bit of TLC. Our mission was to clean out years of accumulated junk, tear out
the carpet, install new floors and countertops, and polish it to a high shine -
after taking care of some really awful previous "repairs". See what you think.
You can't see them here, but there was
the slightest ghosting of two Wally
Byam Caravan stickers, front and
back, indicating that this trailer has
been someplace pretty neat. Maybe
Capetown to Cairo? More likely
Mexico or somewhere less exotic, but
there are plenty of '59 Overlanders in
the old photos of Airstream caravans in
Europe. Maybe the Pyramids?
out the neat roof over the back window,
it was made out of a lawn chair and
plywood! Or the nifty rain diverters over
the appliance vents. The patch over
the old water heater access panel is
really special. It is made out of an old
piece of a painted trailer, with the paint
(somewhat) removed.
spots inside the square we marked
on the exterior is an indication of
some severe corrosion under the
surface. It only showed itself after
compounding the surface prior to
polishing. This panel will have to
be changed, as the aluminum is
paper thin in this area.
carefully at any trailer you might
consider buying. Corrosion like
this starts inside the wall, and
works outward. By the time it gets
to the surface, it's over. Time for
some new metal. Water and
aluminum don't mix...
The panel has been replaced, there
is new insulation in the wall, the
Olympic rivets are shaved to match
the original, and it is ready to polish
up to a mirror shine - just like the
rest of the trailer.
Scroll down to see the shine.
wooden window cover?
Fortunately, those are history.
The frame has been restored
and there is glass in it again -
just like Wally B. intended.
complete! Click here to check it out...