Did I find a '62 from a World Caravan?

[Lumatic]

I just got this 62 Ambassador with a bunkhouse layout and have noticed a couple of things I'm curious about. I has sat for years and if everything is not origiinal at least it is old.

First, along with the other ID plates next to the door there is a plate riveted to the coach stamped 1964 that says "NAN Automobiles Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi.

Second, the bumper is extended with framwork welded on for not one but 2 spares. Could this old girl have been on a Wally Caravan in India in 1964?

I can't find any trace of red numbers as the whole trailer has been painted white but the serial number is 28TSSO306.

Earlier i posted a dozen photos under the new thread I started "My Fugly 62 Ambassador Bunkhouse" (which was also the first forum thread under the 62 Ambassor heading in the knowledgebase. For some reason I don't understand
the thread did not make it past the knowledge base to the "lastest discussiion listing, so I will post a few more photos below.

[Lumatic]

Notice the double level side windows that match up with the bunks. She also has hydraulic brakes with what looks like an actuator

[centennialman]

Nice find! I hope you are able to find out the history of the trailer, especially regarding the caravan. Post some interior pics when you get a chance.

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by centennialman

Nice find! I hope you are able to find out the history of the trailer, especially regarding the caravan. Post some interior pics when you get a chance.

Here ya are pard

[Silverhobby]

Nice find. If you get a chance, post the pic of the selling dealer's logo.

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by Silverhobby

Nice find. If you get a chance, post the pic of the selling dealer's logo.

The only thing I have seen that looks dealer is the plate I mentioned above that says "NAN Automobiles Bombay, Calcutta, India and is stamped with a 1964 date. It is painted over white, as is the whole exterior, and would not photgraph well.

I need to do some experimentation to figure out how to strip the white and leave the stuff underneath intact. Any suggestions?

The good news is no silicone worries. A PO used thick drippy tar instead.

[utee94]

I think you could use the same products that folks are using to strip clearcoat, and take the same precautions (tape over taillights, markers, etc.). RemoveAll is one of the popular choices, but there are many others.

[flyfshr]

That is one unique trailer. Obviously, the tongue was extended and the tanks moved outside the A frame but I wonder what the purpose was. Maybe to have increased access to the rear of the tow vehicle. Another odd set-up is the scare lights, there's one on each end and on on each side. Somebody was really paranoid or was planning on taking the trailer to really dark places.

Brad
FF

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by flyfshr

That is one unique trailer. Obviously, the tongue was extended and the tanks moved outside the A frame but I wonder what the purpose was. Maybe to have increased access to the rear of the tow vehicle. Another odd set-up is the scare lights, there's one on each end and on on each side. Somebody was really paranoid or was planning on taking the trailer to really dark places.

Brad
FF

The only time I saw an extended tongue like this was a guy who mounted a genny. He said it made it track better too. Who ever did this did a real good job or it is factory special order. Could also be for a 3rd or 4th spare tire as the propane lines between the tanks are arched maybe to clear the spares. Did you also notice the 2 exterior mounted tractor batteries on the rear end?

[InsideOut]

It'll be fun to see what unfolds as you go along ~

I would try a mild paint stripper to see if you can remove the white overcoating on the plates...something like Goof-Off or Motsenbocker's Lift-Off. Do you know if it is a latex or automotive-type paint?

Shari

[overlander64]

Greetings Lumatic!

