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Old 06-02-2008, 01:46 PM   #1
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1964 28' Ambassador
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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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Old 06-02-2008, 01:49 PM   #2
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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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Old 06-02-2008, 01:52 PM   #3
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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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Old 06-02-2008, 01:59 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by happycamp100
They think the age is in the late `70's.
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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Old 06-02-2008, 02:05 PM   #5
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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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Old 06-02-2008, 02:31 PM   #6
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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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Old 06-02-2008, 03:22 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CanoeStream
Shari 'InsideOut' has a spreadsheet on this. Can't find the link right off.
look here --->
http://www.insideout-design.net/VintageAS-models.html
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Old 06-02-2008, 05:59 PM   #8
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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.
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Old 06-02-2008, 07:55 PM   #9
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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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Old 06-02-2008, 08:23 PM   #10
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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.
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.
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Old 06-02-2008, 09:35 PM   #11
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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
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Old 06-03-2008, 03:09 AM   #12
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It is "real wood" under the plastic, just little chips of it held together with glue...
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Old 06-09-2008, 08:54 PM   #13
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1964 28' Ambassador
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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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Old 06-09-2008, 09:00 PM   #14
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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!
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Old 06-09-2008, 09:07 PM   #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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Old 06-09-2008, 09:09 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by happycamp100 View Post
Would flourescent lights be original?
Nope.
Quote:
Originally Posted by happycamp100 View Post
How about parquet (Wood) floors?
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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Old 06-10-2008, 11:18 AM   #17
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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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Old 06-10-2008, 01:52 PM   #18
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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 View Post
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
I made the window awnings...

Shari
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Old 06-10-2008, 02:15 PM   #19
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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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Old 06-10-2008, 03:04 PM   #20
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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?.
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.
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!
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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