Vintage Airstream Chassis Repair (Pt. 1)

This past spring, I’d made real progress (and faced some challenges) working with contractors that were helping me to repair my rusted chassis, replace axles and otherwise price out the scope of work to get my vintage Airstream ready for my cross-country trip. By early summer, weeks were passing by and I was struggling to get them to return phone calls or otherwise give me a date when...

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Vintage Airstream Window Dressings (Pt. 1: Curtain Fabrication & Dry Fit)

Back in January, I was able to source and purchase fabrics for the upholstery & curtains for the Little Green Airstream: Finding someone who specializes in making curtains for vintage Airstreams meant that they would better understand the idiosyncrasies of these trailers’ interior construction, meaning less guesswork and a greater likelihood that they’d turn out right the first time. But conversely, my experience with custom work is that...

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Removing a Vintage Airstream Belly Pan

Probably the most famous element of the Airstream’s construction is the riveted aluminum paneling, originally inspired by aircraft design. Airstream’s motto, “live riveted,”  equates these little fasteners with the trailer brand and the lifestyle of their owners. I’d learned through the Vintage Airstream Podcast and Airstream Life magazine that there are three different types of rivets that are typically used in Airstream construction, the most prominent of which...

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Working with a Professional Airstream Restorer (Pt. 2 – Window Replacement)

One of the most important aspects of managing a renovation project is to regularly & tactfully communicate with all the people who are working with you. This not only helps to ensure that the work happens in a timely fashion, but it keeps all of the parties on the same page about the scope and costs as they (often) change over time, and it puts your project back...

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