This was of particular interest for me, as well... Bud Cooper graciously
shared his photos and experience doing a shell-off restoration of his '48
with me just the other day:
the lower panels of the inside skin are screwed in, not riveted (at least,
on the late-'40's models), but it may not be necessary to remove all of
them. The belly pan, on the other hand, has 'tabs', some of which are
attached to the outer shell, and some of which are folded over and attached
to the floor... Bud first removed the 'bumper-strip' band which conceals the
rivets/screws attaching the shell to the belly-pan and the floor... He cut
the belly pan below this band. The belly-pan is to be completely replaced.
At this point, it should be possible to detach the upper shell from the
floor. Before doing so, it would be advisable to place 'spreaders'
width-wise to prevent the ribs of the shell from 'closing in'...
----- Original Message -----
From: Jeff Grill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, July 03, 2000 5:38 PM
Subject: [VAC] [Fwd: Re: [a/s] Complete vintage restoration.]
> Please excuse the forwarding of this message. I posted it on the general
> airstream list and recieved no reply, I now it's a big weekend. TIA
>
> Update:
> Now I have done it. I started to remove the inner skin, and have found
> that
> the belly pan comes over the bottom of the frame and is bent down, this
> whole mess is then covered with a thick layer of tar. I can not get the
> belly pan to let go of the frame to lift the body off. Any idea's on
> removal of the tar. This floor has to go and the belly needs to be
> reinsullated, the floor is bolted on from underneath. Help, please.
>
> Jeff
>
> Jeff Grill wrote:
>
> > Howdy all,
> >
> > I have '63 bambi, which was left in the rain without the top vent for 10
> > years. So now I am doing a complete restoration. I have stripped the
> > interior to the walls (saved everything for templates) also took lots of
> > pictures. I need to replace the floor, do I pull the interior skin to
> > access the mounting for the body? What surprises are instore for me
> > when I pull the body? Most importantly is there a good book or web
> > sites, that cover this type of major restore..? Also is it possible to
> > get outer skin panels? or is there a way to repair minor dings and
> > scratches?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Jeff
>
