Visit our Popular Forums

Overlander & Sea · 02-14-2008, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3streams

Our vin indicates that it is an Ohio trailer- so were not sure about the wheel wells- we have been told that the shape of the arch will tell you what factory it came from- but I will trust the vin over the wheel well. You know how AS was - nothing consistent.

Here's a picture of our '61 Overlander's wheel well, it's Ohio built.

overlander63 · 02-14-2008, 07:50 AM

The galvanized water tank is held in place by several lag bolts. In the case of our trailer, the bolts came up through the floor from underneath. I cut off the bolts so I didn't have to rip out the belly pan. I then installed a plastic fresh water tank (15-20 gallon will fit in place, you can modify the area slightly to put a bigger one in), and plumbed a demand pump into the sytem. I used the original fill fitting with PVC pipe for a filler for the new tank.

3streams · 02-14-2008, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overlander & Sea

Here's a picture of our '61 Overlander's wheel well, it's Ohio built.

Here is ours...

I wil double check the vin this evening- but we looked it up when we got it and found it was Ohio- also the PO-s were both from Springfield, OH.

3streams · 02-14-2008, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

The galvanized water tank is held in place by several lag bolts. In the case of our trailer, the bolts came up through the floor from underneath. I cut off the bolts so I didn't have to rip out the belly pan. I then installed a plastic fresh water tank (15-20 gallon will fit in place, you can modify the area slightly to put a bigger one in), and plumbed a demand pump into the sytem. I used the original fill fitting with PVC pipe for a filler for the new tank.

Thats is pretty much what we are going to do as well. I figured I could even gain a little extra storage area under the bed once we go to a smaller tank- we will see how it works out.

47WeeWind · 02-14-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62overlander

My 62 is similar in many ways to yours... however yours is a California model, is that right? Those wheel wells are a direct give away. Here is the thing that stumps me... the toilet and shower are in the Ohio configuration.

Hi 62overlander:

The old assumption that wheel well profiles could always identify the plant where Airstreams were built is no longer correct. It was an early theory that still applies in some situations, but we have since learned from more recent observations that both plants often used the same wheel well profile during the same or adjacent model years. It is no longer a direct give away as there is more overlap than once thought. The VIN tag trumps wheel wells in every case.

overlander63 · 02-14-2008, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47WeeWind

The VIN tag trumps wheel wells in every case.

The same can be said for toilet/tub arrangements.

Frank's Trailer Works · 02-14-2008, 01:21 PM

Well, you learn something new everyday....

Click image for larger version

Name: IMG_0743.jpg
Views: 167
Size: 193.6 KB
ID: 54291

byamcaravanner · 02-14-2008, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62overlander

Well, you learn something new everyday....
Attachment 54291

I guess we can't all have a hump in our wells

Frank's Trailer Works · 02-14-2008, 01:29 PM

I feel so odd now with just the straight wheel well. I had always thought it to be streamline and sleek, now it looks freakish to me....

3streams · 02-14-2008, 01:30 PM

As Colin would say- "just take some tin snips to it" ..... if you really want a hump in your well

3streams · 02-16-2008, 01:13 PM

So there is this '61 Overlander on E-bay we were looking at- comparing it to ours. They are identical- then we noticed something odd about ours... the taillights are in a strange position. They are on either side of the rear window- so as to allow room for the spare tire mounts- this must have been custom ordered because there was no evidence of the taillights having been moved. I pulled out all our airstream books and got on the archives and I can't fine another trailer with the lights in the same position. We recently noticed the caravan sticker ghost on the trailer and are now curious if it went on an international caravan- maybe even the round the world caravan? The ghost # is 5057- does anyone have an old directory that would tell us a little more about it? Does anyone know of another trailer with the lights moved up like that?

Twotone · 02-16-2008, 01:56 PM

I noticed this on a few Airstreams myself. I was looking at a 63 Globetrotter and the taillights were on the corner skins next to the center panel. UWE has a 63 where the taillights are also positioned there. I also found a picture in the Vintage Pics site of a Globetrotter with the "outboard" mounted lights. Very few seem to have this taillight location. Yours appear to be mounted higher than the ones I've seen.

Overlander & Sea · 02-18-2008, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3streams

5. How do we make the funky water purifier work and function properly?
We appreciate any input and suggestions- thanks in advance!

I did get our Ogden Model AL water filter working this weekend. I used the new filter kit from General Ecology and a new large o-ring for the lid. It works great, I couldn't believe it. if you search "Ogden" there are several threads on it.

3streams · 02-20-2008, 07:34 AM

So we got a little more work done on the '61. It was Andy's birthday yesterday and he chose to spend it playing hooky and working on his trailer (I played hooky also and helped). We got all the removables taken out that we could get out for now. The tub is still giving us a little trouble- we will have another go at it tonight (its been soaking up lube for 24 hours now). There appears to be worm or termite damage to the floor covering the black tank. There was surprisingly little rot it the rear of the trailer- of course we have yet to see under the tub. There is some damage at the door and under the front windows- but the floor it pretty solid (much better than our '67). Our goal is to get the trailer campable for this summer- but next winter she will visit Colin @ GSM for a little more in depth work. So I picked up some off-white paint to cover up the "harvest gold" for now- but we will probably have Colin re zoalatone her in a custom color later. The cabinets have a couple of shelves that need re-placed for this summer- which we will do ourselves- but later will probably pull everything out and re-finish the wood. We are going to order a 28 gallon H20 tank from Inca and will still have room for a pump and other mechanicals under the bed. The fridge and stove just need a good cleaning for use this summer- but I am thinking of changing the brown color later on. Thankfully the PO put new mattresses in her and they are very clean- so thats one thing we don't have to worry about ordering. The gaucho will stay the same for this summer- but next year I am going to have it reupholstered. Also, Colin will widen the depth of the Gaucho by 3 inches (giving you just about a queen bed) and their upholsterer will do two cushions (no bolster underneath) making it easier to convert to a bed. Here are a few pictures of whats going on now...

