A Word To The Wise Is Sufficient
Tim and I finally had time over this past week to go through the envelope he found in The Hot Mess. Here are some more assumptions from what was revealed among the rotting acorns that some poor squirrel is still probably looking for.
The envelope appears to be from a dealer in Michigan on its first purchase. Well before the transformation to The Hot Mess. I’m sure the ‘63 Safari was a looker! All shiny and still sporting that new smell.
Within the envelope was an Airstream brochure showing all the Airstream models from 1963, receipts, information pamphlets, cleaning instructions, the code of ethics, accessory manuals, a document titled ‘A Word To The Wise Is Sufficient’, instructions on how to use the septic tank, price lists and even scribbled notes on the cost of the extra options available. Those options noted are coincidently included on The Hot Mess. Owner Number One really took his time with this big purchase. Mulling it over and comparing notes. Guessing he ordered this coach with the options he felt suited him.
We have confirmed that Mr. Hunter was not the first owner but second. We now know the name of Owner Number One and even know a few things about him. Owner Number One was the WBCCI member and the trailer had even sported caravan stickers. Shadowing of the Caravan stickers are still on both the front and rear exterior above where the red numbers once sat. Owner Number One also kept maintenance records. He even took this coach back to the factory in Ohio from Michigan for repairs. Where Mr. Hunter did not. The best we could tell Owner Number One’s last maintenance receipt was dated November 19th of 1969. We could also assume that the first owner has long since passed.
Mr. Hunter, owner number two, we know placed The Hot Mess on the hunt camp in Florida in 1976. The coach never moved after that. Any repairs needed Mr. Hunter did himself. Those repairs we can say were not done properly to our standards. However they functioned for him. It was the best he could do with what he could purchase locally. We believe Mr. Hunter passed in 2010. Long after his last visit to his hunt camp. Like we said we think he last left it in 1984 with anticipation of returning the next winter.
All the items found in the envelope we will keep. Interestingly we thought we had allowed them to dry out enough but they still need some more dry time. It was an interesting little piece of the time capsule and we could continue to find more. I still have not done the final interior cleaning. Hope to get that accomplished this week, while Tim continues work on the ’48 Liner, and before we take off for the Tin Can Tourists Centennial Celebration. It will be like no other!
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