‘56 Sovereign of the Road

[DScud]

Hello all!

I wanted to post on this page to join Sovereign family...

1956 Sovereign of the Road
SN:5135
WBCCI:5001

I’m active duty military, located in Nashville, TN. Just brought this thing home about a week ago. The shell is in great condition, but the subfloor is in bad shape. I just finished gutting it a couple of days ago, taking my time and saving as much as I could.

[dznf0g]

That's a very nice one! Congrats.

[rideair]

Though Rob Baker is no longer active here on the forums (that I know of) here a link to his 1958 SOR. I've seen the trailer in person, one of the best out there.

http://sweetsovereign.blogspot.com/

Enjoy,

[DScud]

Thanks guys...

Rideair, that is definitely a nice trailer. I ran across his blog when I was researching this one.

Here is a quick update, because I know we all love seeing these things in progress. Quick picture after gutting the interior, and yes I’m familiar with the 9x9 tiles. This is as far as I’m taking the interior for now, leaving the subfloor and interior skin intact for transport purposes.

I’m currently quarantined, so why not spend some time polishing. I got a quick first cut on the front end today, which took about 4 hours. Huge difference, but still has quite a bit of pitting. I’m using a Dewalt buffer/polisher (DWP849X) and Nuvite IIF7, following up with mineral spirits. Is it just me, or do these trailers get longer as you’re polishing...

[DScud]

Polishing day 2, approximately 4 more hours...

[dbj216]

Greetings and welcome from Colorado: Your 56 Sovereign is sure a neat antique Airstream. The length will allow considerable modifications (if that is your intent) to make it a very comfortable travel trailer for longer trips. I think 56 was the last of the 13 panel end caps and the "sloped rear end" body style. I like the way the entry door is toward the center of the trailer. The body looks in pretty good shape. Airstreams last a long time.

You are using the right polishing technique for your trailer as it was likely built with aircraft aluminum called Alclad. It takes a long time to polish, but even longer to renovate. You have a long journey ahead of you.

David

[DScud]

Day 3 polishing, this one was about 4.5 hours. I’m probably around halfway finished in just over 12 hours and I don’t plan on posting any more polishing pictures after this. I feel like I have a pretty decent technique for this first cut, but I’m sure I’ll continue to adapt.

I’ve been putting small dabs of compound every few inches and spreading it out using low RPMs on the buffer, then increasing speed as I continue to buff. I haven’t used many towels like most people say, probably because I’ve found that the blue shop towels work quite well. I bought a couple rolls at the local auto store and have used less than a quarter of one roll. I use the blue shop towels to clean up with mineral spirits, then follow up with cotton towels to buff clean. I think I’m on my fourth cotton towel up to this point. I can see swirl marks from the buffer still, so I may change my technique on the final polish which will be further down the road.

I think I like the picture from the rear the best where you can see the contrast between the oxidation and the two polished panels.

[Bubba L]

DScud, looks like you have a fun project. The exterior skin must have been in pretty good shape to cut the crud to a shine in that amount of time (that sounds like a song). You’ll get swirls with F7 with the Dewalt. If, or when, you finalize your polishing with a Cyclo and Nuvite C and S, most of the swirls will disappear. Keep us posted on your progress. Take care and be safe.

[DScud]

Thanks Bubba, good to know!

[DScud]

March 7th... dropping the trailer off at Creston RV is Crossville,TN. Having everything Airstream checked out, planning on new subfloor for sure, frame repair, new axles, etc.

Let the buildup begin...

[Bubba L]

Take plenty of beforehand pictures for reference later. In the rebuild, ask the questions like I did and you’ll get plenty of answers. By the way, there’s an Airstream tailgating you. Good luck

[66Overlander]

Hi DScud,
You have an Ohio built Sovereign based upon visible design cues, so the serial number must be "O5135", not just "5135". O5135 is actually a 1957 30' Sovereign, not a 1956 model. It was actually built the week of 11-28-1956, so it was built in late 1956 and may have been titled that way if sold and registered before the end of 1956.


For comparison, had the serial number been just "5135" it would have been a 1955 or 1956 California built 30' Sovereign. I can't be more precise because we don't know the exact model year breakpoints for the California plant and 5135 falls near where I estimate the breakpoint occurred.

