Norm, it's stunning. I'm all for making a trailer your own, but there's alot to be said for fixing what is needed and retaining originality. It's not often that one is blessed with a so completely original 50's trailer.
I was able to center the FC on my cement pad so I can better use my neighbor's scaffolding that we are going to dig out this later this week. I got quite a bit more polishing done and even had a friend over and was using a polishing wheel and Nuvite F7 with a drill for some detail work.
I was able to make the extra room because I sold the Overlander today. I have mixed emotions about it as I really loved that trailer but my better and WISER half said "only one at a time" so I kept my word.
Today I finished up rebuilding two of the small front windows. The street side was more difficult because someone had broken a window and in the process bent the outer window frame and broke the inner retaining rail. I took it to a race car fabricator friend and he bent me a new profile in 2 minutes and I finished drilling and fitting it. Window rebuilding is slow going because you have to polish every piece while you have it out.
I got my 12 year old son, Beau, into the act - brief as it was.
Notice the small holes in the bottom corners? The previous owner chose to screw the windows shut instead of fixing them. As soon as my bucking riveter comes in, I'll fill those holes with rivets.
I just brought home a 56 Flying Cloud an couldn't believe that someone had put screws at the bottom corners of all the side windows. My buddy Scott Goranson advised me to do the same thing, fill the holes with rivets. As soon as I get organized, I'll start posting my photos and progress reports
Rebuilding these windows is time consuming, and quite a PITA in some cases. While most people polish while they are out, I will do a polish once I reinstall them. Hopefully you won't have to re screen any...that is a huge project with window removal being the easiest choice.
I've been working on the 3 small ones I have for the last 3 or 4 days. Unreal how much time they take for something that seems so simple. Every time I get going on them, I have an idea of how much I'll get done that day, and each time I'm so very wrong.
Slow going for sure....
I'm going to try to get both of the larger stationary windows rebuilt today. If I there is enough time, I'm also going to remove both of those drip caps, straighten, polish, vulkem and reinstall. We'll see.....
Looks great Barry-- in so many cases, the 50s trailers are just the coolest, but this is one of those areas where I'm glad I have the 60s windows instead of the 50s. Keep it up.
Having had both, I can totally agree with you. The windows were greatly improved the next generation after my 55. The frames are not very rigid and the single crank is not really strong enough to pull the windows really tight. Having said that, they do look very cool with the rounded looking edges.
After reading a post this morning, I found out to install new window screen, I may need to remove the entire window frame and drip caps. Has anyone successfully installed new screen without removing the window frame? I don't mind doing it if required but don't want to go to the trouble if not necessary. I also have ordered (it's on back order at VTS) the new black window seal that goes between the trailer shell and the window frames but I was only planning on doing the bottom piece as is the most likely to be shot. Ideas?
After reading a post this morning, I found out to install new window screen, I may need to remove the entire window frame and drip caps. Has anyone successfully installed new screen without removing the window frame? I don't mind doing it if required but don't want to go to the trouble if not necessary. I also have ordered (it's on back order at VTS) the new black window seal that goes between the trailer shell and the window frames but I was only planning on doing the bottom piece as is the most likely to be shot. Ideas?
I am in the process of replacing all the screens on my Liner. So far, I have been able to replace the screens on the side windows, but it takes the removal of the center bar, or parts of the center bar, depending on which window is being re-screened. I have not looked closely at the front and rear windows yet, but I think that they will take more work. I hope the windows do not have to come out.
I will try and post some pictures on my 1955 Liner thread later today.
Bill
__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
I removed my drip caps and windows to rescreen and add new back frame gasket to the windows. I thought it was the easiest way to do so. Since this is a shell off total rebuild in my case, I figured to redo everything the right way to first time and have it be the last time.
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