Just purchased a 1968 22' Safari

[groovzilla]

Hello all,

I just returned home from a 20 minute drive to look at and purchase a local 1968 22' Safari.
I've owned several 1959-1968 Airstream's which all needed work.
My 1963 Globe Trotter that I owned for 5 years and fell in love with just didn't get used so we sold it in April 2022 and I've regretted it ever since.

There's something about just owning an Airstream and not only using it but just having it in your driveway or yard and looking at it once and a while is such a joy and I guess somewhat necessary for me.

The Globe Trotter was just a little small for the 2 of us so I have been searching for a 22'.
Found this really nice un-restored/unmolested Safari last week and looked at it and purchased it today. I'm really happy to have found it and it has been owned by same family for 20 years.

Original floors, original cabinets/storage all intact. Everything works except the A/C and one of the copper pipes needs replacing.
Has the original awning intact.
It even has a set of interior storm windows that were made custom for it.
Has 1 small area where aluminum was patched near the water fill.
Floors are all solid as well as the entry step. There is a small soft spot in front of the toilet about 8" round that I'll repair.

*Once I get it home in a couple of days I'[ll get more photos.

[Bubba L]

Looks good and congrats on your 68. Our first was a 66 Safari. They are comfortable. Good luck and I’ll hold you to posting more pictures once you get it home.

[groovzilla]

Well got my Safari home last night. It hasn't been towed for 10 years and stored on blocks undercover so tires & axles in great condition and pulls really well.
Tow lights not working so hope as is with other Airstream's I've purchased just the bulbs needing replacing.

Needs new battery and I just need to go thru it completely but interior outlets work when I plugged it in last night. Couldn't try 12v interior lights w/dead battery

**Has an electric jack which is really nice - Never had one before.
Owner had to hook up his car w/jumper cables to AS battery to power the jack since AS battery is dead.
I also left my rear hatch open when I hooked up the hitch and jack gets in way of clearance so drove 25 min home with hatch open.

Looking forward to digging into the trailer.

I have a stack of service records and paperwork - Original owners manual with name of original owner! Never had an owners manual before!

[groovzilla]

Bubba L ---> Was going to ask you if you know a source to purchase the curved glass?
The curved window on front street side is Plexi - Actually looks good and I thought it was glass but for sure it's Plexi

5 years ago when I restored my 67 I was able to purchase the glass from VTS but now they no longer carry the glass.
**And I've seen horrible reviews for InlandRV which was once a great parts venue - Lots of people getting ripped off waiting months for parts and no response from business.

Last time I purchase any parts was 3 years ago when I restored my 63 Globe Trotter - I've noticed many parts no longer available at VTS.etc.

Any help appreciated!

[Dennis C]

I was wondering why I never saw you over here…

[groovzilla]

Originally Posted by Dennis C

I was wondering why I never saw you over here…

Sold my Globe Trotter in April
Thanks for stopping by!

[Bubba L]

Seems like the places we used to get the curved glass for the 66-68 no longer sells them. Over the last couple of weeks there has been someone posting that they produce them now. They were around $400.00 per. That seems a bit steep. You
May consider swapping out the plexi with Lexan so it doesn’t scratch or get affected by UVs and wait until someone is parting out one from those years.

[Tom Gattis]

That is really sweet - please share more pics

[Hittenstiehl]

Congratulations on your new old find. That Safari seems a very nice size and in pretty good shape for a girl her age.

I know how you feel my Globetrotters sitting in the backyard just not getting any use. Keep saying I'm ready to sell and then I hedge. My current excuse is when the Overlander goes for renovation will still be able to use the Globetrotter.

[Wazbro]

Congrats, don't really agree your 10+ year old tires are not shot though.

[Two Can]

Do tell. I’d love to know more. The jalousies on our 1964 Safari are great but not in cold weather! Congrats on your purchase!

