Nice '59 Overlander

[desertair27]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

The door handle is up side down compared to others I've seen on '59 & '60 units. Is this typical of an Overlander or is it CA specific?
It looks in pretty good shape on the outside. Nice find.

Hey TG
The door handle does seem to be kinda of weird the way it is.I'll have to look closer when I get her home.
Thanks and I hope I don't get any big suprises when I get her home.

[desertair27]

Originally Posted by Shacksman

The pink bathroom fixtures are original to International models in those years. My 60 Ambassador has the same fixtures.

Looks like mine a 60 also.The title says 59 but the serial number says 1960.
By the way,do you have any info on the water heater cover or shield that is missing?

[desertair27]

Originally Posted by 65CV

desertair27-

Sweet looking Overlander. Looks like a good find. The one thing that would concern me is the door frame. I don't have our Overlander here yet, but I looked at our Caravel and see a cast frame around the door. There is no chance of a crack in the door frame, is there? I see a number of missing rivets.

Overall, you will have MUCH less work than I will!

John

Hey John
It is missing rivets all around the top of the door but I wonder if that why the inner skin is cracked.I better look closer at the door frame although I don't really remember there being a frame.

[desertair27]

Originally Posted by n2batr

You will be Ok with the window if the framing is intact. I don't think those round running lights are original. Everything I have seen are teardrop shape if present at all. Believe it or not those door hinges are originally attached through only the one layer of 0.032 aluminum sheet. When I redid mine added some thick aluminum behind it and attached that to a nearby rib. Ed

I'm hoping the window frame is all good.Guess I'll leave the running lights for now,I do like the teardrop shape better.Are new teardrops available?I'll be making my wish list here real soon.
I can't believe the door hinges are mounted to the skin,thats crazy! That will be one of the first things on the fix list.I like your idea.

[65CV]

Originally Posted by desertair27

I'm hoping the window frame is all good.Guess I'll leave the running lights for now,I do like the teardrop shape better.Are new teardrops available?I'll be making my wish list here real soon.

nmbosa mentioned VTS, short for Vintage Trailer Supply. If you don't know them now, you will. See Exterior Lights for your Teardrop Lights.

John

[desertair27]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

The door handle is up side down compared to others I've seen on '59 & '60 units. Is this typical of an Overlander or is it CA specific?
It looks in pretty good shape on the outside. Nice find.

I wonder if it's possible the door handle is mounted upside down. Do you have anymore of these handles?

[TG Twinkie]

I do have more handles. However it appears the handle itself is in good shape on your trailer. In most cases I've seen where someone needs a handle. They are broken off about 2"'s below (or in you case above) the lock cylinder location.
Perhaps a PO installed the handle mechanism up side down to keep from getting locked out of the trailer. This was a common occurrence with thus lock mechanism. Caused by lack of routine maintenance. Hopefully you still have the complete mechanism in the door.
The reason I say this is that there appears to be a dead bolt lock I'm the door.
It will be interesting to see what you find.

[desertair27]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

I do have more handles. However it appears the handle itself is in good shape on your trailer. In most cases I've seen where someone needs a handle. They are broken off about 2"'s below (or in you case above) the lock cylinder location.
Perhaps a PO installed the handle mechanism up side down to keep from getting locked out of the trailer. This was a common occurrence with thus lock mechanism. Caused by lack of routine maintenance. Hopefully you still have the complete mechanism in the door.
The reason I say this is that there appears to be a dead bolt lock I'm the door.
It will be interesting to see what you find.

It seemed to work but was in need of some serious love,really needed to be cleaned and lubed.i didn't check out the locking action. I'll let you know. Thanks for the help.

[Roy B]

looks like a great trailer to me, we are working on a 59 Caravanner that we got last year,

RB

[desertair27]

Originally Posted by Roy B

looks like a great trailer to me, we are working on a 59 Caravanner that we got last year,

RB

Thanks Roy

Looks like I'm the proud owner of a a 59/60 Overlander.I've yet to figure for sure what year it is. The title says 59,airstream serial number archive say its a 60.
Time to start evaluating all the work needed to be done. First thing is to figure out the dump valve for the waste tank , doesn't seem to work. Next will be the front and beefing up the hinge mounts.
The trailer seems to be all original expect for the fridge, it came with a small electric home model.

[65CV]

Originally Posted by desertair27

Looks like I'm the proud owner of a a 59/60 Overlander.

Great news! Sounds like a good find. I look forward to parallel work on our Overlanders.

Here are the links I have on Dump Valves, covering 3 different options:
- repair the valve
- add an adapter plate and a new Valterra valve
- add a new, larger tank and a new Valterra valve

Good example of just how thoroughly these old girls are documented.

Links follow.

John



http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/..._p/vts-954.htm

1960 Airstream Ambassador Project! » 2006 » October

[65CV]

Missed the rebuild link:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f444...ild-40771.html

[desertair27]

Originally Posted by 65CV

Great news! Sounds like a good find. I look forward to parallel work on our Overlanders.

Here are the links I have on Dump Valves, covering 3 different options:
- repair the valve
- add an adapter plate and a new Valterra valve
- add a new, larger tank and a new Valterra valve

Good example of just how thoroughly these old girls are documented.

Links follow.

John

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f444...ild-40771.html

http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/..._p/vts-954.htm

1960 Airstream Ambassador Project! » 2006 » October

Thanks for the great links.
The sad news is I promised the little lady I would sell the Avion I had previously purchased and that baby needs some attention before I can sell it. That's ok though,gives me a chance to read the links you supplied and really think about my gameplan for the the Overlander.
How are things going with yours?

[65CV]

Originally Posted by desertair27

Thanks for the great links.
...
How are things going with yours?

I started a thread also. It's here: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f109...ion-88673.html

John

[desertair27]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

The door handle is up side down compared to others I've seen on '59 & '60 units. Is this typical of an Overlander or is it CA specific?
It looks in pretty good shape on the outside. Nice find.

Hey Twinkie
I finally got my lock off the door to figure out what needs to be done to install the lock rightsideup.
It looks like I may be able to flip some of the parts around. Kinda weird with it upside.
Let me know you think.
Thanks

[desertair27]

Well I tore into the Bargman L-77 door lock handle that was mounted upside down on my trailer and I'm happy to say that Bargman designs these lockset to be used in doors opening in either direction with only one different part needed. Bargmans engineering in this item is great,it allows you to flip parts from left to right,remove an aluminum pin and replace the one differnt part and bingo it works like a charm! I'll post a more detailed explanation and description once I learn the correct names for all the parts.
I did have to fabricate one part which works fine but I will be hunting down the original part.
The first picture is how I got it and the second is with everything swapped around.

[desertair27]

I did a reconnaissance mission on my trailer and found all kinds of goodies. I found the original set of baby moons which are in great shape I'm happy to report.
I also found the operators for the rear window which was removed to install the window mounted AC unit. The AC works pretty good and I'll leave it in the window till I finish getting the trailer usable. Afterwards I'm thinking about mounting a similar unit somewhere inside with a condensation drip pan and venting similar to Tinman54. I'd like to keep the roof line as original as possible.

[desertair27]

More goodies found! An assortment of taillight lens. Only the one Bargmann 99 is like the ones on the trailer.

[desertair27]

Lots of nice cork glued to the walls and overhead cabinets. It's gotta go ASAP!

[desertair27]

This almost looks like a mold for the missing Astrodome.