Recovery successful!t

Well, we are home. Up and back without a hitch... (well, we had a hitch - A Reese!) We got up to Colin's and he had the SOTR all out front, sitting there out of the snowbank waiting for us. I dropped Zoe' and the boys off at Colin's house first, so that Zoe' could hang out with Suzanne and the boys could see Malcolm - they were excited. I ran over to the shop, dropped Doug Reid's Marvel fridge off, loaded our 1960 Dometic and stove into the truck bed, and then put the new upholstered gaucho on top of them, with thick card board seperating the lot. We then hooked up and man - are those lights bright. Drove over to Colin's, we all had some Greek food (ordered in) and then around 2230 we made it over to our hotel for the night, with the SOTR tucked safely behind the truck in the parking lot. There was so much snow up there, it was hard finding a place to park. Our original plan, was to Caravan with Colin and family as they are headed to the Sarasota, FL State Rally, and we would stop off in Lake George at the outlets - I had to bribe Zoe' to get her to come along after our last trip this way! But, we decided since it was such a late night that we would be sleeping in, and Colin wanted to get on the road at 0800. So, we got on the road this morning around 0930 and once on the Northway, I gave Colin a call to say thanks for taking the time late on a Friday night, and when he answered, I asked, "Where are ya?" I figured he'd be nearing Albany - but he replied that he was just at his exit, filling with fuel. We were one exit south, and so we pulled over, waited and then once I saw him rounding the corner, we pulled out - he passed us and away we went. We got lots of looks - the day was sunny, gorgeous and the roads were dry! We pulled 100 miles with them, and stopped as planned at the outlets. Here are a few pictures. Got home around 1800. First stop was a local car wash to wash the grime away. Oh yeah, a future project I've found locally - a very cool Spartan Manor - single axle. A great day!

All snowed in!

Here are a couple shots of the trailer from Colin and some of the parking lot, and his trailer all ready to go to Sarasota for the Florida State Rally. Looks like I'll be shoveling tomorrow!

International!

A few weeks ago I started using Google's Analytics with advise from Doug (of the Caravanner fame). It is very cool web site analysis software. Thus the title of this post. The Blog is International - having readers in Brisbane, Australia; Taizhou, China; Draguignan, France; Emillieux, France?; Leicester, UK; and then a ton of hits from Canada too! If you've been following theVAP, and this blog, you know I've been searching for some 59/60 International emblems. Well, I've located two, and need one more. Anyone out there have one? So, welcome International readers - I'd love to hear from you. So, the next time you stop in, drop me a comment. Maybe we'll do an International VAP show in the future! How cool would that be!

Poor Hitch - come and get me!

Look, that hitch is begging for the Silverado!

Tires and Wheels - Babymoons too!

Here is a shot of the tires, wheels and hub caps. And some NOS hub caps I've been collecting. The wheels will be pulled, re-finished, and then new tires will be mounted, with these NOS baby moons.... we might be able to use the SOTR as an aluminum tent this summer after all. Once done, and the rest of the trailer is polished, it'll look like it just came out of Jackson Center. It truly will be the Sovereign of the Road!

No SOTR but I do have pictures

I know pictures are what people really want to see, vice having to do all this reading. So, until I make it up there next Friday night, where Colin and I will Caravan back to central NY (me staying here in NY, while Colin continues south for the Florida State Rally), here are some pictures I asked Colin to send. The SOTR sits there waiting for my 2" ball - YES TIM, 2" ball!

Enjoy!

Space Shuttle?

Operation "RECOVER SOTR" has been scrubbed due to weather conditions and slushy roads. After all the work on the frame of the SOTR, the last thing I want to do is cover the frame (the center section of the belly pan is still off) with road salt. I also had a doctors appointment this morning and it went long, so at noon time, I pulled the plug on attempting to recover the SOTR. Now, trying to plan when the next opportunity will be.

No snow! Think dry roads!

Well, I hope the weather on Friday is good. We (my dad and I) are planning on driving up to Colin's Friday morning to get the SOTR. I just bought 4 new 14.5" trailer tires for the SOTR as when it gets down here, I'll have the wheels (2 at a time) taken off, tires dismounted, rims re-finished to new, and then new tires installed. I've been working on sourcing original NOS baby moons off of Ebay and I have 4 old baby moons that I will eventually get chromed (latest quote is $400-$600 dollars) but that will wait some. People are asking me - " Colin has it done? " Well, to the point that I will take it from there. Part of it is funds, the other is I want to do some of the work myself (wiring, insulation, reinstalling inside skin). As I stated in earlier posts, my uncle (and the link to the right) with his Chevy Ave Restoration shop, is working on Airstreams now - The family discount is larger than theVAP discount :)

So, my uncle will hit the trailer with the Zolatone we want, and then Carpet Master is right next door to my parents (Marmoleum flooring) and then the interior / plumbing will be a joint venture with me and my Uncle (that is, when I am home).

