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Old 11-28-2020, 01:58 PM   #1
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1960 28' Ambassador
Libertyville , Illinois
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 182
1960 Ambassador is mine today!

Finally after lurking in these forums since 2004 I finally brought one home! As you can see from the photos I have some frame challenges ahead of me. While I am not going to do it as a restoration, I would like the exterior to have a somewhat original appearance. So I am will be looking for an original furnace vent. In addition I am also wondering if anyone is able to confirm if the refrigerator vent is original?

Otherwise I don't expect to begin the project in earnest for a year or two. At least I can begin collecting the parts!
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Old 11-28-2020, 03:59 PM   #2
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1966 22' Safari
1955 22' Flying Cloud
Fredericksburg , Texas
Join Date: May 2015
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Congratulations on your new project. It looks to be in really good shape. Is the interior original, like with the Princess stove? There are some pretty good interior pictures on Vintage Airstream Archives/Pictures. Good luck and start a renovation thread when the time comes.
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Old 11-28-2020, 05:55 PM   #3
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1960 28' Ambassador
Libertyville , Illinois
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 182
Interior photos

Bubba L the inside appears to be a combination of original, replaced and missing. I wish the Princess stove and sink cabinet were both still there! I will definitely start a reno thread when the time comes. I am looking forward to receiving guidance and advice from those of you who have been down this path before me!
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Old 11-28-2020, 10:20 PM   #4
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1962 22' Safari
2016 30' Classic
Southeast , Michigan
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The fridge vent on the roof is not original. I have never seen anything even remotely close on an Airstream. That said, at least it appears to be aluminum and not white plastic.

P.S. there are a couple of parts I see that I would be interested in, if you will not be reusing them. I'll send you an IM.
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Old 11-29-2020, 01:53 PM   #5
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1976 Argosy 24
1961 28' Ambassador
1968 26' Overlander
Lakewood , Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2014
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Congrats again on your new project. I did a '61 a couple years back, very similar, mine had 1 more window stacked streetside front.Several differences also like water tank and possibly furnace placement.Mine needed quite a bit of frame repair and axle replacement. looks like you have issues in the hitch area, many of this era do, mine had already been repaired once before. I had to replace the outriggers for the stairs and had a couple sets made, have 1 set left, also some regular outriggers. Great trailer I think, lots of windows and plenty of space to arrange how you want. Ask anything you want.
Trailer on... Mark D
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Old 11-29-2020, 02:01 PM   #6
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1963 22' Safari
1960 22' Safari
1962 26' Overlander
Tucson , Arizona
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 12
Like you I have been lurking on this site for some time and I believe this is my first post. In that time I have renovated a '63 Safari and have a '60 Safari and '62 Overlander in process. This experience in no way makes me consider myself an expert but I can offer a source for a fridge vent that is period correct, if not exactly correct for your year and model. I have installed this on all three of my trailers. It works well, doesn't leak and is unobtrusive as it somewhat mimics the shape of the trailer.

https://highskyrvparts.com/new-airst...w-x-4-h-101394

https://highskyrvparts.com/new-airst...-collar-100341

As I said, I renovate. Everything comes out and very little goes back in terms of original equipment, but I hang on to it for others. I am willing to share if you have specific needs. I may be able to supply you with hardware, lighting, closet doors and other miscellaneous original bits for the cost of shipping. PM me. (I'm not really sure how that works, but it sounds viable.)
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Old 11-29-2020, 02:16 PM   #7
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1976 Argosy 24
1961 28' Ambassador
1968 26' Overlander
Lakewood , Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 403
Back again, wanted to add a few pics, took a while to find...
Well one anyhow showing street front with oven vent and wall vent over stove, furnace vent and fresh water fill...
Mark D
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Old 11-29-2020, 07:01 PM   #8
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1958 26' Overlander
Battle Ground , Washington
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Look forward to watching your progress.
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Old 11-29-2020, 07:33 PM   #9
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1956 22' Safari
1962 28' Ambassador
Williston , Vermont
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 493
Looks like you will be doing the same repair as I had to do on my '62 Ambassador. Because of extensive corrosion, I had to replace the first six feet of the frame. I have never seen a coupler completely separate before. I also see a shell off in your future.

