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Hi all !
Well it happened. Before buying the 60 Overlander I
had been chasing a local 66 Tradewind. The owners are in their mid 70's and have
not used it in 8 years. I kept in touch with them for over a year but
ultimately they said their son was taking it. (but it doesn't end
there)
I purchased a 60 Overlander in October of 2000
from Southern Ohio but did not pick it up until June 2001. I drove from
Calgary to south of Columbus Ohio in 2 days (approx 3000 miles one way)
while my wife Barb and 2 young daughters flew out. We then took 2 weeks for the
return trip which included a visit to the Airstream factory for a tour, a detour
to Niagara Falls, 3 days in Chicago (hotel), a visit to Wisconsin Dells, a stop
at the International Rally in Sioux Falls (caught up with Scot & Lise
Scheuermann who also own a 60 Overlander) , visits to Mt Rushmore and Crazy
Horse monuments and a pass through Montana on the way home to
Calgary.
It was a fabulous trip with only one mishap, a huge
hailstorm near Mt Rushmore that left the curbside of our Overlander rather
dimpled.
We continued to enjoy the Overlander almost every
weekend in July and August and then the phone rang. Remember the 66 Tradewind at
the beginning of this tale? The owners son was being transferred to Europe and
would not be taking their trailer after all. Well before I knew it I had bought
my 2nd Airstream. It is a very clean 66 Tradewind with a double bed layout. It
needs an oven and a furnace and a polish but that appears to be all. (of course
I expect some surprises). All the curved windows are intact, the subfloor is
solid, the original fabric on both Gauchos is in good shape (the foam was
replaced about 10 years ago) the interior woodwork is original. Even all 4
hubcaps and the owners manual are included. I will continue to share with the
list the roller coaster ride of vintage Airstream ownership but it is definitely
a high for us at the moment.
Best Regards
Terry O'Neill
60 Overlander International Double
66 Tradewind Double
WBCCI 4786
VAC
P.S. interesting to note that the 60 Overlander
specs say it weighs 3250 lbs but the 66 Tradewind is 2 ft shorter but weighs
4080lbs. Where is the extra beef hiding?
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