And so it begins...

[Dirk G]

Very excited about my new project. 1978 Sovereign shell off rebuild. Wife and I have been kicking the idea around for a while and pulled the trigger on it last week. I'm inspired by all the great information and ideas on this forum and cant wait to get going on what I'm sure will be a long road of ups and downs.

For now its back to devouring all the info in these threads...

Darren K

[Dirk G]

Thanks to 66Overlander i was able to find (and register) my wife's Great Grandparents WBCCI number for our new AS! How amazing is that?

Got it home Sunday and have been working every night since. It came stripped of the interior except the dividing wall. Ive pulled that out along with all the window trim, fans, mouse fur and plugs. This weekend is interior skins and insulation. Belly pan is on my list but Im trying to manage enthusiasm and reality...not my strong suite.

Pics and progress to come...

Thanks as well to wcronin4. I've read that whole thread twice through already. great stuff!

-Darren

[Bubba L]

Darren, welcome to the forums and congratulations on the WBCCI number. Joe, 66Overlander, has helped a lot of people. Great guy. Good luck on your reno.

[57Vintage]

Nice that you got the number that has family history for you. I waited a couple years to get the number our trailer started with in 1958. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

[Dirk G]

Interior skin is off. Was hoping to get the insulation out but that will have to wait til tomorrow. Interior door trim gave me a fight. My endcaps are super brittle so not sure what im gonna do there.
Insulation, belly pan and pics tomorrow. Time for a whiskey.

[Dirk G]

Need to scrape out some more insulation and crud. Belly pan will have to wait for next weekend. Cut out all the wiring to start over...except to fiber optics...thats too cool.

[dbj216]

Hello from Colorado. Welcome to the vintage Airstream hobby. You are right, these forums will be a great asset to you and your project trailer.

Disassembling the trailer is easy. My friend's Sovereign that we are rebuilding this winter was in rough shape. Many, many repairs to make. But we are making progress a little at a time. Our project thread is right under yours in this Forum.

Take photos of stuff you think might be important. The design and fabrication of the new stuff is very time consuming, at least for me. We are up to our necks in alligators on our 76 Sovereign project. I've spent two weeks just on the wardrobe closet in front of the bath. Everything is cut to fit.

Be sure to ask any questions you may have along the way. We all will help out where we can based on our experiences. It takes an Airstream village.

David

[Dirk G]

Thanks...im reading everything here including your thread and all the info is amazing.
Soo...first question. My AS has some hinges where the canopy should be. No problem i thought, ill get one later if i want...but now that the interior skins are off i can see a row of holes the whole lengthe (almost) of the trailer. Quickly realized thats where part of the canopy WAS.
If i get a replanment to match (and cover) the footprint, can i just put butyl tape under there or do i need to do something more to seal the existing holes.

[57Vintage]

Photos would be helpful. I assume you're on the curb side and referring to the upper mounts for the awning arms (hinges).

If so, the row of holes you see should be where the awning rail is placed. The end of the awning itself is slid into the slot of the rail.

https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/category-s/420.htm



Not all awnings have arms of this style, there are variations. If you plan on having awnings on the trailer now is a great time to install the pieces that attach to the shell as you can reinforce/seal the attachment points. Something else to consider