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06-02-2008, 01:46 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
1964 28' Ambassador
calgary
, canada
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 15
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mahogany woodwork and age of airstream
I`m going to look at a Land Yacht this weekend. They think the age is in the late `70`s. It also has the mahogany woodwork, wood grain fridge. All the pictures I have viewed online with the mahogany seem to be in the `60`s. Also, it has been sitting for a few years, if anyone has some tips on what I should watch out for it would be greatly appreciated. I`m new at this. Thanks.
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06-02-2008, 01:49 PM
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#2
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2 Rivet Member
1976 25' Caravanner
Tarpon Springs
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 26
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If you want to know what year the unit is, post the website where the pictures are and I am sure someone can help you figure it out. Best of luck
Rod
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06-02-2008, 01:52 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1963 26' Overlander
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,640
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Welcome to the forums.
As stated by Air2D2, if you could post a picture or two that would help the many experts on this site identify this trailer's year and model. Alternatively, if you have the VIN, that can generally be used to decode the year and model as well.
I know that some of the International models in the mid/late 60s used Honduran mahogany which looked very nice IMO, but my understanding is that in the mid/late 70s, there was not much real wood used, instead they used a lot of laminate veneers or "simulated wood grain."
But I'm no expert-- if you have any pictures, those will help, and good luck with your purchase!
-Marcus
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06-02-2008, 01:59 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1967 28' Ambassador
1963 19' Globetrotter
1970 29' Ambassador
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,180
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Quote:
Originally Posted by happycamp100
They think the age is in the late `70's.
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Your best bet is to find out what the serial number is... from that, you will be able to identify the exact year. If you have any picts post them and you will get some close guesses as to the correct year.
As far as what to look for... are you looking for a renovation projest or an immediately usable trailer?
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06-02-2008, 02:05 PM
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#5
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1 Rivet Member
1964 28' Ambassador
calgary
, canada
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 15
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I actually don`t have pictures of it but will take some when I see it(and try to figure out how to post them!) I will call and try to get VIN. I don`t know how much luck I will have it`s sitting on a farm at the moment. I am looking to use it immediately but it will be parked at our cottage. I do however have to get it there.
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06-02-2008, 02:31 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
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Shari 'InsideOut' has a spreadsheet on this. Can't find the link right off. But I've PM'ed asking her to look in here.
Yeah, and ditto on Steve. Get us the VIN and we'll have it for you in under 5 minutes.
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06-02-2008, 03:22 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1967 28' Ambassador
1963 19' Globetrotter
1970 29' Ambassador
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,180
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CanoeStream
Shari 'InsideOut' has a spreadsheet on this. Can't find the link right off.
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look here --->
http://www.insideout-design.net/VintageAS-models.html
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06-02-2008, 05:59 PM
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#8
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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IIRC, the actual "wood" ended circa 1972. We have a '74, and the only real wood in the trailer is the plywood in the floor, and under the formica countertops.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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06-02-2008, 07:55 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1971 27' Overlander
Central
, Ohio
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,365
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I think it was 70 wasn't it Terry. Our 71 has laminate - a 69 and 70 we looked at had wood, which we really wanted, but they both needed floor repairs.
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06-02-2008, 08:23 PM
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#10
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ganglin
I think it was 70 wasn't it Terry. Our 71 has laminate - a 69 and 70 we looked at had wood, which we really wanted, but they both needed floor repairs.
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It may have been, but I saw a '72 Sovereign with wood cabinetry. Not all of them, just the small bulkhead in the living area, and a couple of minor shelves. Our '72 Argosy was all laminate, so the age of wood was fading fast by that time.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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06-02-2008, 09:35 PM
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#11
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3 Rivet Member
1970 31' Sovereign
Denham Springs
, Louisiana
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 121
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We have a 1970 Sovereign, and as I understand it, 70 was the last year for wood.
You should look for peeling veneer, but if the veneer is there, it can ne reglued easily. The real wood looks very nice. Ours is walnut. If you get pics I can help ID the age.
Greg
__________________
Greg, Ashley, Olivia, and Jane Ashley
AIR # 13681
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06-03-2008, 03:09 AM
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#12
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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It is "real wood" under the plastic, just little chips of it held together with glue...
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06-09-2008, 08:54 PM
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#13
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1 Rivet Member
1964 28' Ambassador
calgary
, canada
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 15
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Hi all :Ok I`m realizing now that I`m in the motorhome general questions. (Told you I`m new at this) I have a serial number S-128410137. It is an "ambassador land yacht. I did buy it and hope I don`t live to regret it, they are really hard to get a hold of around here, so I thought I would take my chances. I did find an old keychain (maybe from servicing?) that has 1964 on it. It needs a bit of work to get it functioning so I`m very grateful to have this forum for reference!