While this is not definitive evidence, I did check my copy of the WBCCI Caravan DVD compiled by the Vintage Airstream Club. A trailer very similar to the one that you have purchased did participate on the Around the World Caravan. This is what I discovered while watching the segments on the 1963-1964 Around The World Caravan:

• India -- Part II Segment
  • A Bunkhouse coach appears early in the segment as well as toward the end.
  • The furnace flue is in the same location.
  • The curbside scare light is in the same location.
  • There is damage on the curbside just below where the segment curves into the roof.
  • There is an air conditioner or swamp cooler on the roof.
  • The tow vehicle appeared to be a white or light color Ford 4x4 pickup (standard cab).
  • The WBCCI number can be clearly seen in two scenes -- that number was #6472
• Europe -- Part V Segment
  • The coach is again seen in two segments
  • A very good side profile can be seen when the coaches are ferried across a body of water on two barges lashed together.
• What couldn't be clearly seen:
  • The rear of the coach was never clearly visible.
  • The front tongue area of the coach was never clearly visible.
  • The street-side was never clearly visible.

While not conclusive, this may provide some clues that may eventually help to answer the question. Fred Coldwell may have more detailed information in the history archives.

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin

[Lumatic]

Would if fit the picture that there is a dealer's plate riveted to the shell from India stamped 1963?
Who can I contact about getting a copy of that DVD?
FYI The current sellers do not know anything about the coaches history other than they bought it in Long Beach CA

[flyfshr]

I, too, would like a working copy of that DVD. I bought one when they first came out oh so many years ago and it never worked properly in any DVD player I've tried it in. I've yet to see much of it.

As for this particular trailer's history and mystery, I can't wait to hear if this pans out to be the one in the DVD and on the caravan.

Brad
FF

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by flyfshr

I, too, would like a working copy of that DVD. I bought one when they first came out oh so many years ago and it never worked properly in any DVD player I've tried it in. I've yet to see much of it.

As for this particular trailer's history and mystery, I can't wait to hear if this pans out to be the one in the DVD and on the caravan.

Brad
FF

Brad,

Did you see the article in a recent Vintage Advantage, where Forrest described a work around for the problem?

Bill

[flyfshr]

Bill ~

I DID see that article and had to go look for it. I use a Mac but will try his technique of copying the DVD contents to the hard drive. We'll see.

In case anyone is interested, the conversion article is in the Spring 2008 issue of the Vintage Advantage, pages 17 through 19. Best of luck.

Brad
FF

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by overlander64

[*]The WBCCI number can be clearly seen in two scenes -- that number was #6472

Kevin

I will carefully strip away the white paint. Maybe I can find residual numbers lurking underneath

[Goin camping]

I see your trailer has the old Ca. Black and Yellow plate. Those color plates were first issued in 1960 and ran into the '70's.

I wonder if anyone knows who had WBCCI #6471 back in '64 and is there a corolation between that number and Long Beach. If so a computer search may find the first owner or surving kin who might recognize the trailer.

P.S. If you register the trailer in New Mexico do not turn in the Ca. plate. You can sell it to someone here with an old trailer and they can have the Ca. DMV reassign it to their vintage unit.

[Lumatic]

Here's the dealer plate with some of the white paint over it removed. From top to bottom it reads:

ANAND AUTOMOBILES
Bombay Calcutta Delhi
Date 19 3 1964

The date is stamped and I assume is March 19, 1964.

[Stefrobrts]

How interesting! Why would it have that plate? If it had gone over with the caravan and come back, it wouldn't have a dealership plate. If it had been sold instead of being shipped back, how did it end up back in the states? What a great mystery!

[azflycaster]

Looking at the picture of the tank area it looks like the modification was to add two additional propane tanks to the trailer. The hold downs used require a tank on each side to sit correctly. This could be an indication that the trailer was used in a caravan such as the Around the World Caravan.

The plate on the trailer with the Indian Auto dealership could mean anything. The book "Thank You Marco Polo by McGregor Smith Jr.-1966" might have some clues, I wish I had a copy.

One possible explanation might be;
The caravan lasted over one year and covered over 30,000 miles. I am sure some members of the caravan dropped out for many different reasons. Possibly this trailer's owners had to drop out in India and return to the states in a hurry for what ever reason. They leave the trailer with the auto business who arranges the shipping back to the United States. To help with the customs out of India they badge the trailer as one of theirs and the rest is history. Or maybe not...