New airstream owner of a 1961 tradewind double

[Empigt]

Just got this a week ago from the original owners daughter. All original minus some of the materials and some painting they did in the 1980's. Plan is to strip the inside lift she'll and redo the subfloor and belly skins. Add a/c and pre-wire for solar and inverter and batteries. Then put the original interior back in and fix any issues with the woodwork and appliances. I know just saying that sounds way too easy. It will take some time.

[Empigt]

Trying to post pics

[Empigt]

More pics

[Bubba L]

Congratulations on your 61. That is a great sized trailer. In your dismantling, don’t throw anything away until the end. There’s a lot of stuff you can use as patterns. I communicate with friends of mine elsewhere in Tx every weekend that are in the process of a shell off reno on their 61 Tradewind. When time allows, please post some pictures and start a renovation thread. Good luck and welcome to the Forums.

[Bubba L]

Great interior. Those friends of mine have the pink Princess also. Looks great.

[Empigt]

Thanks. It's been hard finding pics of one like this. They all seem so different to one another. Is that the name for this interior color? Any idea what the material on the couch and curtains is supposed to be?

[57Vintage]

Look forward to following your progress.

[steinVT]

Great find. A survivor. It is interesting, your interior looks almost exactly like the original interior of my '62 Ambassador which is 28', only slightly more compact. All the elements are the same (except mine was totally trashed).

Other elements you might add to your list would be new axle and tanks. I am guessing you have an black tank and fresh water tank only. I always replaced my fresh water tank, but your might not need to.

As Bubba said, do start a reno thread. It is the perfect way to document your work for the future and get help from great restorers like Bubba and 57Vintage.
It is easy to get overwhelmed, just remember to have fun and take it "One bite at a Time"- Mark

[Bubba L]

Originally Posted by Empigt

Thanks. It's been hard finding pics of one like this. They all seem so different to one another. Is that the name for this interior color? Any idea what the material on the couch and curtains is supposed to be?

The interior walls looks like they may have been painted by a PO. The original interior paint was Zolatone. Back then there was only two or three colors offered. Zolatone is still available. Have no idea what material you have for the curtains and gaucho. You may consider ordering replacement items well ahead of time. Things like your Trail Lite #98/99 tail lights may be out of stock and you need to get on the waiting list. If your torsion axle is original, that would probably need replacing (long lead). There are a few places that sell vintage reproduction parts. From the pictures it looks to be in original shape. Post questions if needed.

[Empigt]

Ya. The walls have been brush painted with what looks to be house paint. What does zolatone look like. I've painted many cars in the past but zolatone is new to me. Is it a textured paint? Luckily the original owner bought a brand new set of tail lights that were in one of the cabinets. Shocking what they paid for a new set. All of $7.95 each. Price tag still on the box. They also bought a few if the teardrop running lights. Still need about 3 if each color. I figured a new axle is in-store for it. It pulled great but the camber does look bad.

[Bubba L]

Zolatone is considered a splatter paint. It has tiny paint balls that splatter when sprayed on a solid surface (www.zolatone.com). It’s been around for decades and takes low pressure equipment to spray correctly. It’s probably the most durable and washable paint I’ve used. I’m assuming you have a torsion axle versus springs. I think around your year of Airstream they switched to torsion after the Cape Town to Cairo caravan. Torsions have the camber but the torsion arm position is what determines the condition.

[Empigt]

Thanks so much for the help. I'll look into the zolatone and axle. I know it is a torsion axle.

[Empigt]

Another question.... Should the kitchen sink be white? And all other equipment be pink? The fridge is pink but very faded.

[Rick n Mary]

Originally Posted by Bubba L

Congratulations on your 61. That is a great sized trailer. In your dismantling, don’t throw anything away until the end. There’s a lot of stuff you can use as patterns. I communicate with friends of mine elsewhere in Tx every weekend that are in the process of a shell off reno on their 61 Tradewind. When time allows, please post some pictures and start a renovation thread. Good luck and welcome to the Forums.

As you disassemble take multiple pictures of all steps as you disassemble it.

I made this mistake with a motorcycle.

If you don’t use the item again, it will help with a new or reused item.
Good luck! Rick

[Hittenstiehl]

Very nice find. She is a beauty.

Colin Hyde Trailer Restoration in Plattsburg NY for new axels he'll just need your year and serial number. Consider a lift kit, also available from him, if you offroad or boondock.

Vintage Trailer Supply for marker lights (they wont be $7.95) and lots of other stuff.

Vintage Airstream Club for great archived articles on repair.

Vintage Aistream Gaskets out of CA for window and door seals. He also has informational archived documents.

AirForums, start your own thread or continue this one for continuity of questions and pictures. An annual support membership (not required) here is $20.00 which allows unlimited photos and less advertisements.

Google AirForums Zolotone and find lots of previous threads that outline the multi step process.

Read, read, read AirForums there are some great and very knowledgeable folks here who know the answers to all your questions. There are also a great many of us who are full of opinions and needless chatter but we mean well. You'll sort those folks out soon enough.

Welcome to Airstream Anonymous where one fix begets another.

[Hittenstiehl]

PS that couch/front gaucho looks in original configuration. Likely some plaid, green, gold or orange fabric.

Look here in AirForum under the specific year and model and you will find a photo section with some images from particular examples. They usually show an image of several Ohio and California build examples if available.

In the archive section of Airstream they also have a year and model section that has archived pictures, articles and time period advertisements.

[Trowbridge]

Congratulations. You'll have fun with the project. A tip for the door-in-a-door...the one piece of your trailer nearly impossible to replace if damaged. The closure hold-down clips can work themselves open when the trailer and/or door flex (ours did on a 400 mile drive home with the old axles on it...grrr).

A simple and clean prevention trick is to drill a small lateral hole in the base of each hold-down clasp, and put in a slide-in hairpin retaining clip like https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Ste...a-874581215455.

Easy peasy and you'll never have the disaster of having the door-in-a-door slam open while trailering.

[superChop]

Another welcome to the Vintage world! As others have said take a lot of fotos during the renovation and bring buckets of cash to complete the process!

My advice is to keep a list of all items your purchase for your yet unnamed beauty! Then when you want to insure with a company like Progressive, you will have information to establish the value of your new AS for insurance purposes.

Enjoy the journey as you bond with your new friend!

After the renovation, signup for some AS Rally’s, Caravans and join an AS club near you.

[Slats]

Originally Posted by Empigt

Just got this a week ago from the original owners daughter. It will take some time.

Welcome to the Aluminum Asylum. The head therapist here has new arrivals memorize and repeat, mantra-like, this very helpful riddle:



Q: How do you eat an elephant?


A: One bite at a time.

[Phil and/or Sue]

Originally Posted by steinVT

...

Other elements you might add to your list would be new axle and tanks. I am guessing you have an black tank and fresh water tank only. I always replaced my fresh water tank, but your might not need to.

...

Mark

An interesting and challenging project. Is this project a "restoration" or rebuilt/upgrade? For example, trailers before 1973 did not have a grey water tank, so often a "blue-boy" was used. However, when upgrading an old trailer (especially when a big teardown/rebuild), some people like the addition of a grey tank (piping and valve) in the belly (may be challenging to fit) which adds some convenience.



Of course a strict restoration would not include that.



Phil in gorgeous Young Harris, Georgia, USA