1956 Bubble Restoration Start to Finish

[flyfshr]

Originally Posted by ddstech

Oregon is just California's leftovers, except greener, and nicer, wait a second....maybe I DO wish I lived there...

Right about this time of year, I wish I did. It was 112 today. Sure like to see the tinman's trailer finally getting out for some R & R and I can't think of a better state to do it in.

Brad
FF

[the544man]

I agree with your comments above! Sorry for your arizona summer- I'm sure you love it in the winter. But anyway i never really liked dry heat.. I like dry cool. We're still enjoying a sunny dry-cool summer averaging 68-75 degrees in 0regon. Even when it gets in the 90's and hits 100 for two weeks in august, cool air comes in from the coast 45 miles away and it drops down to 50 every night. Sweet summer in oregon Ted

[Byams55FlyCl]

Originally Posted by flyfshr

Right about this time of year, I wish I did. It was 112 today. Sure like to see the tinman's trailer finally getting out for some R & R and I can't think of a better state to do it in.

Brad
FF

Brad -
We were on day 2 of "heat advisory" yesterday.
Only 98 degrees, but with humidity it felt 115 degrees!

Ted-
Looking forward to more restoration updates - what is the best improvement or upgrade that you've made and love?

[mello mike]

Honestly, is there anything better than a 50s Airstream?

[Byams55FlyCl]

Originally Posted by mello mike

Honestly, is there anything better than a 50s Airstream?

Two?

[the544man]

Originally Posted by Byams55FlyCl

Brad -
We were on day 2 of "heat advisory" yesterday.
Only 98 degrees, but with humidity it felt 115 degrees!

Ted-
Looking forward to more restoration updates - what is the best improvement or upgrade that you've made and love?

Yes Kathy. Good question. Since I started with a gutted trailer everything was an upgrade! But on the serious side I think I'm fondest of my 12 vt rocker switch and bezel system since I have not seen other setups quite like my design. So I hope others can copy what I did there if they want. I think it's on the classy and original side of things. Thanks for the response. And ditto the 50's trailers coolness as remarked above. Cheers. Ted

[Ciciolina]

I just checked out the pictures of your Bubble, i'm so impressed! I love the woodwork. What kind of wood did you use?

[the544man]

Hey. The boys and I just got back from a week at clear lake, Oregon. We had a beautiful site right on the water with a 1/4 acre to ourselves to play on. This is coldwater cove in the national forest. I really enjoyed the boondocking trip. The last pic is from big lake Oregon just 15 minutes away. Cheers. Ted

[flyfshr]

Paradise along with two young sons with a vintage Airstream in the background...priceless.

Brad
FF

[ddstech]

Ted,

I'm slipping into depression not being able to see your weekly progress... I'm starting to feel like nothing is getting done anymore... what gives?

Matt

[the544man]

Ditto that matt. I'll try to step it up. My creative energies and "man labor" has been busy gutting our bathroom down to the 101 year old studs and installing a barrier free tiled shower, Moving toilets, power, drains, new sink, new lights, new water lines throughout the entire house, including the supply line from the city....I'm more than half way done.

I'm looking at this bathroom and thinking... Olympic rivots would really make this commode "pop". I too look forward to more bubble building therapy.


Gotta let you all see my sweet daughter Lila from the maiden voyage.

Cheers. Ted

[marzboy]

Great trip! I just got back from Patrick's Point in Nor Cal, I love it up there. Hope next year to be pullin a giant Airstream behind me thru the Redwoods!

[toastie]

Originally Posted by the544man

Twas the night before the maiden voyage and the kids are finally in bed. A little time to pack those special things that get the best cupboard space. We thought the occasion deserved a great Oregon vintage bubbly from the cellar. Oh yes. The weather forecast is high of 75 and sunny on the Oregon coast all weekend What luck. If all goes well the argyle cork will pop on the shores of the pacific tomorrow night.

Today I loaded up the bubble with the major first run essentials and stopped by my friends scale and was happy with a sub 300 lb tongue weight and a overall 2800 lbs totally loaded ill be adding a few things in few more things in the morning but not much at all.

I got the fridge cooling down on power and will switch over to propane in the morning. While I was at it I had to re-seal the top joint of the fridge cabinet to keep the hot air contained outside to the fridgven. Those heat transfer grills get flaming hot. I was amazed that after turning on the computer fan you could actually touch them. And I just discovered that the light I installed in the hatch is perfect in the dark. Sweet dreams friends. Ted

Great job, I'm also adding a fan to my fridge. Would it be possible
to add a few more pictures on how you fasten the fan.

Toastie

[the544man]

Originally Posted by toastie

Great job, I'm also adding a fan to my fridge. Would it be possible
to add a few more pictures on how you fasten the fan.

Toastie

yes tostie--I have one closeup on page two and I'll include another here. I found that a copper water line holder from the lowes plumbing section is the perfect size to mount directly on the fridge tubing. It bends easily as well. I then just drilled out the computer fan frame to accept 2 small bolts. Be careful when you bend the copper holder level-- as the weakest point is where the right angle meets the tube clamp. I put it on the top tube even with the baffle opening--so it would draw from the lower section of the vent.

I found that when we hit our hottest day of camping two weeks ago (82 degrees)--the fan kept the fridge right at the perfect temp. I had to turn it off for the evenings and the rest of the week because it made the fridge too efficient (freezing food during the cooler hours) when the Oregon outside temps were 70 in the day and 50 at night. I tend to keep the fridge dial on "3" with "5" being the coldest setting. works great and moves a lot of air! I think I could store icecream if i turned it to "5". Ice cream is a breakfast food right--frozen milk!


ps--i wired it to a switch in the cabin to make it easy to turn on and off

[the544man]

My friend and I towed my bubble to the local car show in Dallas yesterday. It was a good time meeting people and drooling over cool cars. It was pretty amazing with all the folks wanting to check out the bubble. I spied a 50's Pontiac streamline faux woodie that would be outrageous in front of the bubble. All is well. Getting ready for another trip to central Oregon! Ted

[the544man]

Here's a brighter picture.

[SilverHoot]

That tow vehicle would be outrageous in front of my trailer! Is that a 67 Carryall?

[the544man]

It's a 72 chevy suburban in original drivable dream condition. I really like the original vintage bronze paint and roof rack. Who knows. He may sell it to me in a year or two!

[the544man]

Hey friends Were currently enjoying a beautiful week in central Oregon---and with our new vintage awning. I ended up getting a custom sunbrella color as I wanted something different for the bubble. It's a vintage green and amber stripe--a nice compliment I think to the bungalo interior scheme. Anyway-- I really like how easy the setup is, the look, and the functional sweet shade. We are camping out close to smith Rock state park at the moment (climber and hiker Mecca).
Earlier in the week The boys and I had a great time tubing down the deshutes river right through the heart of bend Oregon. I bought 4 tubes from the tire store before we left and a 12 volt pump makes for a painfree inflate in bend they even have a bus snd tube trailer shuttle set up for just a couple bucks a person Its been a good trip

It's also fun replying to people at the campground who ask. "is that a new Bambi?". I say "no it's an old 1956 bubble!" Having a great time. Cheers. Ted

[ddstech]

Now were talking! That is good lookin.