VAL Digest V1 #301

VAL Digest           Wednesday, July 7 2004           Volume 01 : Number 301




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Topics in Today's Digest:

RE: [VAL] Rally Open House for Vintage Trailers
[VAL] "Best" trailers
RE: [VAL] New to list
RE: [VAL] New to list
Re: [VAL] Fwd: Lansing Rally - 2004 
[VAL] Alumaclear

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Date: Tue, 06 Jul 2004 01:03:29 -0500
From: Kevin D Allen <overlander64@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: RE: [VAL] Rally Open House for Vintage Trailers

Greetings Wally!

There is nearly always some compromise when it comes to scheduling
activities during the International Rally.  July 4th has been the
culmination of each of the Internationals that I have attended
(1998-2002 and 2004).  Opening ceremonies are typically held on or about
June 27th.  

This year, it would have been very trying for members displaying their
coaches to be prepared for an Open House the first weekend.  As with
many International Rallys, it took some time to get utilities and setup
complete - - the Vintage parking section didn't have electricity until
Monday morning, and with the delayed arrival of the VAC parade onto the
Rally Grounds on Saturday afternoon (a freight train chose an
inopportune time to block a crossing on the parade route for more than
an hour) many members were still trying to get sorted out when I arrived
at the site at about 6:30 p.m.  

The balancing act is one of permitting members who are participating in
the Open House and Concours d'Elegance sufficient time to get setup,
"recover" from the trip to the Rally, clean and prep the coach - -
balanced with trying to find the best date possible from those that are
available.  An issue with the first weekend (June 26-27) was that the
International hadn't officially begun - - the first day (denoted by
opening ceremonies) was Monday, June 28 - - activities held before the
official beginning of the Rally often are sparsely attended.  Another
issue that often arises is that the number of coaches in the Vintage
area peaks within 72-hours of the VAC parade's arrival.  By Sunday, July
4th, there were only around a dozen coaches remaining in the VAC parking
area.

Most of us in the VAC parking area had visitors periodically throughout
the Rally - - both WBCCI members curious about our coaches as well as
members of the greater Lansing community.  I enjoyed visiting with
several about my Minuet, and offered less formal tours (no literature
displays, videos, or PowerPoint presentations). 

While a mid-week Open House and Concours d'Elegance may not have been
ideal, the event seemed to be at least as well attended as any in which
I have participated.  The weather was absolutely fabulous, and I had at
least 70 visitors tour my Minuet.  Having been parked in the last row, I
had a number of visitors throughout Wednesday afternoon as there were so
many coaches in the Open House that visitors were having trouble getting
through all of the coaches that they wanted to tour.

Kevin

Kevin D. Allen
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban
1978 Argosy Minuet
1975 Cadillac Convertible (towcar in-training)
WBCCI/VAC #6359
 

- -----Original Message-----
From: valist-admin@xxxxxxxxxx.com
[mailto:valist-admin@xxxxxxxxxx.com] On Behalf Of Wally
Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2004 4:47 PM
To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: Re: [VAL] Rally Open House for Vintage Trailers

Why is the open house on a Wednesday?  Aren't we part of a club (WBCCI)
that
is seeing declining interest in membership?  Isn't the VAC a great way
to
spawn interest in younger potential members?  Why wouldn't the open
house be
held on a weekend when more potential new Airstream devotees could
attend?
I recall the open house being a public event; a time to welcome people
from
the area to see what vintage Airstreaming is all about.  I met a
wonderful
family at last year's open house that happened to live near the
exposition
grounds in VT.  They were very intrigued and interested in owning a
vintage
Airstream.   That was exciting to me.

Thanks,
Wally
'66 Caravel, Percy
WBCCI #23618 / VAC
New Hampshire

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Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2004 06:05:05 GMT
From: "bsshrink@xxxxxxxxxx.com" <bsshrink@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] "Best" trailers

Very personal this fixation.  As one of the few licensed psychologists trained 
to treat alumania (I, too, am a survivor), I would describe the issue as "cathexis".  
This refers to the bonding phenomena between an organism (you) and an "object" 
(person/place/thing).  The attributes one extolls to justify your  prediliction are 
so many pounds of road apples.  Bottom line is IMPRINTING.  Look in the garage of an 
old car junkie, ask his (yes, his) birthdate & do the math.  That era car was 
affordable as he (yes, he) became "of age".  'twas not the drive train so much as 
the back seat that caused the imprinting.  Yes, there are exceptions.  My heap is 3 
years older than I am.  IMPRINTING on an Airstream has to do with the first sighting, 
the first awareness or the first experience with the Silver Satan.  I would claim my 
love of the 1969 model is about the triptych front window and real wood (not tambour) 
doors or Vista Veil windows.  It's certainly not the avocado color scheme.  But I 
suspect it's because I was 16 in 1969 and saw the Airstream as the ultimate escape, 
On The Road Kerouac freedom symbol.  Love, youth, freedom.  Now it's p-tex, butt sag 
and polish.
Dr Jeff Miller
69 Overromanced International (tha Avocado Money Pit)
03 Swervarado
50 Jeepster

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Date: Tue, 06 Jul 2004 01:54:42 -0500
From: Kevin D Allen <overlander64@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: RE: [VAL] New to list

Greetings Erich!

Welcome to the list and the world of Vintage Airstreaming!