[amoureesong]

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

Hi DScud,
You have an Ohio built Sovereign based upon visible design cues, so the serial number must be "O5135", not just "5135". O5135 is actually a 1957 30' Sovereign, not a 1956 model. It was actually built the week of 11-28-1956, so it was built in late 1956 and may have been titled that way if sold and registered before the end of 1956.


For comparison, had the serial number been just "5135" it would have been a 1955 or 1956 California built 30' Sovereign. I can't be more precise because we don't know the exact model year breakpoints for the California plant and 5135 falls near where I estimate the breakpoint occurred.

Found your post and made an account just to ask you about my vintage SOVEREIGN off the road with 5206 - can you tell me more about mine just by that?

[Bubba L]

Originally Posted by amoureesong

Found your post and made an account just to ask you about my vintage SOVEREIGN off the road with 5206 - can you tell me more about mine just by that?

Joe knows the answers. You can take a look on Vintage Airstream Photo Archives and see the vintage trailers. Looks like yours may be an early 1958. Is it 0-5206? Joe, when time allows, let us know what you think. Thanks, Bubba

[amoureesong]

Originally Posted by Bubba L

Joe knows the answers. You can take a look on Vintage Airstream Photo Archives and see the vintage trailers. Looks like yours may be an early 1958. Is it 0-5206? Joe, when time allows, let us know what you think. Thanks, Bubba

There is no O. I'm new to this fourm & I'm having trouble uploading pictures. But the plate by the door says California and only "5206" we can't seem to find a Vin # anywhere on the tongue and this airstream has been completely gutted.

[amoureesong]

Originally Posted by Bubba L

Joe knows the answers. You can take a look on Vintage Airstream Photo Archives and see the vintage trailers. Looks like yours may be an early 1958. Is it 0-5206? Joe, when time allows, let us know what you think. Thanks, Bubba

I'm also assuming it's a Off the road as well.

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by amoureesong

Found your post and made an account just to ask you about my vintage SOVEREIGN off the road with 5206 - can you tell me more about mine just by that?

Airstream production records do not exist for the California factory prior to December 1957, part way into the 1958 model year. The first 30' Sovereign listed is SN 5229. SN 5206 is likely a very early 1958 model year model or a very late 1957. I estimate the model year breakpoint to likely have occurred after SN 5202 that still had a Hehr Standard front window. If your 5206 has a Hehr Clearview front window that would make it a 1958. If it also has a Hehr Standard front window it might be a late 1957, though I cannot rule out early 1958 as the window change may not have occurred exactly at the model year changeover. The 1957 model year for California 30 footers began by SN 5164, the earliest with 7-panel endcaps that I have so far found.

[amoureesong]

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

Airstream production records do not exist for the California factory prior to December 1957, part way into the 1958 model year. The first 30' Sovereign listed is SN 5229. SN 5206 is likely a very early 1958 model year model or a very late 1957. I estimate the model year breakpoint to likely have occurred after SN 5202 that still had a Hehr Standard front window. If your 5206 has a Hehr Clearview front window that would make it a 1958. If it also has a Hehr Standard front window it might be a late 1957, though I cannot rule out early 1958 as the window change may not have occurred exactly at the model year changeover. The 1957 model year for California 30 footers began by SN 5164, the earliest with 7-panel endcaps that I have so far found.

im having trouble understanding how to attach or upload pictures to reply back so yall will have a better idea

[STREMN]

Originally Posted by amoureesong

im having trouble understanding how to attach or upload pictures to reply back so yall will have a better idea

Hi - Check post #7 in this thread for guidance on photo posting: https://www.airforums.com/forums/f13...ics-44928.html

Tom - S/OS #025

[amoureesong]

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

Airstream production records do not exist for the California factory prior to December 1957, part way into the 1958 model year. The first 30' Sovereign listed is SN 5229. SN 5206 is likely a very early 1958 model year model or a very late 1957. I estimate the model year breakpoint to likely have occurred after SN 5202 that still had a Hehr Standard front window. If your 5206 has a Hehr Clearview front window that would make it a 1958. If it also has a Hehr Standard front window it might be a late 1957, though I cannot rule out early 1958 as the window change may not have occurred exactly at the model year changeover. The 1957 model year for California 30 footers began by SN 5164, the earliest with 7-panel endcaps that I have so far found.