FRAME NEARLY COMPLETE ...

So, so long in the waiting ... the frame is almost done! 



Since the beginning we’ve had conversations of do we build the frame? Meaning buy a welder. Learn good welding skills and hope the welds hold. Or just throw money at it, save some time and have a professional do the job? 



Thanks to our trip to Texas where we not only got the range and ice box, we also got frame plans used for another ‘48 Liner. THANK YOU TEXAS! Then once we found a welder, who is also an engineer - that we had confidence in, we gave him the go ahead and a set of frame plans. Tim modified the plans slightly to fit our rig. Our welder was excited to take on the project. He has been working in his spare time on building the frame over the past month in his shop. After seeing what he has done so far we know we made the right decision and anyway we by no means had all the proper tools and space like he has in his shop to accomplish what he has. 



Tim and I have been going out for visits to see the progress. Just this past Tuesday it had none of the outriggers attached. Today it is looking a little more complete. 



Tomorrow we take a short trip to Cedar Key in the ‘04 Airstream. By our return the axle should be attached and ready to tow home! Then the rest of the build should be all on us. 

I’m sure some are saying ‘over kill’ on the frame build. Yes. We agree. In order to accommodate fresh and gray tanks we needed the frame depth. In order to keep the look of the original deep belly pan ... we needed this frame depth. Tim will respond to any technical questions anyone may have about our new frame. 

Guess this will be the last outing in our other A/S for awhile. Once we return it will be full speed ahead on the ‘48!

Special Delivery

After a few emails, phone calls and many measurements the new axle was ordered and has arrived. Since we ‘know a guy’ he made the process of getting a new axle for the 1948 Airstream a breeze. And yes they still make them! It was a custom order. Dexter will build anything you need to your specifications. 

For those of you who know about our silly game ‘I know a guy’... CHEERS! It’s quite interesting how many times people will say ‘I know a guy’ in one conversation. It’s really turned into a fun conversational piece and a great drinking game. 

Stay tuned we should have even more exciting news coming very soon about the ‘48. This next big step will be a huge hurdle in making the rest of this restoration come to life! 

Floor Tiles and Interior Lower Panels Removal

The interior lower panels have been removed from inside the 1948 Airstream along with the floor tiles. Also the storage under the rear window has been taken out and stored for restoration later. In doing so we  discovered what we thought to be possible ... a previous owner had replaced the floor decking and did not run the replacement plywood under the c-channel. We’ve made our first floor template prior to removal of the shell. 

TCT 99th Winter Convention

Last weekend Tim and I attended the 99th TCT Winter Convention out in Dade City/Brooksville, Florida. 

Every year when we attend this event we have the best time. This year was no exception to that. We met some really great new friends and of course saw many old friends. We had a little compound of about eight Airstreams in one little group. Among those in our group we had musicians, accountants, retired government workers and even a professional Airstream restorer. 

While Tim was talking to another attendee at the rally they realized that the guy had window parts left from his 1947 Westcraft that may work on our 1948 Airstream. Bonus! We will meet up with them later in the year to retrieve them. And I was interviewed again on the VAP. 

http://www.thevap.com/?q=node/324

This is an audio only link. 

Normally we average about 100 units at the Convention. There were approximately 155 units attending the rally this year. A record to date! Next year they expect over 200 rigs for the 100th Celebration. 

Tim and I are ecstatic about the 100th TCT Winter Convention next year. Ideally we would love to have the 1948 Airstream Liner completed. However if not we should be able to at least have an aluminum tent in attendance. Lots of hard work lies ahead. Good times!!!