Anyway welcome to the club. It is a great hobby that you meet a lot of interesting people and end up with a cool trailer when you are done. - Mark
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Old 11-30-2020, 04:26 PM   #10
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1960 28' Ambassador
Libertyville , Illinois
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Posts: 182
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdes8 View Post
Congrats again on your new project. I did a '61 a couple years back, very similar, mine had 1 more window stacked streetside front.Several differences also like water tank and possibly furnace placement.Mine needed quite a bit of frame repair and axle replacement. looks like you have issues in the hitch area, many of this era do, mine had already been repaired once before. I had to replace the outriggers for the stairs and had a couple sets made, have 1 set left, also some regular outriggers. Great trailer I think, lots of windows and plenty of space to arrange how you want. Ask anything you want.
Trailer on... Mark D
Thanks for the words of encouragement Mark D! My current plan is to put the rear 2/3 of the trailer back as it was built - adding 2 gray tanks on either side of the axles. I am thinking that the front 1/3 will look more a current 26RB with the large U shaped booth and a TV/table top storage area just inside the door. This will enable me to hide the water tank up front where it was originally. Still considering what to do with black tank. I expect a lot of frame repair between the A-frame and the door/step area. I believe the back is pretty good because they used a chain to haul attached to the rear bumper to drag it out of where it was stored. My biggest question is whether to keep the leaf spring or go with torsion axles. I am sure this question has been answered previously, but have not yet looked through that forum.
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Old 11-30-2020, 05:45 PM   #11
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1960 28' Ambassador
Libertyville , Illinois
Join Date: May 2004
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A Stone View Post
Like you I have been lurking on this site for some time and I believe this is my first post. In that time I have renovated a '63 Safari and have a '60 Safari and '62 Overlander in process. This experience in no way makes me consider myself an expert but I can offer a source for a fridge vent that is period correct, if not exactly correct for your year and model. I have installed this on all three of my trailers. It works well, doesn't leak and is unobtrusive as it somewhat mimics the shape of the trailer.

https://highskyrvparts.com/new-airst...w-x-4-h-101394

https://highskyrvparts.com/new-airst...-collar-100341

As I said, I renovate. Everything comes out and very little goes back in terms of original equipment, but I hang on to it for others. I am willing to share if you have specific needs. I may be able to supply you with hardware, lighting, closet doors and other miscellaneous original bits for the cost of shipping. PM me. (I'm not really sure how that works, but it sounds viable.)
A Stone thank you for the links for the refrigerator vent!
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Old 11-30-2020, 05:49 PM   #12
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1960 28' Ambassador
Libertyville , Illinois
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 182
Quote:
Originally Posted by steinVT View Post
Looks like you will be doing the same repair as I had to do on my '62 Ambassador. Because of extensive corrosion, I had to replace the first six feet of the frame. I have never seen a coupler completely separate before. I also see a shell off in your future.

Anyway welcome to the club. It is a great hobby that you meet a lot of interesting people and end up with a cool trailer when you are done. - Mark
Mark I love a good project. Rehabbing an Airstream has been on my list of things to do for many years. I have been camping for much of my life and have always enjoyed the people I have met along with they helping hand they are willing to provide. A frame off is definitely in the plan. I am curious how you fused the new six feet of frame to the original?
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Old 12-01-2020, 03:58 AM   #13
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1956 22' Safari
1962 28' Ambassador
Williston , Vermont
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 493
Check out posts in my Ambassador blog (link below) about the frame starting about #42 . Not sure what type your frame is, whether it's box channel or C-Channel. That will determine how you patch in. When I did the Safari, it was a box frame with internal corrosion and I ended up welding a complete new frame from scratch. The Ambassador was the structural C-channel which was fine except for the front A-frame. Once the shell is off, you will see how much you need.

