Window mania, hope you can help

[rlmm]

Hi folks, Rlmm here. Here is a pic of a rear window on a 64 safari. I cant figure out what exactly is missing or incorrect. It's not correct but I can't sort out what or how to make it right. Also, on this same trailer a pervious owner riveted the large side windows shut in the front of trailer on both sides. Im assuming they stopped working, were leaking, or hardware was broken/missing so they riveted them shut. If anyone can tell me what the rear window situation should look like I'd be appreciative. And, what I need to repair or replace it. Any other suggestions on the side front window situation is also appreciated. Sorry the picture is not better or closer, its all I had.

Thanks.

[TouringDan]

Welcome to the forums.

I would start by taking close up photos of both the inside and outside of the problem windows.

Dan

[rlmm]

Thanks Dan, I would but I don't currently own the trailer.

R.

[overlander64]

Greetings rlmm!

Welcome to the Forums and the world of Vintage Airstreams!

Originally Posted by rlmm

Hi folks, Rlmm here. Here is a pic of a rear window on a 64 safari. I cant figure out what exactly is missing or incorrect. It's not correct but I can't sort out what or how to make it right. Also, on this same trailer a pervious owner riveted the large side windows shut in the front of trailer on both sides. Im assuming they stopped working, were leaking, or hardware was broken/missing so they riveted them shut. If anyone can tell me what the rear window situation should look like I'd be appreciative. And, what I need to repair or replace it. Any other suggestions on the side front window situation is also appreciated. Sorry the picture is not better or closer, its all I had.

Thanks.

The window on the curbside would have been a jalousie unit -- possibly two with one on top of the other. This would be the last year that Airstream offered the jalousie windows on their trailers. Owners either loved or hated this feature, and this is one of my favorite features on my Overlander. The down side to the jalousie windows is that leaks can become an issue without fastidious maintenance -- a fact that caused some owners to either replace or eliminate the windows. To return this Safari to its original jalousie curbside window would require finding a unit from a salvage unit -- a task that likely will not be easy.

The streetside window was most likely a pair of stacked Hehr windows similar in design to the coach's other windows. Again, returning the Safari to its original window configuration would require finding an appropriate window from a coach being salvaged. There is also the remote possibility that the streetside front window may have been a jalousie as well -- this was a custom feature that some owners ordered. This window was most often modified by owners who converted the front lounge to a dinette as the lower portion of the window interfered with the dinette seat backs.

You can find photos of 1964 Safaris with various configurations at this link.

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin

[rlmm]

Hi Kevin. Thank you so much for the information you provided. I want to make sure I understand your response correctly. The 1964 safari picture i posted has non original windows in it, correct. Someone replaced them at some point with a larger plain window ? That is currently what is there, and they are riveted shut, not a split or jalousie. I will try to post a picture of the side window that's in there, shortly.

So, all windows in 1964 regardless of model, would have had a split or jalousie style window. Airstream did not make and install a plain one pane larger window in those locations on the trailer. ? The windows that are there are now are similar to the other larger side windows in the trailer or the back and front windows. Assuming the windows were indeed replaced, would this de-value the trailer noticeably because of that issue. That's assuming the rest of the trailer is of course in good order, overall.

The rear window also appears not to be complete or something isn't quite correct. There is no finish moulding or aluminum surrounding the glass on the sides and bottom, only the top. There are three alum clips that hold and secure the glass at the bottom which appear original, but I can't be sure. There is nothing to place rubber seals or rubber molding around the glass ? Hope that makes sense. Thanks in advance for your help.

R.

[overlander64]

Greetings rlmm!

I took a closer look at the photo that you posted, and I am not so certain that the Safari is actually a 1964. That window appears to be a Corning Tempered Glass unit that was only installed from 1966 through 1968. I didn't give it a second thought initially as the Bargman 99 tail lights said 1964 or earlier to me; but I double-checked the photo archives and they were still in use for 1966.

Should this Safari be a 1966-1968, then what I posted earlier about jalousie windows does not apply since 1964 was the last year for that feature. Both front side windows on a 1966 through 1968 Airstream would have been curved Corning Tempered Glass. There was a time, until quite recently in fact, that it was nearly impossible to find replacement glass for these windows. The replacement glass for these windows is now available through several vendors who have presence here on the forums (the operators and frame components, however, may not be as readily available). The curbside window (ahead of the door) was a small single pain operable window above a smaller fixed window if my memory serves. The streetside window was a larger operable window above a smaller fixed window.

A previous owner may have covered those window openings to accommodate a dinette installation, or may have covered them in frustration after trying to replace broken Corning Tempered Glass windows. The photos at this link are of 1966 Safaris.

Even in the 1964 and earlier coaches, the only "standard" location for the jalousie window was next to the door (sometimes a single window while other times two windows were stacked). The other windows were flat glass unless the original owner special ordered the coach with additional jalousies. I have seen one 1964 Sovereign with all windows being jalousies except the front and rear windows.

Good luck with your investigation!

P.S.: The earlier model Corning-era Airstreams had windows that did not have frames -- just a top mounting bracket and a bottom brackets that latched the window to the side of the coach. Later model Corning-era Airstreams had thin metal frames around the window.

P.S.S.: Upon taking a closer look at the photo, the one stop service compartment (rear hatch) is not of the 1964 design causing me to believe that is more likely a different vintage.

[rlmm]

Hey Kevin.

this is becoming quite a mystery. The rear window indeed looks like a 66 safari window based on my views of other 64 year trailers and 66 models. However, the actual trailer is titled 1964 and the cabinets, layout, fixtures, etc, all seem to indicate it is a 64. What makes matters worse and even more confusing is the fact that the side windows in front which you will see below do not match the sizing of a jalousie window that would have been there. I checked and it appeared the jalousie units were approx 19+ x 23+ give or take. I saw one from a 63 that was that size. The windows below in the picture are approx 28 x 33 give or take and flat glass. As you can probably see they do not conform to the trailer properly, etc. Perhaps someone cut the window openings larger on both sides and placed larger flat glass type units in there, don't know. Very confusing to me.
Any other thoughts are appreciated. Not sure what I would do with the front side windows since they are larger and not correct other than leave them in place ?

[reinergirl]

See that plate under the window in the last picture? If you posted a close up we might be able to use our secret decoder rings

Seriously, if you have a picture of it it would help.....

[rlmm]

Yea, I know, I tried that and could not get it to enlarge enough so it was clear reading. ( Although I shouldn't complain, even if it was I personally would need a telescope to read it since my vision prescription is kind of ancient. Much like me.

Thanks for the suggestion though. The decoder ring would likely work better.

R.

[reinergirl]

1964 was the last year for the "door with a door". Therefore, you are probably looking at a highly modified 1964 as its unlikely that someone put one of these doors on a later model. I supposed anything is possible but?

[rlmm]

Kevin, I found this on the link you so kindly sent me. It is a 64 safari with the larger jalousie window. I bet this is what was in the trailer I posted the picture of earlier. Notice the jalousie window is a single larger unit than some of the smaller ones used on some 64's. As you mentioned some were stacked, too. The other street side front window on this trailer pictured here is the same as the curb side window. I suspect the rear window on my posted 64 trailer was replaced with a 66 rear window. Can't be sure though. Things this old tend to take on a life of their own. When I was younger I used to do some vintage boat restoration, etc, and things I found over the years that people did would sink most boats. I was surprised they even floated, yet alone were still here.

R.