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Caddyshack · 10-29-2012, 08:26 PM

First post here. I live with my wife I Atlanta. We are retired real estate investors, managing our own properties.

We have just inherited this Airstream (Bambi?). She has been sitting for six years and will need some restoration. Don't know how much. We are planning to get some new tires on her, check the wheel bearings and bring her home with us this week. She is about 40 miles from our home.

Being retired and mechanically minded I look forward to the restoration. We live in a warehouse and have lots of room.

Here is a photo, could someone help us identify her by year and type?

Bill

nilesrob · 10-29-2012, 08:35 PM

Awesome - congratulations on your new Airstream! Can't help identify it but you are in a good place on this forum.

Also, there is an active group of great Airstreamers in the ATL and throughout the southeast. Welcome to the forum!

Kevin245 · 10-29-2012, 09:08 PM

The wing windows look to be 1969. I'm thinking you have a Caravel.

http://www.airstream.com/files/libra...d62ecbae8c.pdf

Congrats and welcome to Airforums.

Someday'59 · 10-29-2012, 09:22 PM

Too cute! Looking forward to hearing all about your adventure!

Caddyshack · 10-30-2012, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin245

The wing windows look to be 1969. I'm thinking you have a Caravel.

http://www.airstream.com/files/libra...d62ecbae8c.pdf

Congrats and welcome to Airforums.

Thank you for the information and the warm welcome. Looks like you have a good group of people! Looking forward to getting to know you all better.

Bill

Aviator · 10-30-2012, 07:16 AM

If you can post the serial number, it should be fairly easy to identify. You can also go to the Airstream.com website which hosts a lot of info including a VIN decoder. There is a very active group of Airstreamers here in GA. A bunch of us will be camping monthly through the winter at various State Parks. The next one it Nov 9-11 at Hard Labor Creek SP. It would be great if you could join us. There is also a strong group of the WBCCI here which owns their own campground just north of Helen, GA. All will provide a great resource of information and help should you need it. PM me if you would like additional information.

AL’ UM- MONEY · 10-30-2012, 08:02 AM

Put April 5th on your calendar and get your AS ready to travel. Many in Ga. And southern states get together at Hawassee. You will see why folks love their AS and learn lots about them. welcome from BallGround .

pickerdd · 10-30-2012, 01:30 PM

Caddyshack - congratulations on the new (to you) Airstream!

Caddyshack · 10-31-2012, 03:44 AM

WOW! Excited about being part of this group. The AS

Caravel that we have belonged to my father who owned it for about 20 years prior to his passing in 2003.

About six years ago I loaned it to a friend who was building a country home in a secluded area, so he could live in it during construction. So it has been sitting there ever since. He never finished the house, but I felt it was time to get AS back.

We are going to have to clear brush and small trees. But chainsaws are a lot of fun! Get some labor guys to cut a path about ten feet wide and 75 feet long and we will haul her out of there! I will use my Polaris 6 wheel drive ATV to get her to the road.

1. Get the wheels off and new tires. Check wheel bearings and (what else)??
2. New tires and repack wheel bearings if needed.
3. Cut the path.
4. Use Polaris to pull her to the concrete pad where he was going to build his house, jack her up and check the bottom side and make sure nothing is loose.
5. Bring her home, about 30 miles.

Would sure appreciate any advice about what to check and make sure she is road-worthy.

Our home is a warehouse. We built a house inside it and we have plenty of room to work on the Caravel. Don't have a clue about condition. Where should we start?

I read somewhere that it might be a good idea to put heavy tape over the wing windows to secure them to the body to be sure they did not come loose during our initial drive home. I don't know the condition of the rubber. Any thoughts on this?

I will, of course, take a lot of pictures and post them about our adventure!

Aviator · 10-31-2012, 09:15 AM

Bill,

Prior to towing, repack wheel bearing and replace tires. You didn't mention the year of the Caravel, if it is old enough it may have split rim wheels which will have to be replaced.

After you get it home (having the space to work on it indoors is fantastic and makes most of us jealous!). I suggest you start with the running gear and work your way up. There are several threads here about axles and axle replacement if necessary. From there work your way around the trailer and make sure any leaks are fixed (again multiple reference threads on the proper sealants to use). Next is the decision on cleaning/restoration. How much is necessary? You can do anything from checking the electrical and gas systems with a general interior cleaning all the way to a body off restoration/restomod.

If it is in good enough shape to camp in when you get it home, you may want to come out and join us a few times before deciding what you want to do.

Skatiero · 11-02-2012, 06:03 PM

Welcome aboard! The Atlanta area has many airstreamers! You are in a great place! Be sure to check out the Top of GA Airstream Park as Craig suggested. It's our favorite campground. It's near Helen.

Bigventure · 11-02-2012, 08:55 PM

You may want to rent a UHaul car hauler and bring it home on the trailer. Alot can go wrong in 40 miles.

Big C · 11-02-2012, 09:42 PM

Bill, welcome!
Congrats on your new (to you) Airstream.
Love our Vintage. Our work in progress as we travel.

Snedwid · 11-02-2012, 10:02 PM

Best wishes with your new adventure,,, IMHO, the best way to get it home is on a flat bed trailer which can be purchased or rented fairly cheep. It will save you boocoo hours, dollars, and grief in the long run... get it home safely, then go to work in the proper environment.