I wouldn't think twice about replacing the axles with modern torsion axles, just do it. Nice knowing the axle isn't going to snap when you go over a rail road track besides having new brakes. - Mark
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Old 04-16-2021, 04:24 PM   #14
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1960 28' Ambassador
Libertyville , Illinois
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No working progress on the Ambassador yet. But we did name her "Sylvie" which other than the obvious, was the second most popular girls name in France in 1960 which seemed appropriate given she has the International option.

The other big news is Sylvie will soon have a new home after spending what appears to be many years outside...
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Old 04-16-2021, 06:27 PM   #15
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1964 17' Bambi II
1961 24' Tradewind
Strasburg , Pennsylvania
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdes8 View Post
I had to replace the outriggers for the stairs and had a couple sets made, have 1 set left, also some regular outriggers. Mark D

Hi Mark, I have read a few of your posts. I would be interested in a set of step outriggers such as you had made for my in-progress 1961 TradeWind. Do you have a set for sale, or maybe a pattern? I just got my step unit officially removed tonight, and the rear outrigger is completely toast. The other is rough has well.



Going to talk to my welder friend. Any pro-tips/pointers to reproducing these?
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Old 04-16-2021, 07:22 PM   #16
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1986 34' Limited
1975 27' Overlander
1969 21' Globetrotter
Conifer , Colorado
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I stumbled on to your Ambassador thread. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then.

My brother lived in Libertyville for many years. He has moved away like many retired folks tend to do. I always enjoyed my visits there.

Nice Airstream building. It's a nice way to work on an old Airstream. I'm lucky enough to buy a place here in Colorado with an outbuilding already existing. I enjoy being in there on a snowy afternoon drilling out rivets.

David
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Old 04-18-2021, 05:30 PM   #17
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1960 28' Ambassador
Libertyville , Illinois
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Hello David!

My wife and I have have immensely enjoyed our many years in Libertyville! I am looking forward to taking Sylvie apart. I don't know how many rivets I have in front of me, but I am looking forward to the process. I hope you won't mind if I send a question or two your way as it appears you have lots of experience!

Bob
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Old 04-18-2021, 07:28 PM   #18
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1986 34' Limited
1975 27' Overlander
1969 21' Globetrotter
Conifer , Colorado
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Hi short563: Oh sure, love to share my experiences for whatever they are worth. Free advice is worth what you pay for it. One thing nice about "project threads" as readers tend to stay close by and watch progress, and maybe help with problems or questions as they come up. At least I have found that to be the case.

A "Airstream Forums" friend steinVT is currently working on a 62 Ambassador 28'. He did a 55 Safari 22' already. And he is a skilled craftsman, no doubt about that. He needs no help with anything, but is willing to help me when I ask. You might want to take a look as his project thread in the Knowledgebase. Your trailer and his are similar. I do know Airstream started using the "DuraTorque" axles in 62. They don't have leaf springs or shackles. Airstream still uses them on new trailers. You might give consideration to upgrading to the new Dexter axle now called "Flex Torque", but it is basically the same design.

You can build your 60 Ambassador into a very unique Airstream indeed.

David
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Old 04-18-2021, 07:43 PM   #19
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Southeast , Michigan
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Just a slight correction. Airstream made duratorque torsion axle standard for 1961, not 1962. This was a Wally Byam decree after they broke so many trailer leaf springs on the 1959-60 African Caravan, while his Gold Trailer with a prototype torsion axle had no axle problems on the same roads.
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Old 04-19-2021, 06:09 PM   #20
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1986 34' Limited
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Conifer , Colorado
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Thanks Joe, I stand corrected. I must have had another senior moment. Anyway, if I was renovating a 60 Ambassador, I would look hard at an axle upgrade. I would take some serious fabrication, but I believe it can be done.

David
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