Your coach is of an era where you can purchase both Owners' Manuals and
Service Manuals.  There are essentially two sources for either - - E-Bay
and classified advertisements, or through Helen Davis at Secretarial
Services (photo copies of the originals)  The following was quoted from
the VAC website:

Manuals

Q: I need an owners and service manual for my Airstream. Where can I get
one?
A: The first owners manuals were published in 1964. Prior to that, the
owner received a brown envelope containing parts lists and other helpful
information on the accessories in his trailer. The VAC has started
making these available in the Members Archive section. A service manual
with instructions for performing service operations did not exist until
1972. 
You can get photocopies of owners manual (1964+) and service manuals
(1972-1986) from: 

Helen Davis Secretarial Services
PO Box 484 Sidney, OH 45365 
(937)492-8885 

Prices are about $33 and $70 respectively. After 1986 the Owners Manuals
included available service information

Good luck with your coach!

Kevin

Kevin D. Allen
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban
1978 Argosy Minuet
1975 Cadillac Convertible (towcar in-training)
WBCCI/VAC #6359
 

- -----Original Message-----
From: valist-admin@xxxxxxxxxx.com
[mailto:valist-admin@xxxxxxxxxx.com] On Behalf Of Erich Fritz
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 9:30 AM
To: Airstream List Tom Patterson
Subject: [VAL] New to list

Hello, this looks like a great list!  I am about to buy my first
Airstream ('74) this weekend and am very excited.  It is in
pretty good shape, but needs some work (of all sorts).  I am
looking for a good book, specific to Airstreams, that covers
everything from exterior and frame to flooring wiring and
plumbing.  Right now I don't know what I don't know.  Any ideas?
 Thanks.


=====
- - Erich Fritz

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Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2004 07:31:01 -0700
From: "Judy White" <djmurtha@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: RE: [VAL] New to list

Erich:

The best money spent on our 1972 Silver Twinkie (after the initial outlay of
course) was the 70 or so on the service and owner's manuals.  Those two
books have provided hours of enjoyment NOT being frustrated trying to figure
out how/where/whichway and behind that in the constant tinkering and repair
process!  The owner's manual gives some procedures and packing suggestions,
while the service manual includes schematic drawings, exploded views and
procedures for installing, removing and repairing, ball to bumper.  It is
also a rather fascinating page turner for the period technology (read:
Thermasan & Gopher Holes).   Both are well worth the outlay...We've been
able to spend much more time enjoying Silver and less time trying to figure
out how to get her fixed!

Judy White
'72 - 27' International Ambassador
01 Powersmoker

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Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2004 15:56:34 -0400
From: "Scott Scheuermann" <s.l.scheuermann@xxxxxxxxxx.att.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Fwd: Lansing Rally - 2004 

John,

My best suggestion would be to write a letter to the President and the VP's
of WBCCI. Setting up and organizing the International Rally is a major part
of what they do. You should find their names in your Blue Beret. Remember
that last new officers were just installed, so the old 1st VP is now the
President. Mail one copy for each officer to WBCCI headquarters and they
will be distributed. Hopefully someone will listen, and make some
appropriate changes. While at the rally I learned that one of the VP's
really wants the WBCCI to survive for his children (sorry, I don't remember
his name). He realizes that changes need to be made to WBCCI and that the
VAC is succeeding, and perhaps the future of WBCCI. It may take a few years,
but lets give him a chance to make changes when and where he is able.

Scott

- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Truitt" <airstreamguy@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 11:10 PM
Subject: [VAL] Fwd: Lansing Rally - 2004


> > Thank you VAC for being there!  Without you my entire First Timer
> > Rally would have been a total bust!
> > That being said -
> > As a first timer - What a disappointment, frustrating experience.
> > Instead of complaining here - I would like to ask what is the best way
> > to communicate my experiences, reflections and recommendations?
> > As an event organizer and communications director I feel that I may
> > have something to offer.  Thank you for any direction you can lead me.

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Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2004 14:48:38 -0600
From: "Randy Unter" <runter@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: [VAL] Alumaclear

This sounds intriguing. $500 for an under 20 footer clear coated. Anyone in
Michigan want to check them out?
Randy Unter
Region 11
- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alumaclear" <rob@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
To: "Randy Unter" <runter@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2004 12:21 PM
Subject: Re: Airstream


> RANDY  Thanks for asking.  No I have not Alumacleared one yet. and no I do
> not strip old clearcoat, but yes Alumaclear will seal any aluminum
material.
>     I am interested in clearing a Airstream travel trailer, but I am not
set
> up for striping .
> If you bring the trailer to me, You cost would start at about $500.00 up
to
> 20ft and about 20.00 per ft additional
>
> If  I come to you it will be plus expences of course.  or if more than one
> trailer at one location will help $
>
> Again thank you for your inquiry on our service.     Robert Loney    give
me
> a call for further questions.
>
> I will be on the road for a few days so replys will be delayed from today.
> www.alumaclear.com
>
> where are you located?
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Randy Unter" <runter@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
> To: <rob@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
> Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2004 12:17 PM
> Subject: Airstream
>
>
> > Have you ever coated Airstream travel trailers? If so, do you strip and
> coat
> > or only coat? What do you charge per linear foot?
> > Thanks.
> > Randy Unter
> > Region 11 Vintage Airstream Club

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End of VAL Digest V1 #301
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