Thanks
Jane
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06-09-2008, 09:00 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1967 22' Safari
1960 Caravel
Edmonds
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,445
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Hi Jane,
That VIN looks pretty close to what is found here. Do the photos on the link at all resemble your Airstream? By the way, congrats on your purchase, whatever it turns out to be!
__________________
Mel
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06-09-2008, 09:07 PM
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#15
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1 Rivet Member
1964 28' Ambassador
calgary
, canada
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 15
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Thanks Mel
That`s it!. The guy I bought it from said it was mahogany but it is oak. at least it`s wood though! Almost exactly like the pics. Would flourescent lights be original?
How about parquet (Wood) floors?
Jane
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06-09-2008, 09:09 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,701
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Quote:
Originally Posted by happycamp100
Would flourescent lights be original?
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Nope.
Quote:
Originally Posted by happycamp100
How about parquet (Wood) floors?
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Nope.
We have a 1964 GlobeTrotter which is quite a bit shorter than an Ambassador, but it has much of the same detailing and was very original when we got it. Neither parquet floors or fluorescent lights are original or standard in '64s. Please post pics of your "new baby" when you get a chance!
Hope you will enjoy yours as much as we have ours ~
Shari
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06-10-2008, 11:18 AM
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#17
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1 Rivet Member
1964 28' Ambassador
calgary
, canada
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 15
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Here are a few pictures. OK, OK I did say I wasn`t looking for a reno project. Does anyone know what color the light fixtures probably were. I`m sure they weren`t hot pink! Shari where did you get those beautiful awnings on the windows!
Jane
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06-10-2008, 01:52 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,701
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Nice! Thanks for the pics ~ doesn't look like a "fixer upper" to me...looks pretty ready to hit the road!
Our '64 sconce lights are painted zolatone to match the walls. Some other other's I've seen are satin chrome or brass. You might try stripping them to see what you get ~
Quote:
Originally Posted by happycamp100
Here are a few pictures. OK, OK I did say I wasn`t looking for a reno project. Does anyone know what color the light fixtures probably were. I`m sure they weren`t hot pink! Shari where did you get those beautiful awnings on the windows!
Jane
Attachment 62138
Attachment 62139
Attachment 62140
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I made the window awnings...
Shari
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06-10-2008, 02:15 PM
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#19
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1 Rivet Member
1964 28' Ambassador
calgary
, canada
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 15
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Wow, Shari you are very talented. How did you attach them? It did look like there was some sort of slot above my windows. Have you considered doing an article on this?. Any ideas what to do with the vinyl padded sections on the walls?. they are attached with rivets. I will try scrubbing the paint off first, but I`m doubtful that will work. I guess I could spray over them and remove them as a last resort. I`ll try stripping the lights! Thanks!
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06-10-2008, 03:04 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,701
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Quote:
Originally Posted by happycamp100
Wow, Shari you are very talented. How did you attach them? Have you considered doing an article on this?.
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They are made with small triangle pockets on the bottom two corners and then I added riveted on snaps on the window frames and the awning fabric. They just snap onto the windows and the window frame itself provides the support. I do have some pics of the details somewhere...maybe I will make a thread showing the detail so you & others can see what I mean.
Quote:
Originally Posted by happycamp100
Any ideas what to do with the vinyl padded sections on the walls?. they are attached with rivets. I will try scrubbing the paint off first, but I`m doubtful that will work. I guess I could spray over them and remove them as a last resort.
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Rivets are easy to drill out. If it were me, I would make new pads using the existing ones as templates/patterns. I don't have those panels...they were part of the upgraded "International" package, but I have seen them in other trailers and they are pretty cool. Keeps you from getting a "cold bum" in the middle of the night! You could make new ones in any vinyl or fabric of your choosing...could be neat. I have thought of adding them to our GT, but just haven't gotten around to it. Unfortunately, I don't think that a stripper would remove the paint w/o damaging the vinyl...or leaving the vinyl stained "light pink".
Quote:
Originally Posted by happycamp100
I`ll try stripping the lights! Thanks!
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The lights should come out fine...I stripped ours in our '56 and they came out beautifully! They are sooo cool, I can't imagine anybody wanting to paint over the retro fiberglass lenses of the 50's ~ oh well they did...as well as the rest of the trailer!!!!
Shari
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