So, the SOTR still has a long way to go. Plus, this way (since I do have another avenue, that is alot closer for me logistically) Doug can get his Caravanner going :) So, wish me luck on Friday and hope the roads are dry (the center portion of the belly pan is still not installed as we will do the stainless gray water tank install.) for the pull home. SYDTR!

Colonial Airstream

As you know, a while back in a post I was at work down at Fort Monmouth, NJ and stopped over at Colonial Airstream for a visit. There I met the sales staff and told them about theVAP. Over the past few weeks, I have been sending Lauren, one of the sales staff and who does the Colonial Airstream newsletter, some answers to her questions. She asked if she could do an article about us in it, on our Airstream Obession. I said sure, no problem. Well, when I got home this weekend, in the mail were a few copies of the latest Newsletter. Thanks Lauren! So, here is a scanned copy of the article. So, if you are ever in central NJ, stop by and say hello to the staff at Colonial.

Back home in the snow!

I flew into Syracuse last night at midnight. I had about a foot of snow on the truck and it was really snowing hard out. From one extreme in warm sunny San Diego to cold snowy central NY. Colin's headed to the Florida State Rally on the 17th, so I need to get up there before that. Right now, I'm planning on a trip up there possibly on the 9th. So, hopefully, if mother nature cooperates, we'll b towing next weekend. SYDTR!

Let there be light!

The lights are on, connected and boy are they bright.

From Colin today:

"Here are the latest photos. Your running lights are the brightest I have ever seen on a vintage trailer! All new wiring, new grounds, glass beaded & silver painted light housings & all. The photo with the slightly dimmer rear end is with only the running lights on. The one with the bright taillights on is the running lights & the brake lights. Your brake wiring is also new, along with the "whip". Your Hehr vents & lifters have all been rebuilt, polished & new gaskets added & installed. The radio antenna has also been installed & the "police style" antenna position has been marked on the side as well. It's out of the shop now & waiting for pick up."

Can you say EXCITED. Boy am I. Now, when do I find the day that it'll take for me to run up there and get it. The SOTR is now out in the cold. I have four tires on order from my local tire guy. The SOTR has 14.5" wheels on it, and I'm sticking to the originals right now - ultimately / eventuallly upgrading to the Cragar Smoothies. For now though, we'll take the originals off, blast them, sand them down and repaint down local to me, and for now just hit the original baby moons with some chrome spray paint - quoted from $100 t0 $150 a piece to re-chrome 4 baby moons - that's $400 to $600 for hub caps alone. Have I said, this is not a low cost hobby? - more on that in a near post as I total where I am up to this point - basically a 30' weather tight shell on a strengthed chasis. I'd love to hear what ya all think to this point. Oh yeah, that hole above the new door handle will eventually become a dead bolt for safe of mind down the road towing without having to use a piece of road to ensure the door stays closed.

I'm out here in San Diego this week, so not so sure it'll be this weekend. Next week I am in Quantico, so maybe the next weekend. Stay tuned. SYDTR!

Two links

This first link is a link to a little video that I thought was really neat:

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=87832a145a872a3ae7924af847009a8b.1126238&fr=yvmtf

The second is a link to a Vintage Trailer club that lists different units for each state:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Vintage_Trailers_USA_Network

SYDTR!

Sign of the Week!

I saw this sign on one of my last trips out to California. Thought it was fitting for me, well - my co-workers did. Who wants one?

LEDs for the Overlander

I've picked up a nice set of side marker LEDs for the Overlander. These are Spyder Lights. They are chromed plastic base and clear lenses, but the lights are LED and light up in amber and red. They have the same design in round 4" lights too that mount flush in stainless 4" rings. I've only been able to find these lights at one truck stop in PA - believe you me, I've checked them all in between here and Virginia. So, these lights are going to replace the four side marker lights on our Overlander. Also, the two rear tail lights will be updated too. If I brave the cold today, I'll run out and get the 4" lights and take a picture of what they look like. I've added the Google Analytics code (got the idea from Doug's 56 Caravanner blog) to the blog so I am now able to track where my blog readers are from - yesterday a blog hit from France - Welcome!

The bumper and Belly Pan

Here are a few more glamour shots. Remember, one of the first things Colin's team did was to remove the rear bumper because it was bent in the center in towards the trailer. Look at it now - nice! Also, just a couple of shots of the belly pan installed (about first two feet underneath from banana wrap) buck riveted on.

More on the antenna.

I don't care for the antenna upby the running lights. What do you think - by the front window or by the side window?

PROGRESS!

As stated earlier, the SOTR is back in the shop at Colin's. Belly pan work (making sure it is buck riveted on like original while the inside skin is still off), rear bumper and tail lights mounting (the replacement panel was not cut for the lights), and mounting the running lights. Well, here are a few pictures of the rear end panel. I'll take me a few posts to get them all in here. Enjoy! It is looking sweet (I particularly like the rear shots)!

Dilemma - what would you do?