[mrdes8]

Congrats, we really enjoy our '68. Curved glass has become an issue in the last few years, I might have been the guy to buy it all out 2-3 years ago as I bought 4 pieces, new and used. Now I've lost another, an original, rats. Saw a guy at a Colorado rally who had used plastic of some sort and had cut 2 wooden pieces to the curve of the trailer and screwed them to the glass to maintain the curve and keep the window operational, looked pretty good.
Good luck, Mark D

[dbj216]

Well, you have many symptoms of "aluminuma-itis. Seek medical attention right away or else you will end up with a herd of vintage Airstreams on your property.

The Safari 22' was a good seller. Maybe the Trade Wind 24' sold more, but I don't know. It sure looks like it will be a fun project.

You can start your project thread right here. We want to see what this old trailer is made of.

David

[PatLee]

Why don't you spruce her up and bring her to the International Rally in Rock Springs, Wyoming next year and show her off? I'd love to her in person. Maybe she'll have a name by then.

[groovzilla]

Always enjoyed this Airstream community! I'm also a Porsche nut and restored my 1959 356 Super Sunroof Coupe 25 years ago. It stays in garage mostly and I drive my 2006 997 C4 which has those creature comforts that make road trips a bit more tolerable
The Deco design of the 1953-1959 356 is just beautiful and reminds me so much of the Airstream design

[groovzilla]

As mentioned the trailer has been sitting on blocks for the past 10 years and not towed so I will make appt next month for the bearings to get repacked and new set of tires even though strangely the 10 yr old tires are in excellent condition with no cracks/not dried out as you would expect.

Yesterday I went thru the trailer and also purchased new Battery. Also plugged in the household current and tested interior lights/outlets/etc.
All outlets including exterior outlet are working fine.
Most 12V interior lights are working including the hinged bathroom Vanity mirror lights. My wife will be happy
The control panel above kitchen counter lights up and water pump working.
The retro airplane style lights above dinette needed bulbs which I had and got those working.

The 2 12V main ceiling lights in middle and front of trailer not working and not sure if bulbs. I haven't tried Porch light because lens is broken.
**VTS out of clear Porch Light Lenses?? Anyone know of parts supplier?

Did a little interior cleaning and took some photos.

Today I will be working on the trailer Tow lights. Haven't messed with them and hoping just the bulbs are out. I'll clean original round trailer harness connector. It's in great condition and not dried out like many I've owned
- I have a round connector on my SUV but not sure it is same 6 blade style - Will check it all out today.

[groovzilla]

Had a question regarding the Awning---> My past Airstream's didn't have an Awning.
Is there any particular step to take to release the Awning and how exactly does it work? *I see a pair of bolts on each leg (One has a T shape head) which look like they are keeping the legs from opening?
I assume I remove those - Once removed do you just pull out on the 2 legs to open it up?
And does it just lock into place? I assume it has some sort of spring action so it rolls back up.
My fear is the spring action is old and may not roll it back up properly?

Thx

[civeng99]

Boy that is in in nice shape. N right up my alley. Congrats!

[Dingo Girl]

Congratulations!
I think I just saw that trailer on Facebook marketplace this morning. If it's not it has a twin.
Have fun with that beauty!

[groovzilla]

WOW - Got nice big surprise today.
Planned to spend 1/2 the day figuring out tow lights issue. Plugged the original round connector into my 2008 Mercedes ML320 round tow connector and all tow lights are working.
I had no idea the mercedes tow receptacle was same style as the original round blade connector on the Airstream?
Even all the clearance lights are working which is amazing to me because it hasn't been towed in 10 years and out of the 12 or so Airstream's I've owned none of them had working tow lights. Always a loose wire or bulb socket issue.

The License plate light has no bulb so I assume it works.

So I am very happy.

Also very nice to have the electric Jack!! Never had one and boy are they sweet!

I plan to work on the copper pipes next week. One of them in rear compartment near battery is "split" from freezing. It's a tight fit but I think I can cut it and get a 1/2" coupler to fit and repair it.
I have no idea how the other pipes are - I tested water pump and it is working.

I'm also ordering new Propane regulator and Pigtails/hose. I painted the tan Propane tanks Aluminum today and got them in place.
Also found an Aluminum "T" hold down handle so purchased that today.

I've noticed many parts are out of stock at VTS ??