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01-08-2011, 08:09 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
1973 29' Ambassador
Peachtree City
, Georgia
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 8
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Hello from SPEED/Top Gear on History in our 73!
Hi everybody,
Very glad to find the forum...I travel with the NASCAR circuit for my work on SPEED, as well as I'm one of the hosts on Top Gear on the History Channel, and I love almost anything with wheels.
I've admired Airstreams for years and my wife and I decided we should find one so that she and our two young daughters can hopefully travel with me to some of the races this year.
I stumbled upon this trailer on craigslist this week about 20 miles from me in GA. I had to dig it out of the hole it has been sitting in for the past 20 years, but after some air in the tires and a very slow drive home, we made it.
It's a 1973 Ambassador 29ft with twin beds and a rear bath.
Here's a couple pics as it looked when we got it home.
And after two different pressure washers not working on me, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I still need to grab a ladder and scrub up top, but it cleaned up pretty nicely.
I've got lots of questions and I'm hoping I can find a good FAQ section and read up. The inside is beyond nasty and we need to totally gut it. I've got a dumpster and a smile, as well as a good mold respirator, so we're raring to go.
Thanks for having me!
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01-08-2011, 08:54 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2021 27' Globetrotter
Saint Louis
, Missouri
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,108
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Congratulations!
Let me be the first to say -- Your axles are shot!
And welcome to the forum.
__________________
Dennis
BRN #20321 Air #4056
"Oooh - They have the Internet on computers now!" - Homer Simpson
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01-08-2011, 09:21 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2005 22' Safari
Hyde Park Place
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 973
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Top Gear presenter? Wow, we're keeping some good company. We'll probably see this trailer win a game of "trailer conkers" in a future show... Or converted into a space shuttle - since the US doesn't have 3-wheeled cars like the British Reliant Robin.
Welcome.
__________________
TX-16
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01-08-2011, 09:24 PM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
1963 24' Tradewind
Anderson / Sun City
, Indiana / Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 444
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Welcome from an Airstream aficionado, and Top Gear fan. I have watched Top Gear on BBC from the first episode, and now follow the US Top Gear. Your guys are off to a great start.
You can find much info right hear of the Forum, and there are many "experts" to offer advise and opinions.
Whether you want to do it yourself, or find a quality Airstream restorer, you will be able to get pointers here.
Good luck with your new series, and "we'll see you down the road".
__________________
Mike Brumback
WBCCI #1200
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01-08-2011, 09:44 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1962 22' Safari
1957 22' Custom
1963 16' Bambi
Vacationland
, Maine
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 956
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Park
Top Gear presenter? Wow, we're keeping some good company. We'll probably see this trailer win a game of "trailer conkers" in a future show... Or converted into a space shuttle - since the US doesn't have 3-wheeled cars like the British Reliant Robin.
Welcome.
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Speaking of space stuttle conversions....well, that's already been done, but I would not let that Top Gear crew get too close to your trailer from what they have done to a few on the show.
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01-08-2011, 09:49 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2005 22' Safari
Hyde Park Place
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 973
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Embarrassingly, this is the highest altitude ever reaches by a British Aeronautical and Space Administration rocket-car!
To explain "conkers" to our American counterparts...
__________________
TX-16
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01-08-2011, 10:20 PM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member
1999 25' Safari
Fairburn
, Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 74
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Looks like a pretty nice trailer. It's amazing what a little water will do!
If I can answer any questions or be of any assistance, send a message. I'm not too far from you.
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01-08-2011, 10:33 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1967 26' Overlander
Winston Salem
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 524
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Hi Rutlege,
Welcome to the Forums and congrats on your first Airstream.
This is the site for all things Airstream.
What is your tow vehicle?
On your show, the Buick Roadmaster would have been a cool tow car.
TV show is cool.
__________________
Greg
Winston Salem, NC
WBCCI 5218,
Corresponding Secretary Piedmont NC Unit 161,
1967 Overlander International.
1979 Avion 30ft rear bath
TV's 88 Chevy Suburban 454, 3:42, TH400
95 Cadillac FW Brougham, LT1,3:42, 7k tow pk.
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01-08-2011, 11:00 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2018 30' Classic
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 666
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Welcome to the forums! You'll get all the information you need to refurb your trailer here.
We love the new show, as longtime viewers of the BBC version we were kinda skeptical, but ya won us over.
Good luck with the trailer, remember to post lots of pictures, we love pictures!
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01-09-2011, 12:26 AM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
1963 24' Tradewind
Anderson / Sun City
, Indiana / Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 444
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Rutledge,
Wear this jacket to your first Airstream Rally, and you will fit right in with this crowd.
__________________
Mike Brumback
WBCCI #1200
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01-09-2011, 12:42 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1978 28' Ambassador
Morada
, California
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,584
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Rutroe....welcome to the 'pack' of AS'ers...