friel · 02-22-2008, 11:07 AM

Nice work!
I repainted my appliances also fromt he same brown you have to a lovely retro looking tourquoise. Just a sugestion for you on that... I used POR-15 engine enamel, as regular paint has a nasty habit of catching fire (or at least bubbling and discoloring) on hot things like stoves. The POR for engines comes in a number of colors, the tourquoise happened to go with the look I was after.

Brian

05ModPod · 02-22-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overlander & Sea

Here's a picture of our '61 Overlander's wheel well, it's Ohio built.

We also have a 1961 Overlander - International - Sante Fee built with the same wheel well arch.

Nice e-bay find 3 streams - great progress too.....all in good time.

We surged forward to get ours roadworthy and then she has taken a back seat to the little 1963 last summer - and is now serving as a temporary storage for all the goodies out of the 99 Excella that has taken the front line even on my little LadyBug this winter.

Love your name '3streams' - must tell the hubby that our next acquisition has to be a newer full funtioning model

We had the same issue with the tub in the GT - no amount of release product would do the trick - we had to resort to cutting the fiberglass snug to the drain flange as it can not be done from underneath. As the gelcoat needs doing anyway, it will be no problem glassing in a new hole for a new drain piece.

Good luck with your restoration.

overlander64 · 02-22-2008, 12:58 PM

Greetings 3Streams!

In regard to the original dining table and chairs, I can provide a photo of my original drop-leaf dining table that is almost identical in structure to the original that friend's have in a 1960 Overlander that has been in their family since new. My table has been "restored" after a fashion. I preferred a solid oak top as oposed to the original Formica that matched the countertops; and Fowler Interiors did a wonderful job restoring the base and fabricating the new solid oak top utilizing the original top as the pattern (it is exactly the same size in all respects).

In the above, the top is fully extended.

In the photo above, the table is folded ready for travel. There is a factory installed hook on the floor of my coach near the street-side kitchen sink cabinet that accepts a tether rope/bungee that attaches to a similar hook on the bottom of the table.

Coaches equipped with these tables also often had a pair of Leg-O-Matic chairs to supplement the frount lounge for seating at meals. The photos below are of reproductions of the Leg-O-Matic chairs that I purchased from Camping World several years ago (they are no longer in the Camping World catalog). My Overlander has straps built-into the 3/4 wardrobe to secure the folded chairs for travel.

Your Overlander looks like its going to be a Gem in short order!

Kevin

Overlander & Sea · 02-22-2008, 01:44 PM

Wow! What great information on the original table and chairs. We've had our '61 Overlander for two years and I knew from pictures that the PO had the orginal table, so I called him just last week & he shipped it to me. The PO also mentioned about chairs he thought may have come with it new. This is the first time I've seen information & pictures of the chairs. Thanks again, perfect timing for us.

66Overlander · 03-31-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3streams

So there is this '61 Overlander on E-bay we were looking at- comparing it to ours. They are identical- then we noticed something odd about ours... the taillights are in a strange position. They are on either side of the rear window- so as to allow room for the spare tire mounts- this must have been custom ordered because there was no evidence of the taillights having been moved. I pulled out all our airstream books and got on the archives and I can't fine another trailer with the lights in the same position. We recently noticed the caravan sticker ghost on the trailer and are now curious if it went on an international caravan- maybe even the round the world caravan? The ghost # is 5057- does anyone have an old directory that would tell us a little more about it? Does anyone know of another trailer with the lights moved up like that?

I agree that the light position was dictated by the dual spare tire mounts. I have seen at least one other Airstream with lights in that location, but it was a 1957 without any spare tire mounts on the rear bumper (at least not anymore).

I have seen very few photo's of Airstreams with dual spare tire mounts. They are even rare in photo's from the 1959-60 Cape Town to Cairo and 1953-64 Around the World Caravans. It seems on those caravan's that extra spare tires were often carried in the tow vehicle.

OK, now on to your question of whether #5057 was on the Around the World Caravan, I'm afraid the answer is "no". I have been researching this caravan and also the Cape Town to Cairo Caravan, and have participant lists with WBCCI #'s for both. #5057 was not on the Around the World Caravan, but it certainly is a special trailer and may have been on other international caravan's, but unfortunately I do not have the information to be able to help you determine that answer.

3streams · 04-06-2008, 05:42 PM

I have gotten her interior painted to an of white. It will work for this summer and next winter when we strip her apart to really restore her she will get re-zolatoned. The tub came out and we put another layer of fiberglass on the bottom to reenforce it a little. Andy has gotten the window seals and cranks replaced. We hooked her up this weekend and towed her to GSM for a new axle and some system checks. She didn't leak at all!!!! It poured rain all the way up there and she had leaked like a sieve when we got her.

Here are some pictures...