*'62 Ambassador, Hazel Revitalization*

[Hittenstiehl]

We are happy to have a new (old) trailer join us. We just completed the purchase of a 1962 Ambassador 28' double manufactured in Santa Fe Springs. We are glad to have this forum and all its Ambassador siblings to fall back on for guidance as we start our portion of this project. This trailer had a very fastidious PO (the 3rd) and it has had a partial professional redo by well known Uwe at Area 63 Productions. (yes we know how lucky we are) The outer shell had been lifted, frame worked on, inner shells removed, rewired, new sub floor, new flooring, fresh paint, new axels, new tanks, new wheels and more. The interior is fully gutted of furniture and we received all the innards with the purchase.

She has been named Hazel and is getting some tongue work, jack work and safety chains for a start and then we will go from there.

I know better and wouldn't dare post without pictures. The interior photo with the wires hanging is how we purchased it. The second to last photo with furniture is a photo before the PO dismantled the interior and the last one is the puzzle of furniture loaded inside for transport. The plastic tub was to catch the rain as it poured through one of the top hatches on our trip.

[ALUMINUMINUM]

How lucky to have found a gessoed canvas!

[LoisM]

Looks like a great puzzle to reassemble! Congratulations!

[flygrrl]

Hazel will be just beautiful, I intuit. Have fun!

[truckasaurus]

awesome

[Heliguy63]

Wow! Looks awesome! We purchased are 63 ambassador a month ago. Still working on securing the title. Once we do my wife and I will start work on it. It needs a ton of work! I'm am looking forward to the adventure. Can't wait to see more pictures!

[Hittenstiehl]

Thx for the encouragement, headed to Vintage Academy to gather some skills to start the reassembly. Found a wall mounted can opener/bottle opener in the parts, that was a nice surprise. Will post pictures as we go.

[Heliguy63]

How's the project coming? What is vintage academy? Any pictures yet?

[Hittenstiehl]

Thanks for asking as we have been very quiet here lately. The 62 is at the shop getting a new jack in the improved front area and a stinky slinky box on the rear bumper.

Part of our slowness is because we are still working on our 24' getting it ready for sale. It's like our money, thoughts and ideas are being pulled in two directions.

Vintage academy is an annual event in early May held in ABQ New Mexico. Its a 3 day learning seminar for vintage owners. There are presenters that teach a variety of classes to repair, restore and preserve the beautiful trailers another 50 years. Its advertised at Vintage Trailer Supply.

We recently took the stove, toilet, and some light boxes out of the 62 and sold them in ABQ. We should have some pictures of the improvements soon.

[Hittenstiehl]

Hazel is in the shop and has received her new electric Bulldog Jack and some work on her front tongue area. Interestingly enough the front area dimensions are much different (shorter and not as wide) than those on our 1965 so not as much stuff (batteries and spare) will fit into the area as we did not wish to stretch the tongue.

The metal was cleaned, inspected and painted, some stretched metal added, new safety chains, new tray and rod for the propane tanks and new claw/jaw.

The jack is turned sideways to allow our pickup tailgate to come down fully while hitched.

Photo's show the before and after:

[Heliguy63]

Wow! Looks great so far. They did a good job on the hitch.

[Hittenstiehl]

With the front end looking better it was time to work on the back end. We wanted to have a stinky slinky area and this is what it is looking like so far. Should be able to store a bit of the logistical stuff in there. There is not enough room to mount the spare tire on the front so we are trying on the back since there is no storage door there. Still working out the bugs on stabilizing that spare tire holder as it shakes a bit much. Some before and after's of the in progress.

[Hittenstiehl]

At last posting the spare tire was still very wobbly and the (heavy) metal lid couldn't be opened all the way up because the tire was a bit to low. So some brainstorming later here is how she is looking. Was able to put a sturdy lock on so the tire doesn't walk away. Looking for something to put on the metal turn handles as they get quite hot and shopping for some stainless handles or lifters for the steel plate. Might even be able to store the outdoor rug in there or certainly on top.

[Heliguy63]

Wow the storage looks awesome! Did you make that your self?

[Hittenstiehl]

Heliguy, we did not do the work ourselves but help with the brainstorming. A young enthusiastic guy in a shop does some work for us and has fallen in love with Airstreams in the process.

[Minno]

Aren't you the clever ones!

Kay

[Studioman]

Is it ok to add storage back there like that? I thought I read you should NEVER add anything to the back, not even for the spare or a light-weight bike rack?
I'd LOVE to add something like this, even just for a grill and bikes.
Did I misread all I read on this issue? Or does that only apply to single axle trailers?
Thanks!

[Hittenstiehl]

We had read the same things so we were careful with how it was attached and secured. It will only house the stinky slinky, some hoses and maybe an outdoor carpet. But stay tuned for separation anxiety in the future. If it doesn't work we'll cut it off. ;o)

[Hittenstiehl]

Now that the bumper is done (minus a couple of lift handles) Hazel is getting some more work done to the front side. As happened with Henrietta there wasn't enough clearance to lift the bracket hangers without











bumping into the tanks. So our guy fashioned some risers that give clearance yet kept the bottles below the window.

Next make our way inside, its full of its dismantled contents, and try hooking up a battery.

[Hittenstiehl]

Thread closed but she Iives on.

After 7 years of ownership and lots of empty shell camping we sold our 62 Ambassador to a lovely family.

We did not do right by her as we had BIG plans and dreams. She did right by us and provided us many years of quite comfortable camping despite being a empty shell. We will likely regret giving up the "furthest along" trailer we've had so far. Uwe had done so much of the hard work before we bought it. We tinkered, we learned, we worked on lots of little things. We let life, project paralysis and other trailers take priority but we camped and made family memories and don't regret that a bit.

So long Hazel thanks for the memories and bring joy and adventure to your new family.