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BURNZEE · 11-01-2004, 10:59 AM

I'm restoring a 66 Safari and have a question. Under both of the front side windows are thin aluminum "tracks". They don't appear to be original as it looks like the snaps for the curtains have been relocated to below them. I would like to remove if not original. Anyone know what they would have been used for?

Thanks. I love this forum. Has already helped me enormously.

Ken J · 11-01-2004, 12:17 PM

Those tracks are original - can't tell how many snaps you have, but if they are at the ends of the tracks, they are to keep the curtains in place - so you would use both the tracks and snaps

Ken

BURNZEE · 11-01-2004, 12:29 PM

Thanks Ken. The buttons are below the tracks as shown in the second photo. There is a hole behind the track that is in the same location as the snaps on the other windows. Also, the tracks are wider than the curtain track at the top so I don't understand how they would work.

InsideOut · 11-01-2004, 12:55 PM

I don't think they are original. I looked at other '66s in the Vintage Photo Archives and didn't see anything like them. Given, that's just a small sampling...

Any '66 owners out there?

Shari

Ken J · 11-01-2004, 01:07 PM

Those tracks are very similar to what I have in my 75 - that rear track makes the curtain go all the way across the wall over the bed. Perhaps they are original to that year, but they appear to be Airstream issue. Maybe someone upgraded in the 70's ?

Ken

silverleeper · 11-01-2004, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BURNZEE

I'm restoring a 66 Safari and have a question. Under both of the front side windows are thin aluminum "tracks". They don't appear to be original as it looks like the snaps for the curtains have been relocated to below them. I would like to remove if not original. Anyone know what they would have been used for?

Thanks. I love this forum. Has already helped me enormously.

Hi, I dont have the tracks on my 67 Safari. Hopes this helps. Lee

TomW · 11-01-2004, 01:15 PM

I've looked at your pictures several times, and I do not think the lower pieces of aluminum are original. I am under the impression that the '66-'69 model years had many similarities, and my '67 Overlander does not have a lower rail. Elastic strings hold the lower portion of the curtains.

Look at the size of the rivets holding the rail in place - There are no rivets that big on the inside of my Airstream.

If your upper curtain rail looks mine (in the picture below), I would say there is a strong possibility that your original curtains were supported at the bottom like mine are. You might want to contact Jim Ambruse (sp?) Inc. His only business is Airstream curtains.

Tom

Ken J · 11-01-2004, 01:15 PM

Welp - sounds like I am wrong - they do look just like the one's in my 75 though.

Ken

InsideOut · 11-01-2004, 01:34 PM

I could see where they might be original if you have a front gaucho & side attached tables like in this '66 TradeWind. It could be a bracket to support the wood ledge or the table...

But, that wouldn't explain the snaps below it for the curtains...and your strip looks higher than this ledge would be. Also, it doesn't look like it's on both sides in the archive photos like in your trailer...

Shari

BURNZEE · 11-01-2004, 02:23 PM

Thanks for all the replies.
Tom, I just checked and the rivits appear to be the same size. One thing that's hard to see from the pictures is that they are straight pieces and have popped the rivits loose where they have to bend with the curve of the wall.
Shari, I also have the same tracl over the table on the other side by the door. (photo attached). My guess now is that they are not original and were added later. I'll most likely take them out and attach the curtain bottoms with the snaps/elastic/plastic rings. I'd really like to know that they were used for?? Curiosity is killing me. I've also posted a fuzzy photo of a small clamp that can adjust along the track. Thanks again for the info.