Our 1960 - First day at home

[Bambi_Bandit]

3000 miles round trip in 5 days from TX to PA and back to get her.

Here are a few "good pics" that wife has taken with a "real camera", not a silly iphone that I would use

A few interesting finds:

Found the Original upholstery under the current covers. I can now see how the original teal worked with the teal walls in the bathroom and some of teal speckles in the zolatone paint. Even the backrest, armrest, and foam bed have the original upholstery hidden away, all simply stapled or zippered over.

Found the original canvas (I think that was the material) awning with poles and tie downs. Not sure how to judge it's condition without putting it up.

Original floor under the current linoleum. Don't think I can rescue that since the "new linoleum" was the peel and stick type right over the old...

Found that I have the rare Bargman L-77 door handle. I have the 2 keys and it still works, but am worried how to restore and rebuild this unit for another 50+ years of use... I know that VTS sells the cylinder and keys, but no other parts for these. Any suggestions on how to make this still working handle more robust for continued use? Lube, cleaning, etc?

[bwoodtx]

Kevin, that is one sweet lookin' trailer!!! can't wait to see it at a rally! congrats on your find-ah the joys of vintage ownership!

[nmbosa]

Sweet trailer and great pics. I love the detail in your photos. They actually just helped me figure out where one of my remaining trim pieces needs to be reinstalled.
Norm

[47WeeWind]

Kevin & Prim:

Beautiful trailer! I love the mixed patterns of mid-Century expanded metal and how they compliment and play off each other. The Zolotone paint looks very nice, with the right dash of gentle use. And there's plenty of hidden teal appeal quietly tucked away. The whole trailer has a very comfortable, lovingly used old jeans attraction, where you can sit back, relax, and kick up your feet without worry. Its a bit tooo nice to be Shabby Chic, but a little downgrading will cure that. Congratulations on your fun new playground!

[Bambi_Bandit]

One thing that puzzles me is the floor plan. I understand that CA and OH units had the bathrooms flipped, so I'm sure I have the OH unit, however, I'm confused as to the stove, sink and window locations. On some 1960 brochure I see the sink forward and stove rear, opposite of mine. I also noticed that some have the two forward windows streeside that are side by side, where mine are spaced apart.

Does anyone know what why or what dictated these differences?

[Silverwanabe]

Great unit!

You will need an ac with the Texas heat.

[Bambi_Bandit]

Originally Posted by Silverwanabe

Great unit!

You will need an ac with the Texas heat.

You bet Greg! Updates to the plumbing and electrical are on the list. Too bad carrier got out of the RV AC business....not a big fan of the dometics.

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by Bambi_Bandit

One thing that puzzles me is the floor plan. I understand that CA and OH units had the bathrooms flipped, so I'm sure I have the OH unit, however, I'm confused as to the stove, sink and window locations. On some 1960 brochure I see the sink forward and stove rear, opposite of mine. I also noticed that some have the two forward windows streeside that are side by side, where mine are spaced apart.

Does anyone know what why or what dictated these differences?

Send a PM to 47WEEWIND. Fred may be able to answer that off the top of his head.

Welcome!

Zep

[Lance M]

Very nice Kevin! Great pictures. Congrats to you and Prim. Glad you got her home without a problem. That trailer looks gorgeous. I would recommend hiding a truck sleeper AC under the bunk as Uwe has done many times. I think a big old lump on the top of an older trailer, albeit functional, just spoils the sweet shape.

[Aage]

Congratulations! Your trailer is in amazing condition for one that is 50 years old!

What do you plan on doing to the interior?

[pienjim]

Well, I think it's one cool Airstream. Where will you keep it?

Paula

[Prickly Pear]

Kevin,

That's a great looking trailer. When do you start the gadget upgrade.

Prim has a great eye for detail photos.

Jim

[worldinchaos]

Originally Posted by Bambi_Bandit

Found that I have the rare Bargman L-77 door handle. I have the 2 keys and it still works, but am worried how to restore and rebuild this unit for another 50+ years of use... I know that VTS sells the cylinder and keys, but no other parts for these. Any suggestions on how to make this still working handle more robust for continued use? Lube, cleaning, etc?