Remember on the SOTR the double side post / mount antenna I got for the front of the trailer? Remember those marker lights I sourced from Airstream? Well, Colin and I feel that the two do not go together. So what would you do? Options, mount antenna in front of marker, above or below (close or ~3 inches below)? Mount antenna somewhere else ( in front of living room windows, road side). Here are some pictures for your consideration. Decisions, decisions, decision. Let me know.

Nice, relaxing weekend

Well, on my last post I stated that I'd be out here in Arizona. Well, I made it. I spent the week living the "Ants" life running around like there is no tomorrow, working away. On Friday, I checked out of my hotel and that night after work, I drove over to Bisbee to The Shady Dell where I met up with Wes the owner and found my nice little 1949 Airstream trailer for the night. Last night I stayed in their 1952 Homemade 10' trailer from Popular Mechanics plans (that was very nice) and tonight and tomorrow night I am in the Spartan Manor. Plenty of aluminum here for me! Enjoy!

The SOTR is in!

Well, I made the trip out here to Fort Huachuca, AZ but did not get in until 2am AZ time, so I'm beat! Colin sent me some photos. The SOTR is having some belly pan installed so it can be bucked like original as it was from the factory. Here are a couple pictures. Remember, those windows are all living room area... I forget how big the SOTR is, the biggest made in 58 by Airstream. See Ya! Enjoy.

Update - and healthy again

Well, haven't posted in a while. Sorry. Christmas night I came down with something and I was pretty much in bed until New Year's not feeling the best - taking some prescribed anit-biotics and now starting to feel better as of today. I am now down here in Charleston, SC for work and return home tomorrow. Next week, I fly out to Tucson, AZ for some work I need to attend to in Fort Huachuca, AZ - I'll be staying a few days over at the Shady Dell in Bisbee I hope! So, that's something I look forward too, staying at the Dell is always neat!
Today I received some more photos of our bunks for the SOTR that Jeff at Dovetail Designs is working for us. They are coming out sweet! Here they are. I got a message from Colin that the SOTR is heading into the shop again for belly pan work to begin. So, things are moving out again! If you are looking at doing some custom interior woodwork, I highly recommend Jeff. Let me know and I'll get you in touch with him! SYDTR!

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Not alot going on these days Airstreaming wise. I've been on the road more lately than ever. Our truck went down hard for repairs last week, as the Transfer Case bit the bullet... and these things are not cheap - big $$$$$!!! It happened in Somerset, PA as I was heading to Ohio to get a Diesel Mercedes (a bio-diesel project I'm also messing with). So, the truck sat there over the weekend and I recovered it on Monday night and completed the trip. Monday night was an all nighter driving - and it was long.... Quantico, to Somerset, to Columbus, Ohio to home here in Plymouth, NY - 5 states in all! So, I just sent Colin an email to get the rest of the SOTR done enough to move it here to central NY. My uncle, who took one of my 1960 Trade Winds, is getting into the Airstream restoration business. So, he and I will complete the high end job that GSM has started.

My Uncle has been doing Vintage Chevy restoration for quite some time - Chevy Ave Restoration - did all the work on our 1965 Jeep Wagoneer, and now is tearing into the Trade Wind. He just installed a new Axis axle on our 1965 Caravel, and put two new axles on his 1968 Sovereign. And seeing the line at Colin's - he's decided to start into doing some Airstreams too! If you call, tell him I sent you his way!

"AIRSTREAM RESTORATION SHOP" COMING SOON...Frame Repairs; Axle Replacement; Floor Repair/Replacement; Window Repair/Replacement; Interior Updating/Refinishing; Polishing/Painting; Vintage Tow Vehicle Restoration; Towing Service for your Airstream or tow vehicle. Chevy Ave. Restoration. Call for an appointment, 607-334-4253.

His work is high quality too! So, Happy Holidays everyone!

SYDTR!

Operation Recovery - Success!

My Uncle works at NAPA and last week, I left him the hub and bearing numbers and when I got home last Saturday morning, the new bearings and races were all ready for me. I got home around 9am, stopped for an hour to be with my wife and boys, and then went out, hooked onto the 75 Sovereign, drove over to my parents (my dad and mom were going to help in towing the FC for me) and we Caravanned towards Amsterdam. We arrived at the FC around 245pm. We were on the road, wheel all fixed and FC connected to my dad's Chevy, and we were once again headed towards Plattsburgh. We arrived without incident at 545pm. Colin was there with Don and Amanda - the current owners of Vintage Thunder and it was nice to meet them - they were dropping VT off at GSM too.. so Colin had 3 more trailers arrive on Saturday. I got home around 1130pm, and spent a nice Sunday with my family, cleaned out our 1960 Trade Wind (it's sold) and packed, got in the truck at 8pm and headed to Washington DC where I was flying out of Dulles for San Diego again at 6am. I made it - but man was I a tired pup! I've been out here in San Diego all, take the red eye back to DC tonight, where I have USMC Reserves all weekend. Zoe' and the boys are coming down to Virginia this afternoon as I get promoted to LtCol on Saturday. On Sunday, we'll drive home - I have a board meeting on Monday - did I tell you I'm also a Town Councilman too! We'll see you all back in NY.