Factory finishing - West compared with the Mid West / The Heartland

I was told that Wally Byams #1 Trailer was made in Ohio but was confused as it had a Californian  Dutchman's cap / Whale Tail but Ohio style wheel arches.

I was later informed that the trailer was actually built in the Los Angeles factory.

The following article in Trail R News September 1955  also confirms the trailer was built in Los Angeles Ca.  -

Since then, I've noticed some small differences between both factories production line finishing in the mid 50's. These are a little less obvious than looking at end panels, wheel arches and s/n's.

Below are a few -

Internal rivet sealing

Out of all the mid 50's CA trailers I've worked on the rivets have been sealed internally.  I first noticed this with Wally's #1 trailer and thought it got special treatment, but I since realised it probably was standard LA practice -

56 CA Bubble interior, complete seal -

55 CA Wally Byam Bubble, rivet stem sealed

56 OH Bubble, no seal

Door Gasket fitting
I've also noticed the CA fitted door gaskets with a blind rivet. Expamples below, first the Wally Byam #1 trailer  and then a 56 Ohio Bubble

jas cunningham

Magnesium Alloys and surface treatments

I'm lucky to have some very good contacts in the metal industry having worked with the Metal Man himself Marc Rich in London and New York.

I asked for some advice on how safe this magnesium alloy is to work with. I had already cut a sample out for the assay with no problems, but I wanted to check to be safe.

I have been advised that I should take particular care with the swarf and dust while working with the alloy.

An excellent source for information on Magnesium is Magnesium Elektron, they have branches all over the world.

Two relevant docs are -

Machining Magnesium datasheet

Suface treatments, if untreated magnesium alloys could well turn to power

Lots to think about on how to tackle the chassis.

X251 Chassis results

The X251 assay has arrived. This has been prepared based on a sample of the chassis I sent to their lab.

This is also posted on the bubbles face book page, You need to be logged into facebook to view -

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150157785752152&set=o.198504083501693&theater

Also posted on facebook is a general information/comparable grade sheet.

The chassis will require various works to fix damage already done plus a few tweaks to help ensure the same problems do not happen again.

Airstream flipper

I've posted this short video on flipping Airstreams in Europe. It's on the #1 Wally Bubble Facebook page. You'll need to sign up to view.

I will be posting details of the Assay on the #1 Airstream chassis very shortly, so get signed up -

Just put Wally Byam Bubble into facebook and request to join.

this old trailer - belly pan replacement

The first rule I have is the eighty twenty rule, 80% planning and 20% doing. With lots of cuts, curves and panel configuration to consider, planning is by far the most important part of this process

Start with an old chassis -

Flip it over in a confined space (video to follow on next posting)

Add some marine ply, elevator / norway blots. Then baste with some special caravan black sticky gupe and leave to soak overnight 

Stir in insulation and add a pinch of tacs and polyurethane 

Apply sheets of aluminium carefully paying attention to detail, we used a slight thicker main section and thinner on the front and rear to help with curve forming -

Mark out and buck solid rivets into the required seams to ensure original lines are retained -

Curl edges as required and cut around the edges just above channel -

Be careful not to add any extra creases -

And hay presso, you have the makings of a belly pan -

1955 Safari hip replacement

This lady needed new hips and jumped the queue (with a little helping hand) and got the operation done privately. But with plenty of life left in her it was definitely the right move -

Above, chassis area rusted out with previous repairs starting to separate from chassis.

Above,  with the section cut out, it reveals the extent of the failure.

Below, other repairs in line with what had been expected due to floor rot - 

Above,  re-tensioned springs, new bushes, linkage, shocks and a nice new EU axle with crank

With a little due care and attention I'm pleased to report that the operation was a success and the lady is recovering well.

This 1955 safari has just started a very interesting chapter of her life


Fairway was my local supermarket when I lived on 42nd Street NYC, it's an institution for New Yorkers, well worth a visit. Below is my old shopping bag being used to keep the hoist chains of the precious vintage aluminium -

In December we had our first airstream export to Japan, for  Lush cosmetics  -

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