Okay, so we have started digging into things, identified our "To Do List" and started our wish list. Most were not surprises...we aren't that far into it yet...I'm sure we will have surprises, just don't know what yet.
New Toilet - came with avocado green porta-potty (no extra charge for the contents that were included)
New Water Heater - electric only when new, it was removed
Re-plumb with Pex - hot water piping removed completely / cold done (poorly) with Pex
New 20 or 30lb (undecided) aluminum propane tanks - out dated 20lb steel included
New tongue jack - not sure about manual or electric
Need 2 Fantastic Fans
Need 120/12v systems re-vamped - no inverter/converter present - park-model
Add black tank - park-model, drop to daylight - not sure if over or under floor yet
Need door handle bezel - handle is okay, but bezel is broken
Fix loose step @ entry
Check Stove - this weekend
Check Fridge - this weekend
Check Heater - this weekend
Strip floor tiles - at least two layers
Strip the cabinets / refinish wood
Strip the walls - most likely re-Zolatone
New Foam - it's yucky & crunchy
New Draperies - don't like the flowers
New Linoleum - like it in Maxwell so we're going to use again
New Upholstery - don't like the flowers
New sliding door panels @ upper cabinets - they were just masonite, now painted & wallpapered
New marker lights - teardrops were replaced with ovals at some point
Paint Airstream plaques
POR-15 Tongue & bumper
Replace Door gasket
Replace window gaskets
Repair one damaged screen
Replace one broken window mechanism
Polish
I started stripping the cabinet drawers/doors last night - they look like they will come out great, but it's gonna take a bunch of stripper. I'm using CitraStrip. We hope to remove all the interior cabinets this weekend to make this easier and to assess the floor which looks very solid.
Like I said earlier...it needs some work and we aren't planning on take her out much this year...good thing we have Maxwell!
Shari
__________________ Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008 WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005) AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
__________________
'74 Overlander (T-O-Bee)
'46 Spartan Manor (Rosie)
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax
2006 GMC Sierra 5.3 V8
WBCCI 1754 - AIR # 6281
Member of VAC www.balrgn.com www.balrgn.com/Airstream.htm
Like I said...we knew she needed some work, no unforseen surprises yet. I guess there's not much left!
We're actually looking forward to it - guess that means we have a serious case of aluminitis, huh!?! I just love the unusual floor plan of this model, which is why we even decided to take this on. Perfect for a second project...we would have been overwhelmed had it been our first - but we aren't in a hurry or needing to use it during the restoration this time.
Shari
__________________ Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008 WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005) AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
__________________
'74 Overlander (T-O-Bee)
'46 Spartan Manor (Rosie)
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax
2006 GMC Sierra 5.3 V8
WBCCI 1754 - AIR # 6281
Member of VAC www.balrgn.com www.balrgn.com/Airstream.htm
You will have your Airstream stars really lined up if you do not find floor rot - and if you do find there is no floor rot - you will have to make a contribution/sacrafice to the Airstream gods - (like ceremonial burning of the flowered upholstery
Be careful when you remove interior cabinets - they can be VERY flimsey if they are anything like mine were.
You may want to consider replacing the axles/springs/brakes etc - then everything is brand new and modern
You may also want to consider replacing the coupler on the hitch - again its modern and new....
Anyway, just a couple of things I did to give me comfort - in essense you will have a brand new trailer with brand new running gear.
Where did you find this trailer - its sounds great!
We will have the ceremonial burning of the flowers this weekend. We have looked just about everywhere and there is no floor rot...
The trailer "lived" in Montrose until 2004, then came to Denver...a "little birdie" named Fred told us about it. It was listed as '1957 Airstreem' on Craig's List...no description, no pictures. We just showed up...the rest is history.
Shari
__________________ Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008 WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005) AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
what a little beauty! i love the layout and especially the retro fridge, etc. i'll be anxious to read about what you can save and what you will have to replace. too bad she wasn't twins, i know a lot of us would love one just like her. welcome "birdie!"
Twins were my first choice for a vinatge Safari too, but...
Quote:
Originally Posted by airstreamers
too bad she wasn't twins, i know a lot of us would love one just like her. welcome "birdie!"
Actually, the way it's put together, it would be VERY easy to convert to twins. I think they were built using components with that flexibilty in mind 'back in the day'.
There is a cabinet on the curbside next to the closets, that would easily come out and fit between twins under the back window as a nightstand and make the foot space for the curbside twin. The streetside has a seat (in pic) that would become part of the street side twin. If you look at the 4 different '56 Safaris on RJ Dial's Archive site, you'll see what I mean, it's a kit of parts.
We haven't quite decided if we will leave it a full or go to twins...the jury is still out. The only thing is with the bunk overhead with the twins you would be prone to bumping your head unless you get out of bed towards the foot of the beds. With the full you don't have that issue. When we do the floorcovering, we will be going wall-to-wall so we have flexibility for changing over to the twin layout....either now or in the future.
The fresh water tank which is now under the bed crossways now will be rotated 90-degrees to fit under the twin layout. Also the water heater will be located so it will work either way, whether we have full or twins, now or later. Heck, we may even take out the bunk...it's only big enugh for a child, Miss Lily or storage which I don't think we need.
Decisions, decisions, decisions...
Shari
__________________ Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008 WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005) AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
She is a real gem. Maxwell and Birdie, sounds like a great, fun-loving couple. Now you need another tow vehicle so you and Rob can each camp in one. How does Maxwell like his older sister?
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Agreed...if I was done documenting the "as found/BEFORE" pictures...they'd already be gone! They will be by Sunday ~
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