Visit our Popular Forums

InsideOut · 05-13-2002, 10:24 AM

I am looking to start a collection of photos of ORIGINAL FRONT DINETTES from the early to mid 60's. We intend on building one in our '64 GlobeTrotter later this summer and would like to match the dinettes of the era as much as possible.

Although I LOVE our cozy little table & chair set-up ~ it's an original Airstream table ~ I really would like the storage the built-in dinette seats would add.

I understand the front dinette was not a super common option, so there may not be many that have survived intact out there. The space from the door to the front curved wall is 36" and most larger trailers had more than that or in some models the door placement allowed more space up front. We figure we can modify to fit plans as needed from photos received. We would like it to make into a twin-size bed with the table top & seat/back cushions being multi-functional like the gauchos. The method of construction, details and overall look are more important to us than the actual size. It's just the two of us, 99% of the time but we do want to be flexible.

If your early '60's has this option please let me know so we can hook-up.

Thanks!

Shari
'64 GlobeTrotter
"Maxwell"

BobbyW · 05-13-2002, 01:09 PM

Here is a link to one. If your like most of us, you probably have already seen it.

http://www.vintageairstream.com/archives/%2765GT.html

-BobbyW

InsideOut · 05-13-2002, 01:34 PM

Thanks for the link Bobby ~

What I need to find is someone who actually has one and can take more detailed pictures of how it's built & put together. I have scoured the webpages out there and only found a few originals, that being one of them....that's where I got the idea!

Thanks...I guess I should have been more clear on what I am looking for.

Shari

thenewkid64 · 05-20-2002, 06:06 PM

Shari,

Here is a link to a set of dinette cusions for the front dinette of a 66 Globetrotter. This could be a starting point, or maybe the owner has the old dinette stored somewhere?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eb...548371&r=0&t=0

Hope this helps

InsideOut · 05-21-2002, 09:26 AM

Thanks Brett...I'll check it out, actually...Aurora is a neighboring suburb of Denver.

I'll let you know....

Shari

**Andy R** · 05-21-2002, 12:27 PM

http://home.att.net/~globetrotter64/project2.htm

He has white letters that you cannot read. If you drag and highlight the page it will show the text.

InsideOut · 05-21-2002, 12:47 PM

Thanks Andy!

I've looked at Arlen & Shirley's page a bunch of times & never realized there was the description (the white letters).

We actually have traded emails with them several times...both about the fact that our trailers are "practically twins" and thier dinette.

Thanks for keeping an eye out for us....

Shari

**Andy R** · 05-27-2002, 01:23 PM

I bought those cushions off of eBay. I went to look at them prior to bidding and they were very nice! So, in true recycle fasion I will work with them and make them fit nicely into my Bambi.

Thanks for the link thenewkid64!

InsideOut · 05-28-2002, 01:17 AM

Yipee Andy!

I inquired about them as well! I was most interested in the dinette itself...they said it was history. Glad to know the cushions went to a good home!

Shari

64GT · 05-29-2002, 11:05 AM

Shari-

Do you have any idea how the orginal table worked in your GT? We're missing ours and my Hubby wants to built a new one. He seems to think it attached to a guide located under the furance counter top. I thought it was free standing. While we're at it, can I get the dimensions of your table?!

Thanks-
Gillian

Jim Clark · 05-29-2002, 11:19 AM

Which type table ? Mine is mounted on the the door side and folds up. If that is the type you have I can take a few pictures for you. I have a 68 GT

InsideOut · 05-29-2002, 11:29 AM

Gillian ~

I still have the original table that came with our '64 GT. It's freestanding and is actually kinda cool...It can be set-up either Dining Table height or Coffee Table height. Actually, it's shown in the thread-starter post but it has a tablecloth on it.

I have seen some of the "built-in" ones that you husband is talking about, I think it depends on the interior layout options inside your unit. We have a cupboard with our heater cabinet so it wouldn't have the table connected at that point....I know that may sound confusing, but ours is a small heater ~ not a furnace. If you would like to see the layout of our interior to see if it is similar to yours, check out our webpage at:

www.insideout-design.net/maxwell

There is also a picture of it folded-up leaning on the heater (in either the "During", "Gaucho/Dinette" section or the "Before" section, where there is also a floor plan or our trailer). I will have to get back with you on the exact size...I think it's about 28" wide x 36" long, I'll double check the size & re-post later along with some pictures of the table.

Shari
'64 GlobeTrotter
"Maxwell"

64GT · 05-29-2002, 11:39 AM

Oh I've been watching Maxwell's transformation!

He's planning on building a table that will fold-up on top on the furnace cabinet and then open up - I think. He was explaining it to me the other day. There a sort of rail right below the top of the cabinet, above the grill. He thought it must have been to secure the table.

Jim - I've seen the type of table you have. There is no room in the 64 for that type of set up. I have a free standing table, but storage is a pain.

InsideOut · 05-29-2002, 11:52 AM

Gillian ~

We don't have a rail on our heater cabinet...we just lay the table flat, face down on our folded-up "outside carpet" when travelling. It is kinda a storage problem...but we definately want to keep it since it is original. Maybe we can design a storage place for it in the new dinette set-up...Hmmmm. It is nice to have, we can take it outside & use it as a coffee table with our "Cadillac beach chairs" in the coffee table height.

Shari

InsideOut · 05-29-2002, 11:54 AM

The fold-up table on top of the furnace sounds like an interesting idea...would you still be able to use that countertop?

If you decide to do that, please share photos ~

Shari

InsideOut · 05-29-2002, 09:58 PM

Okay...here's the scoop. The table top measures 20"x36" and has the same plastic laminate as the counters & fridge. As mentioned in my earlier post, it's height is adjustable. The coffee table height is 19-1/2" and the dining table height is 28".

We did paint the underside of the table to match the top...the original paint was dry & flaking. We also replaced the damaged vinyl trim edging with stainless steel T-molding. Other than that, it's original.

Shari

I'll attach Dining Table photo here...and the Coffee Table & Folded-Up Photo in following posts.

InsideOut · 05-29-2002, 09:59 PM

Coffee Table Height...the base is offset to one side, but that doesn't matter because you don't need to slide chairs underneath.

InsideOut · 05-29-2002, 10:00 PM

Underside of folded-up table...note the hinged legs. That's what allows the height to be adjustable.

64GT · 05-30-2002, 07:18 AM

Oh that's wonderful! Does it fit in the wardrobe next to the stove? I wonder where the original storage location was? You know Wally had to have had one. With our plan, yes the top of the cabinet (or now table) would still be usable. Right now it seems to collect everybody's books!

InsideOut · 05-30-2002, 02:00 PM

Hmmm...Now there's an idea! I have thought it strange that there wasn't a better storage solution for the table while under tow.

I haven't checked out the closet vs. table size, I'll do that tonight and post the result. It seems that the tabletop portion would fit fine, however with the exposed wheelwell in that closet, the angled portion of table base may not be able to sit flat on the floor. That closet also has exposed PVC drain lines connecting the galley to the back of the trailer along the floor. The last thing I would want is for it to bounce around and damage one of those in transit! Maybe I could design some type of bracket to hold it up off the floor or use the bathroom closet. Although, when the table is folded up it is taller than the 36" long top, so I may not have enough room to work with...we'll see!

Thanks for the ideas though...

Shari