Well, after a few years of looking and passing on a few early Airstreams, I made the leap. I will be bringing this Safari home to the Atlanta from Arkansas area over the weekend of July 2-3. It's all there and in reasonably good conditon. I'll post restoration photos as progress is made.
The trip back from Russellville AR to Gainesville, GA yesterday was 641 miles door to door. I pulled the Safari with my 1997 Toyota T100 and while it didn't like the up hills much, it did a great job overall. The return trip was just over 11 hours. Those of you from north Georgia can probably relate when I tell you that the toughest part of the trip back was the last 35 miles...on 400 from Sandy Springs to the 369 exit to Gainesville. The most inconsiderate drivers on the planet must use 400 even on the weekends...
Anyway, I am very pleased with my new Airstream. It needs full restoration inside and I've started thinking about that. I'll be removing pretty much all the cabinets and take up the existing floor. I can feel some soft spots here and there and don't want to do a bandaid job on this so my initial plan is to work from the inside out. That said, I do need to figure out the jacking points so I can get it up on stands so I can check what's going on with the electric brakes. I had a controller installed in the Toyota and the signals indicated the brakes were working but I'm pretty sure I wasn't getting help from the trailer when stopping (I was rediculously careful on this point driving back from AR).
It seems this Airstream was sold new at Caswell's in Claremont, CA...
I'll post progress shots along the way. Hope to have it in usable condition (but not finished) before winter...
Jack
Hello Jack,
Very nice vintage Airstream Safari!
You noted that based on the placard the trailer was sold new in Claremont California on Foothill Blvd. FYI Foothill is part of the old US (route) 66. I live in an adjacent city, Upland, about 1 1/2 miles from Route 66.
Congratulations on getting the trailer home so the "fun" can begin. I am presently having a 1949 Trailwind restored and hope to have it road ready by Labor Day. Wishing you much success on your restoration.
Jack
There are 2 small squares just aft of the tires, these are the lift points on the main frame rail or some on the forum suggest it is better to use the axle mounting plates (NOT the axle)
Kevin - Thanks for the tip on jacking the Safari up. I only want to lift it when I work on the brakes and don't intend on putting it on stands for any length of time. I understand we're GA neighbors. I work in ATL but live in Gainesville.
Tom - The Foothills Blvd tip is significant news for me. When I get to the exterior work, I'll be sure to mask off what's left of the Caswell sticker and save it for nostalga. You also gave me an idea for an interior detail...I found some beige Route 66 wallpaper online whcih will go nicely with the textured aluminum walls. I may use this on the wood bulkhead area near the dinette...thanks for the tip.
Will post progress photos along the way. This Airstream was a good find and I'm glad I held off and found a good one. I almost jumped on a Globetrotter in NC last year but the interior had been gutted and it would have been a nightmare to restore and wouldn't have been correct I'm sure.
Hello Jack,
That's cool you might include some Route 66 decorating to reference your Safari's point of origin.
Just Google the address 950 w foothill blvd claremont from your Caswell's placard to see the actual location and designation of Foothill Blvd as Route 66. The address is now a mini mall and home to a Japanese Restaurant.
I look forward to seeing your progress on the Safari's restoration/redecorating.
Hey, Another useable '67 Safari going thru a restore/update! That's great! Good luck and Happy Trails, Ed
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1967 Safari Twin "Landshark" w/International trim package
2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab SLE FORUMS MEMBER SINCE 12/16/2004AIR#7110
"My tire was thumping, I thought it was flat. When I looked at the tire, I noticed your CAT!" Burma Shave
It's not an easy decision to begin to demolish parts of an old and timeless thing...car, trailer, airplane, or whatever. But, to bring something back to its original splendor, it has to be done. I want to get down to the subfloor and see what kind of condition it's in so Saturday July 10, I started removing the interior components (galley cabinets, non-original master berth, etc.). Some photos are below. What I learned so far...
The non-original master berth was a framed shelf for an air mattress. That's ok, the walls of the Safari are in tact as is the fresh water tank. I can deal with building a new and more period correct berth.
I have no less than 3 floors above the sub: linoleum, carpet, hardwood. Photo shows this. They all will be out by the end of next weekend...then can see what to do with the subfloor.
The old furnace will also come out by the weekend. Not sure yet what I'll do about heat but won't likely re-use this.
I took good measurements of the galley cabinets and also am saving the pieces, especially the end of the cabinet with the contour of the trailer wall.
I do plan to reuse the vent hood. I discovered a stainless steel paint last year and refinished an original Miami Carey hood in the house my parents built in 1968 with this finish. It looked so good, I also did the dish washer. The old hood in the Safari will look great with this finish.
The one thing I wish I could get straightened out right now is the old AC. The guy I acquired the Safari from said it only needed a capacitor. I actually found one last Saturday and bought a tall enough ladder to get to the unit and install the capacitor. The unit didn't start...I have to do some testing; I don't think I'm getting power up there right now. The wiring has been chopped on a good bit (like most of the old cars I've restored-not sure why people have a thing about cutting wiring and half-ass resplicing, etc.). My next big thing for now is getting some AC inside so I can work. We've had heat index temps in Atlanta north of 100 for several days now.
I mentioned in a previous post that I found some Route 66 wall paper. I did buy it and will use it in strategic places inside since the trailer was sold on Route 66 originally. Also found some Route 66 tapestry fabric and ordered a swatch. Could make the cushions out of it but that may be too much of a good thing...will see when the swatch gets here.
Good thing I've had some experience with fiberglass patching...nice opportunities in the wheel well areas to prevent rodents from moving in in the future...
Jack, Your interior looks just like mine. My trailer was made in Jackson Center, Ohio. I would like to know if you are trashing the interior or are you planning to reinstall it after you rebuild the floor & wheelwells? Updating the furnace and appliances while it is apart is a good idea. There is a tube on the furnace that has been a safety issue for many years! The area where a PO of your trailer put in the Master Bunk in my trailer is a twin bed/dinette area. Your trailer appears to still have the antenna crank in the wall to the left of the front window. Also the rock guard on your trailer looks to have been replaced by something different at some point. At least it still has one... which is good. The new rock guards just don't look right on a vintage trailer. Keep the pictures coming and let me know if you have any questions. I've been working on my trailer since I got it in '04. Good luck, Ed
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1967 Safari Twin "Landshark" w/International trim package
2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab SLE FORUMS MEMBER SINCE 12/16/2004AIR#7110
"My tire was thumping, I thought it was flat. When I looked at the tire, I noticed your CAT!" Burma Shave
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