Refurbishing Plans

Chapter 2

The restoration / refurbishing plans.

The original floor plan will be maintained during the restoration/refurbishing process.  Updating the appliances will be a priority.

Restoration plans evolve.

To maintain the "vintage look," I plan to remove the air conditioner from the roof and the after-market awning.  Also, the spare tire and carrier will definately need to be removed from the rear bumper to save weight.

As the dismantle process evolved the decision was made to do a "Full Monte" (complete restoration/refurbish) on the trailer. This will require a complete dis-assembly of the trailer.  The shell will need be lifted off the frame.  The frame will need to be taken out to a local welding shop for repair. The frame will then be painted.  The interior will be improved with new wood floor, insulation, paint, all new furniture and electrical service and plumbing.

When it is all put back together we will have essentially a new trailer. Camping will be fun!

See More arrived home.

Removal of the carpet and original flooring!  Looks nice but "not so good."

Big bathroom space.

Front couch / bed.

Overall, the trailer was in tact with the original furniture and appliances.  

The trailer was very dirty and furniture was weak with some broken pieces. Everything needs to be removed, cleaned and/or rebuilt. All the appliances will need to be updated.

Kitchen galley.

Every item inside the trailer had to be removed.  All the large aluminum panels were removed from the walls and ceiling.  Some were rolled up smaller and tied to facilitate their exit through the front window.

This technique was used at the Airstream factory when the trailer was built. 

For simplification, everything went through the front door or windows.

All the interior walls were removed exposing the nasty mice infected insulation.
As the ceiling panels were brought out through the front window we were carefull so as not to bend or dent the aluminum.

The inside was finally all cleaned out.  Dis-assembly did not take much time.  I took many pictures to document the progress.  I am sure that refering back to them during the rebuilding process will be necessaery.

The frame finally appeared and the old insulation and nasty stuff from the belly pan was removed. After 54 years the frame was not all badly rotted out and didn't look too bad.  However, the frame will need some work. The rear cross-member will have to be replaced. The spare tire carrier on the back will have to removed.  The carrier looks cool but it adds unnecessary weight at the rear.  These frames were built with very light weight materials but are sturdy.  Some new metal will have to be added to provide stiffness for the installation of new axles.

In my opinion,  after inspecting the bare frame it appeared to be weak for this sized of trailer (28 feet). 

It was indeed manufactured with light weight materials to be sturdy and to save weight. 

 

A decision will now need to be made on how to strengthen the frame.

1959 Airstream Ambassador International

This is the story about  1959 Airstream Ambassador International travel trailer.

 Named "SeeMore."

"See More, Do More, Live More."
  
Philosophy of Airstream founder "Wally Byam."

This Blog is meant to chronicle the purchase and refurbishing of a "Vintage" 1959 Airstream travel trailer.

The 28 foot Airstream Ambassador International is just what my wife and I wanted.  We had caught the "vintage trailer bug" and wanted to find one to call our own. 

The goal was to use it to go camping with our friends and to just have fun !

Chapter 1

The purchase.

The search was long and arduous for just the right trailer.  We finally found the desired year and model near Charlottesville, Virginia, some 250 miles away.  We made three trips to inspect and ponder the purchase and future restoration.  We finally decided to make the purchase.

The trailer had spent time in Florida, Wisconsin and Virginia duiring it's previous life. The current owner stated that it had been in his family since new. Now here it sat unattended.  We would become the fourth owner.   He stated that he hated to part with it but he wanted someone to have it and use it as was intended.  We made the purchase!

We named him "SeeMore."

Now the real fun begins!  The trip home.

I purchased four new tires and had them mounted at a local shop.

Preparing for the road trip - I mounted the wheels back on with new tires. I need to secure the door from accidently opening during transport. 

I used a rope to securely fasten the door closed and duct tape to make sure the baggage doors and windows stayed closed on the trip home.   I installed portable trailer lights on the rear bumper.

Auxiliary lights were used on the rear bumper for transport because the old trailer plug-light hook up could not be trusted for the long highway trip home.

Here we are all secure and ready to go!

On the way home my wife and I elected to stayed overnight at a campground near Staunton, Virginia.  We brought along an electric heater and bottled water.  Dinner was had a local restaurant.

The campground was very nice but the weather was very chilly.

  

Even though it was 54 years old the trailer towed "like a dream."

As a precaution we brought along many blankets and pillows.  

Caution was exercised as we ignored the obvious signs of a mice motel.

The trailer was appointed nicely but we believe that it needs to be totally refurbished.
We were very happy!  The trailer is just what we wanted.