Reply to: RE: [VAC] Airstream Roadshow
Tryke, you didn't have to tell us it was all original - couldn't you have lied and
said someone had butchered it in the past? (guilt, guilt)
I gave up along time ago trying to save the world, but I still try now & then.
I'm not a museum piece purist, these trailers were meant to go camping/traveling in.
Take our Caravel's refrigerator for example. The old Dometic M16 was cool - had a
blue/white enameled steel interior and aluminum frame door. The prior owner had messed
it up to the point it didn't work, and then converted it to an ice box. As much as
I'd have liked to, I couldn't save it. Instead in went a new Dometic in such a way
using proper materials it looked like it belonged there from the beginning. I kept all
the removed parts for the next M16 I restore that is missing parts. You can see it on
the website.
I like the end result of the concept (hot rod) Airstreams that have been showing up as
of late (I like to delude myself that they were hopeless basket cases to begin with).
I think the key is that what they started, they finished - and in a quality manner.
Let me tell you two stories of what I'm talking about.
About a year ago, a Listee was giving everyone a running progress of how he was
gutting his BambiII in preparation for a grand & glorious "overhaul", and created a
website showing the carnage.., er... process. All the poor Bambi's guts were piled up
in the desert sun. Along this went for awhile, with him outlining the new interior he
planned to do. About 6 months ago, that Bambi showed up in the VAC classifieds for
sale, and an update on his webpage said that he didn't have the time or resources to
complete the project. Lesson: it is easy to take something apart, but 20 times harder
to build something.
Story Two. (still with me?)
At a recent rally, this nice older lady was showing us the 1955 Bubble they had owned
since new. Nice original condition outside, she proudly started showing us the
interior and all the improvements and things they had done to it over the years. If
you can, imagine the horror on our faces as we tried to politely nod and smile as she
described how her husband had removed and threw away the rear dinette (a very rare
Bubble layout) to add an extra bed, and how they had modified the galley for a
microwave, toaster oven, storage & a new stove. She sweetly told us how she had
painted, by herself, a white latex over that "terrible speckled paint" on the inner
skin surface. Her husband had added/modified cabinets throughout, all using varnished
fir plywood. Did they, as owners, have the right to do it? Sure, no doubt. Did that
Bubble irreversibly suffer and loose value as a result? Sure, no doubt again.
Moral: (every story has to have a moral)
Take the temporary stewardship of your Airstream seriously, and think through mods
carefully from beginning to end. Plan how you will complete the project before you rip
and tear. Make sure you have the skill, materials and resources to finish what you
start. Use appropriate materials and workmanship, and lastly, salvage any removals (a
source of $$$).
I apologize if any of these sounds a little fanatical, but I hope I can be the little
voice of reason that sits in the back of everyone's head as they contemplate, "What if
I.....?"
Later,
RJ
VintageAirstream.com
Tryke wrote:
>In a message dated 11/27/00 9:03:31 PM Eastern Standard Time, >[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>writes:
>
><< There is a finite supply of older Airstreams, and the production history
> list being prepared for the VAC archives show it is a very very limited
> supply of the '40's & '50's models. Once they are lost or modified,
> they are gone forever. Sometimes it is hard, but we have to remember we
> are temporary caretakers of the trailers, that someone after we are dust
> will either curse or praise us, the current "owners". >>
>
>> >Trike #5384
>'53 frame off hotrod Cruiser
>Making appiontment to see shrink as soon as I send this
>THANKS RJ , I HATE YOU....SOB,SOB,WAHHHhhhh....................{{{>:oD>
>
>
>
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