I knew it would be a project before I looked at it. I was impressed with the condition of the skin. I does have a few dents but for being 50 years old but nothing too terrible. The tongue is bent and will need to be replaced. The frame does not seem to be bent. The interior is complete and woodwork in excellent condition. Of course the fabrics and such will have to go. Do you all think it is a good restoration candidate? And if so what would you offer? Do you think $500 is a fair offer or is that too much considering the work that needs to be done?
The elements and rust is what seems to have cracked the tongue. When the tongue bent up they rested the front of the trailer on old tires to keep it somewhat up and out of the dirt. From what we can see the frame looks straight but you can never know for sure until you pull the belly pan.
__________________ Laura Miss Rivette 2008 W8JUZ --......-- "Support Search and Rescue, GET LOST!!!!" Operation "SAVE RUDY" Strike Team (Charter Member)
I believe it is the obsession that caused us (Rhonda and I)to purchase this one yesterday. The '74 has been a good amount of work already, this one is going to be real work compared to that. Step 1 is necessary frame fixes and what not for towability. step 2 ....? I guess I will deal with that later.
__________________
Dave
Operation "Save Rudy" Strike Team (charter member)
You mess with the Strike Team,... you mess with the whole trailer park!!
Just my opinion, but if the front tongue/frame bent because of rust, the rest of the frame is going to be toast - what does the frame look like coming out the back?
Congratulations on your new baby! She's a beauty, can't wait to see her at the next LPPI Rally.
You've got a lot of restoration work to do, but oh what fun it will be. Feel free to ask any questions along the way. Derek and I will be following your every move.
Oooohhhhh.....I'm so happy (an just a wee bit jealous)!
Cheers!
Renee
__________________ Operation "SAVE RUDY" Strike Team (Associate Member)
Congratulations on your new baby! She's a beauty, can't wait to see her at the next LPPI Rally.
You've got a lot of restoration work to do, but oh what fun it will be. Feel free to ask any questions along the way. Derek and I will be following your every move.
Oooohhhhh.....I'm so happy (an just a wee bit jealous)!
Cheers!
Renee
Renee,
I was hoping you would pop up. I most definately need yours and Dereks assistance here. For starters I need wheel and tire info as well as what you did for your replacement axle. I am now forced into distinguishing the two by name so I was considering Ike and Nixon.
__________________
Dave
Operation "Save Rudy" Strike Team (charter member)
You mess with the Strike Team,... you mess with the whole trailer park!!
Derek is going through our receipts to find phone numbers of the axle and tire locales. I'll PM you with those when we locate 'em.
A couple of weeks ago we considered a '54 Safari for about a nano-second. Oh all right, I considered it for a couple of days. Interior was painted all in beige gloss paint. Completely. Wall, floors, ceiling, cabinets, etc. Egad.
I decided the price was a a bit too much, especially considering the work we still need to do on Felix. But you got one hell of a deal, wish we could come across something like that.
Let me know if you want us to show up in grungy work clothes to help with the rebuild. We loooooovvvvvveee that kind of work.
__________________ Operation "SAVE RUDY" Strike Team (Associate Member)
Thank you for the offer to come help, I hope to take you up on that. Also thanks Derek for looking into his old receipts for me. We anticipate quite a lot of work on this one, but we were both pleased with the completeness of the unit. I hope to have it towable in a couple months and maybe by spring it can come out and play as a glorified tent. I will be looking for your PM's.
__________________
Dave
Operation "Save Rudy" Strike Team (charter member)
You mess with the Strike Team,... you mess with the whole trailer park!!
I expect to find frame issues, the rear is better but,.... I am curious to see what I get when I pull the belly pan. Once the pan is down the rest of story will come out. I was able to look into a piece of fallen belly skin and while I saw rust, I was somewhat surprised of the overall condition. Does anyone have a source for original frame schematics or anything that will be of help once I am forced to make a decision. Assuming that decision is hack off whats bad and replace. I suppose if it is all shot than my choice becomes, well I will have no choice.
I plan to keep updating this thread as it all unfolds, as well as gleen wisdom from those that have done this. Part of my wants the frame to be totally shot so that I can build in the waste tanks rather than manipulate to make them fit.
Any how please keep posting as I need all the information that you have gained from your own experience.
__________________
Dave
Operation "Save Rudy" Strike Team (charter member)
You mess with the Strike Team,... you mess with the whole trailer park!!
This Saturday he removed the plate in the front, fabbed up a new plate and c-channel. Next time it will be replacing the front floor, installing channel and plate and buttoning it all back together. Then all that is left is too get the lights working so he can tow it home and possibly putting the belly pan back on. Then there is a whole lot to do when we get it home!
He also took a picture of the ghost image of a Wally Byam Caravan sticker. So I guess it has more history than we thought. The old WBBCI #'s were either 1407 or 1487. If anyone has an old directory that could give me some info it would be very much appreciated!
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