Well, as a backup, TG Twinkie is going through the awesome process of having a bunch of replacement L-77 handles made to help out people like me who have a stub remaining.

Based on our situation, it seems that the door got a little bent or flexed off-kilter just enough so that you really have to push it in hard to seal it against the frame. That basically means that every time you want to lock it you have to really hold the L-77 handle up hard to get the locking pin to fully clear the cutout. I think that's why mine broke-- too many hard pulls up. If the door had simply been fixed in the first place, it wouldn't have been an issue....

Just a thought, but I'm a complete newbie to this so what do i know.

[Bambi_Bandit]

Originally Posted by Top

Very nice Kevin! Great pictures. Congrats to you and Prim. Glad you got her home without a problem. That trailer looks gorgeous. I would recommend hiding a truck sleeper AC under the bunk as Uwe has done many times. I think a big old lump on the top of an older trailer, albeit functional, just spoils the sweet shape.

Hi 1SG,

I was thinking about that, but I'm afraid of what real estate I have after tanks and a battery bank for solar. I know that Eric Stoltz likes to use them but I've never seen how well they hold up in 108 degree heat of Texas. How much BTU do they put out? I was thinking of a 15K unit for the roof but open to other ideas.

Originally Posted by pienjim

Well, I think it's one cool Airstream. Where will you keep it?

Paula

Hi Paula & Jim,

We'll keep her in covered storage up in Round Rock, in the same facility where Cosmo stays. Only difference is Cosmo sits outside with her solar and keeps the fridge and battery topped off. This old girl will need some protection until I get the gaskets and vents / astrodome replaced.

I use the word "protection" loosely as we all know what happened to Cosmo when she sat under cover in the same covered facility in 2008....
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f381...ter-42332.html


As far as questions on the interior, Prim and I are still working on that. She wants to use some yellow based on the awning colors, but I'm not sure of the condition until I set it up. I was thinking of a vegas / rat pack inspired interior, but that's just conceptual. Who knows. Never had a vintage to play with like this before. This is all a big adventure for us, I hope everyone else is willing to join us for the ride...

[Bambi_Bandit]

Here's a funny find...

Found this fan, still plugged into the 110 above the fridge. Also found a screen that fit the fridge access door outside. I'm thinking the original folks know to keep the back of the fridge ventilated to work well, so it seems they rigged this fan and screen to circulate the air when parked on shore power.

[Silverfoxrae]

Originally Posted by Bambi_Bandit

Here's a funny find...

Found this fan, still plugged into the 110 above the fridge. Also found a screen that fit the fridge access door outside. I'm thinking the original folks know to keep the back of the fridge ventilated to work well, so it seems they rigged this fan and screen to circulate the air when parked on shore power.

Beautiful vintage fan!!! That's a sweet one. Older appliances did have a tendency of running warmer than the new stuff. Kind of a clever idea. Rae

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by Bambi_Bandit

Hi 1SG,

I was thinking about that, but I'm afraid of what real estate I have after tanks and a battery bank for solar. I know that Eric Stoltz likes to use them but I've never seen how well they hold up in 108 degree heat of Texas. How much BTU do they put out? I was thinking of a 15K unit for the roof but open to other ideas.

Hey Kevin,
The ones I saw were 7,000 and 10,000 btu self contained. Might be a stretch for one 10,000 btu in August. Two 7,000 btu units might be better. That would take up a lot of space though. If you do a complete frame off restoration and update the insulation with prodex or similar, I think one 10k might be enough. It is a great trailer for sure. Is it an all original survivor?

[nmbosa]

Originally Posted by Bambi_Bandit

Here's a funny find...

Found this fan, still plugged into the 110 above the fridge. Also found a screen that fit the fridge access door outside. I'm thinking the original folks know to keep the back of the fridge ventilated to work well, so it seems they rigged this fan and screen to circulate the air when parked on shore power.

That trailer sure is full of cool surprises. I'm waiting for your post that you found a wad of $100 bills in the ice box.

Looks like the same floor tiles I had in my '59 Overlander (but in way better shape).

[Splitrock]

Nice! Thanks for the update.