1963 Overlander converted to a "cabin"

[63overlander]

Thanks for all of the help in getting my pictures up. I know that my Airstream is what would be considered a basket case. It is what I could afford and actually what I wanted. I needed to make it suit my personal needs anyway and that would have been a shame to do with one in near original condition. I bought this as a buy-it-now for $200.00 through Ebay about two minutes after it came on line at 4:00 A.M. It cost me more than that for gas to drive to Michigan to pick it up. I have since invested a good bit of time, but very little money, in turning it into my "cabin". Reincarnated Airstreams come back to life in all different forms and this is one of them...
SilverBear

[markdoane]

Silverbear,
What a project! The iron stove is unique. It looks homey and comfortable. Enjoy

[59toaster]

Originally posted by 63overlander
Thanks for all of the help in getting my pictures up. I know that my Airstream is what would be considered a basket case. It is what I could afford and actually what I wanted. I needed to make it suit my personal needs anyway and that would have been a shame to do with one in near original condition. I bought this as a buy-it-now for $200.00 through Ebay about two minutes after it came on line at 4:00 A.M. It cost me more than that for gas to drive to Michigan to pick it up. I have since invested a good bit of time, but very little money, in turning it into my "cabin". Reincarnated Airstreams come back to life in all different forms and this is one of them...
SilverBear

$200? Ohhhh what a STEAL!

It actualy looks in quite good conditon body and floor wise. It would have gone for a easy $1k if that person didn't do a buy it now options.

I like it. Some of the purists might have a little issue but like you said "it was gutted and you did what you could with what you had".

My only concern would be weight if you planning to move it often. 63 is still one of the light airstreams . That coach in original condition was probably around 3500lb dry. You have added some weigh to that and may be at the max weight or more than the coach was designed to handle. Not a big deal for a cabin at all. I would run it over some scales and get a acutrate tougne weight and see if your still within it's rated weight if you decide you want to travel with it. Also get a side to side weight. I think your going to find its very street side biased. that can cause handling issuse and may over load the axles on the one side.


Welcome to the Forums. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

[ColtSAA45]

SilverBear,

I really like what you have done to your Airstream. I am stunned that you bought that for 200.00. What a steal!. From the looks of your heating plants you could easily stay comfortable all winter long. I'm glad that your Overlander has a new lease on life with a caring owner.
As an aside do you have any hardware bits left over from your conversion? I have a 62 Safari that I am restoring and always am looking for parts.

[63overlander]

Thanks for the positive comments. I'll add a few more pictures at the end of the 2004 summer when there should be a good bit more work done.
Regarding the question about parts left over. I don't have much... a couple of fans, one from the rear roof vent and one from the kitchen stove vent. I have the vent flap from the stove vent.
I'm looking for one tail light lens (the large one).
Regarding the possible weight problems. I've thought about the additional weight and figured that since I no longer have holding tanks underneath that the overall weight might remain about the same or at least not be greatly more than traveling with fresh water and something in the waste tanks. The caboose stove isn't too bad as cast iron units go since it has a realtively small footprint. The knotty pine flooring is only there where it is seen, so there is no additional wood under the counters, bed or couch. As for side to side weight distribution, the gas furnace and refridgerator (about 3/4 size) should help to give it some balance. I had also figured on shifting the moveable items to the side opposite the caboose stove while on the road. You are wise, though, in suggesting that an actual weight test be done both for overall weight and for side to side distribution of weight. I appreciate the heads up. As my wife says, do not ASSume.
Thanks again...
SilverBear

[norbert]

great pix silver bear..
what do you think, we cut a hole in the floor and go ice fishing?....
great shot of the stove....i hope you are not a person that puts a tablespoon of maxwell house in the pot and cooks it all day....
norby

[Davydd]

Silverbear,

It doesn't get any better. You are living a dream.