load Range D. Be prepared that it may be necessary to deflate the tires in order to get them up into the wheel well (it is a necessity on my Overlander, and helpful on the Minuet). If your wheel wells are particularly tight, you may want to examine your axle to be sure that it isn't completely worn out or frozen with no travel of the arms. See Inland RV's website for instructions on assessing Henschen axles.

Originally Posted by jillwill

~Does your 61 GT have a fiberglass coated aluminum belly?

So far as I am aware, all of the classic type Airstreams (non-Square-Streams) had strictly aluminum bellypans. A previous owner may have done just about anything so far as modifying the bellypan on your coach, but I don't believe that the fiberglass coating would have come from the factory.

Good luck with your Globetrotter!

Kevin

P.S.: You can find some photos of Vintage Globetrotters at : Vintageairstream.com

[jillwill]

The Vin# is 19TSS1902 1961 or 62
Cal. or Ohio

[Aerowood]

Could you post some pistures, I mean pictures.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by jillwill

The Vin# is 19TSS1902 1961 or 62
Cal. or Ohio

California built GlobeTrotter - second one made for 1961 model year, so it was built in mid-late 1960

1961 Globetrotter

Enjoy!!!

Shari

[CanoeStream]

Originally Posted by jillwill

~ Why is there not a thread for 1961 G/T's?

InsideOut steered this new question to the 'back room.' That subforum has been created and your thread moved into it. A 61 GT subforum will be available from now on.

Glad to have you posting about your baby, jillwill!

[jillwill]

Thanks for the new subforum, I will try to see if I can get some pictures posted.

[jillwill]

It worked, first think the A/C is coming off. Ordered new tires, wheels, roof vent & lights today. Can someone post pictures of a finished 61 so I can get a idea of the original things. Mine has this really cool copper hardware and lights. Is this original?

[InsideOut]

Did you look at the link in my earlier post? It shows what appears to be copper cabinet hardware...is this like yours?

Shari

P.S. Thanks Bob!

[blacksheep]

Jill,

Nice 'stream!!!

Yah, I think I would take that a/c off also! Did it work?

Godspeed,
Trent

[jillwill]

Blacksheep,

Thanks for the complements, the a/c unit did come off, I am not sure if it worked or not. I am replacing the floor right now and expect to finish this weekend and then start on the elec/plumbing next week. Also, be the way there is a trailer rally right here in Indiana the end of Sept. Look on the rally page for more info. We would love to have you and anybody else there.
Jill

[Lowendall]

Hello Jill, I just towed my new Darlin' home today. By all my reckoning, mine is a '61 California job.... 19TSS1946. I have been googling and Airstreamin all over the www for a spell and can send you or post all the pics I have found. I may even gat to the part of taking some photos of MY Globetrotter. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.

I am as new as new can get on this site so bear with me and it will all work out in time. I am very pleased with my purchase; the exterior is quite good and the interior has alreasy been gutted; I mean the seats an tables are gone, but the kitchen and bath are mostly intact. I am dreaming of making it very artistic and plush; likely the last thing I will do is the polishing of the exterior... Hoping this note finds you well, James

[Lowendall]

Guess we'll see how this turns out, and also perhaps I can put more thought into all of this. smile