The Buddha Baby A Restoration

[wasagachris]

yep that's them pg 17 in the catalog. They are available in three different sizes of white walls. I chose the widest.

[Darkspeed]

Originally Posted by wasagachris

yep that's them pg 17 in the catalog. They are available in three different sizes of white walls. I chose the widest.

There is a fourth option -blackwall- I chose this option... Why? Because I'm an idiot...

[ND10CentCan]

Originally Posted by wasagachris

Sandy I do know that on occasion he has gone on location to do work. I doubt that he would go to North Dakota though.
If you do find a trailer anywhere on the east coast he does do recoveries and can store them for you short term until you can pick it up or have him do the work to restore it.

I wish you luck on your inspection tour. he says they don't leak, well of course they won't leak in a barn. They will have mice but at least you won't find an opposum skeleton in them like Frank found in mine. Mine resided in the woods of North Carolina for twenty some odd years. There are some advantages in finding one in a temperate climate, at least the vermin are smaller.

Headed off this morning to see what I can find. Husband dearest is thinking I am nuts and perhaps I am. I am hopeful I can settle on something smaller today. Wish me luck and hope we make it there and back in one piece.
Sandy

[wasagachris]

Best of luck Sandy I've got my fingers crossed for you hoping that you can find a good one a good price. Just in case I've crossed my toes too. LOL.

[Viper2]

Originally Posted by wasagachris

This is the first thread in a new sub forum for 61 Sovereigns.
It will be a long thread fully documenting the search, purchase, recovery and restoration of a rare California custom built 1961 30ft Sovereign.
I first saw this trailer on Craig's list a few weeks ago. It reappeared last week coupled together with a SOB as a package.
I called the seller and made an offer on only the A/S. He accepted the offer.
I was informed that I only had 4 days to remove it from the property as the county was ordering the trailers removed by then.

I have always dreamed about owning a 1961 Lincoln Continental convertible so it made sense to look for a 1961 A/S to go with it. My birth date is Nov 1960 and that is the production date of this sovereign. Once the restoration is done I will be searcjing for the right TV to complete my dream vintage package.

My next call was to Frank Yensan (62overlander) of Frank's Trailer Works in Baltimore MD. We talked and he heartily agreed to go on the recovery.
Frank left last night and drove all night, arriving in North carolina early this morning. He had to change out the tires and spend some time attaching the rear of the belly pan to bring it back to Baltimore. I spoke to Frank late this aftrenoon and he was close to home and the trip was going well. A huge thank you goes out to Frank for the great effort he has undertaken on this recovery.

I intend to have Frank undertake the restoration of this trailer as I am still in the middle of my 73 Excella full monte and can't do two trailers at once and still find time to run my business. Frank is very busy now so won't be gettting to it for a month or two to start the tear down and anlysis of the true condition.

Here are some pictures from the ad and I will post some more once Frank gets some rest and has the time to shoot some for me.

Congradulations chris on your new purchase. Im still working on mine also and have updated the info and will send photos soon.

[ND10CentCan]

Originally Posted by wasagachris

Best of luck Sandy I've got my fingers crossed for you hoping that you can find a good one a good price. Just in case I've crossed my toes too. LOL.

Can you possibly cross everything again that I would win the lottery?? You seemed to have the luck and we ended up with a cute little trailer.
Thanks for all of your help along the way.
Sandy

[61sovereign]

wasagachris,
Cool A/S.. thats the frist one i have seen that looks like the layout of my 61 sovereigns interior. I was starting to wonder if i was going to find another one like it.
I would love to see some lagger pictures of the interior. Mine has 9 jalousie windows also and they all work perfect.

[wasagachris]

Originally Posted by 61sovereign

wasagachris,
Cool A/S.. thats the frist one i have seen that looks like the layout of my 61 sovereigns interior. I was starting to wonder if i was going to find another one like it.
I would love to see some lagger pictures of the interior. Mine has 9 jalousie windows also and they all work perfect.

Hi Darryl the old big trailers are a little rare as they were more expensive so fewer of them were ever sold.
Most of my interior is in poor shape and missing most of the living area, the fridge is missing but the rest is there. It will need to be totally rebuilt.
That's great that you have all those Jalousie windows. I thought that mine was a custom order because of the windows.

[61sovereign]

Originally Posted by wasagachris

Hi Darryl the old big trailers are a little rare as they were more expensive so fewer of them were ever sold.
Most of my interior is in poor shape and missing most of the living area, the fridge is missing but the rest is there. It will need to be totally rebuilt.
That's great that you have all those Jalousie windows. I thought that mine was a custom order because of the windows.

I only had to replace 4 pieces of glass...they fell out in transit.
It did not take much to get them to roll out just a little WD-40. I could not tell but did yours have window covers on the outside of the windows? I have these removable shades on the windows...I guess that was an add on back them because they do not look homemade. I thought some things on the trailer were homemade but I was told by a repair center thats the way they built them back then. Are you going to restore origanal or replace everything? I want to keep some things but modernize some.
I am looking for the original cabinet knobs but have not been able to find any....do you know where you can find those round style latches.

[wasagachris]

Darryl all my windows were intact and fully operational. I do not have any removable shades on any of the windows.
To answer your question about restoration to original and replacing everything. Yes and yes. The trailer will be restored to look original but with modern systems and everything will have to be replaced due to years of abuse and damages done to almost every piece of the interior.
I'm a long way from thinking about cabinet knobs or latches so I haven't even looked at them or done any research into sourcing out replacements.
This trailer will require the shell to be pulled and then the frame will be repaired or replaced. the floor will definately need to be replaced as it is severly rotted. One of the PO's has attached another sub floor to the shell but did not do it properly so it will have to come out.
Currently the trailer has been made road ready so it could be brought home for registration purposes. The axles/ wheels & tires were replaced. All the running lights and emergency braking system were either replaced or repaired to pass a safety inspection. I now have it home and it will rest here for a while until I have another trailer restored first.
I am doing my first trailer myself. It is a 73 Excella and I don't have the time or space to do another trailer at the same time. I am having the other trailers professionally restored for me. The first trailer that will be done that way is a 1947 22ft Liner then either the 61 or a 55 Overlander will be next. I will be doing some things to all three first like the tear down and probably the polish of the shells.

[61sovereign]

I will check in from time to time and check in on your progress...good luck.

[wasagachris]

I found this diamond in the rough locally. It was less than 20 miles from my place. It's not the convertible I wanted but it is close.
It has been sitting hidden in a barn for at least a decade. I managed to get a hold of the PPO and he told me that he rebuilt the entire drivetrain and electical system before selling it to the PO.
It needs paint, a headliner and door panel work. I have no idea at this point about the mechanicals as it is not running.
Here are some before and after shots as it arrived and got a bath after so long.

[soldiermedic]

What a difference a bath can make. Nice find Chris.

[TinLoaf]

Is that a 61 Continental with the 430? It should rip those Airstreams around like like little wind chimes back there, although it only got about 9 mpg unloaded. Suicide doors. Sweet ride. Drool.