We got a similar AS, a few years newer, but with a similar floor plan as yours...
On this thread, I've shown some of the stuff we've done to our 78 Ambassador, twins/rear bath:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f173...tml#post925376
With regard to the remarks about your old axles...I've changed ours - see post #18, etc...if you compare the way your tires 'ride' inside your fender wells with the pics of ours, after the axle change, you can get an idea of how much yours have 'sagged' over the years...
Here's the same shots that I've increased the brightness on so you can see the TOP of the tires being visible - you can see the original pics on that same thread noted above...
Looks like you've got a 'fun' project ahead - try to keep in mind; It's the 'journey', not the 'destination'... lots of 'fun' to work on, and few of us are ever entirely finished, as we discover new stuff to do from other forum members here...
Enjoy...
__________________
Ray & Pat; Morada, CA
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01-09-2011, 12:48 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1978 28' Ambassador
Morada
, California
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,584
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I found a BEFORE pic of our AS when we picked it up and you can see the axle 'sag' on the 30 year old axles...
__________________
Ray & Pat; Morada, CA
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01-09-2011, 09:01 AM
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#13
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Addicted
1971 27' Overlander
Currently In: Skowhegan
, ME
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 703
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Welcome to the forums....loved topgear uk for years and years (seen literally every episode) and just got into the american version (to be honest it took a few episodes, but new I'm hooked). Anyway, keep the stig in line on this side of the pond -- we don't want any of that soap opera here!
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01-09-2011, 09:07 AM
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#14
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Certainly Blessed
1971 27' Overlander
Waiting to Escape....
, Somewhere between sanity and insanity ... on the brink of both.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,791
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Caravan Racing
Welcome! We somehow missed the premiere of Top Gear US (long time UK Top Gear Fan), we just spent several nights catching up. It seems like you guys are getting into the groove.
Just one request. If you decided to do Caravan (RV) Racing.. please no airstreams....
For those who have never seen it (and it's great):
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01-09-2011, 11:15 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1958 26' Overlander
Mesa
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,742
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Good luck and welcome to community. You've come to the right place for information and advice. The vintage owners have all been where you are now. Just remember that this process is a marathon not a 40 yard dash. Take it one project at a time or everything will appear overwhelming.
__________________
1958 Overlander
2011 Wolf Creek 850N TC
2011 Ford F-250 Crewcab (6.2L), 3.73RE
WBCCI #5661/AIR #5661/TAC # AZ-6
4CU 1st VP
My '58 Overlander Restoration and Travel Blog:
https://mellomikesairstreams.blogspot.com/
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01-09-2011, 11:41 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2005 22' Safari
Hyde Park Place
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 973
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Sooo, what do you want to do with this Airstream?
__________________
TX-16
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01-09-2011, 12:43 PM
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#17
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3 Rivet Member
2007 19' Bambi
2005 18' Westphalia
Evans
, GA
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 218
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Welcome.
My 18 year old son is a Top Gear fanatic and we live in GA too.
He loves cars. He currently drives a silver 2004 GTI VR6.
He has been carefully adding mods since he got it a year ago.
He is not too keen on Airstreams as he is 6'4" but a GTI fits him great because they have such a generous cabin.
I will have to share your posts with him as I know he will want to keep up on your progress. He may not like camping in an AS but he does have an interest in restoring one. He sees the possibility of $$$ and he always wants to improve his mechanical skills.
There are two rallies in GA. Late May (TAC @ FDR SP)and early April (Springstream). People stay in AS's in all manner of repair and disrepair, SOB's and even in hotels at Springstream. I have never been to a TAC rally so I am not sure of their rules.
Rallies are a great source for ideas and inspiration.
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01-09-2011, 01:07 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1997 34' Limited
1970 27' Overlander
South of Atlanta
, Georgia
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,709
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Rutroe,
Welcome to the forum. I am in PTC as well. If I can be of any help, just send me a pm.
__________________
Craig and Carol
1997 34' Excella 1000
1970 27' Overlander, International
2009 Ford F150 5.4L
ProPride hitch with 1400# bars
AIR 41028
TAC GA-8
WBCCI 10199
Past President Southeastern Camping Unit (12)
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01-09-2011, 02:16 PM
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#19
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Addicted
1971 27' Overlander
Currently In: Skowhegan
, ME
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 703
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bird's Nest
I have never been to a TAC rally so I am not sure of their rules.
Rallies are a great source for ideas and inspiration.
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WE HAVE NO RULES!!!!! Come one and come all!
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01-09-2011, 02:43 PM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member
2011 27 FB International
Lubbock
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 65
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For us newbies please decipher TAC and PTC. Thanks
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