1947 Tourette: need some guidance...

[burlesot]

All,

I am a phone call away from purchasing a 1947 Tourette.

My brother-in-law lives in Tennessee and found the teardrop for me. The seller wants $1,695 for it. My brother shared a few images from his camera phone. He's investigated the exterior and interior and tells me all doors and hatches work. The body is in decent condition ( a few dents, etc.) It obviously needs new seals, etc. It has new wheels and he reports that the frame is steel and solid, no obvious big problems. I have a couple of questions for all of you:

1. Does the cost seem reasonable?

2. Where can I turn to find out about restoring this baby to its previous glory?

3. Is this a good purchase for somebody like me who is very handy with tools and can fix just about anything, but has never worked with aluminum?

I really appreciate your guidance! I am so excited about almost owning a 65 year old teardrop!

Todd

Here are some poor images from a camera phone

[doug hodder]

If you want to "restore" it's missing some parts. Wheels are incorrect, as are lights, missing galley handle and hatch kinda appears sprung or not seating on 1 side. Also...is that water on the floor on the interior? I'd beat them up a bunch on the price, point out what's not correct and what it's missing, all the problems. Try to find some photos of complete Tourettes so that you have plenty of knowledge to beat them up with. Just my opinion...Doug

[burlesot]

Doug,
Thank you for the insights.

I am not sure about the water on the inside; my brother in law is going to work on the guy for the price. He purchased it at a swap meet. He doesn't know anything about them and thus probably won't care much about what's 'wrong' with it. However, I have some wonderings. Part of me doesn't care so much about restoring it to it's pristine state. I would want to clean it up; customize it inside and out to fit my needs and enjoy it. This would be my first teardrop. For the past year I have planned on making my own when I saved up enough to do so. Therefore, I was planning on using this as a base to build up and make it 'mine.' Now, the other part of me wonders if I'm crazy (this is highly possible) for purchasing an older model like this if I'm not planning to "restore" it. I know there are a lot of folks out there who are purists and would think I really was crazy for customizing a 65 year old model.

What do you think?

Thanks in advance,
Todd

[burlesot]

Found some images of the original model:

[Vedette]

Cool! But will be more costly in the end than an all new build.
So unless you are a collector or are more into the originallity of Teardrop culture and just want to go camping...I would pass.
I just spent stupid $$$$ to build a my TD because I wanted something different that would fit the theme of its Tow Vehicle.
Almost wish I had just purchased a "Little Guy" and a brand new fuel efficient tow vehicle.
Could have had both for the price of "Miss Piggy"
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[robfisher]

A dented tourette is a very difficult trailer to make pristine. Nearly impossible to flatten dents in aluminum since any dent has stretched the metal. I'm not saying impossible, well maybe I will say impossible if you're trying to keep the original aluminum finish. It can be filled and painted but you're no longer talking a pristine tourette.

That said, a tourette is a great usable trailer. If you feel you can live with it as is then the price gets you camping at a reasonable cost. My tourette is my tried and true friend. I've taken it all over the country for many years. It will never be the belle of the ball. That's OK with me. There is another in the family that does have a greater appreciation for beauty. 'Nuff said.

[burlesot]

I really appreciate the input here.

Right now I'm thinking that I don't 'care' so much about the pristine qualities. I want a teardrop that I can use; not necessarily as is (I know it needs a little work to get it in usable order) but soon.

I'm thinking that I have to spend about $2000 for a new trailer and all the 'wood' to make my 'own.' For about $400 I can renovate and upgrade this trailer to usable fashion.

Any other thoughts? I think I'm going to get the price down to $1500 and my brother-in-law sent me a few more pictures. The galley has all the original pieces (ice box, etc) It's water tight and the interior is dry. The dark color that looks like water is actually a stain of some sort (clearly the plywood bottom will need to be replaced.)

Thanks,
Todd

[Gage]

I think I'm going to get the price down to $1500 and my brother-in-law sent me a few more pictures. The galley has all the original pieces (ice box, etc) It's water tight and the interior is dry. The dark color that looks like water is actually a stain of some sort (clearly the plywood bottom will need to be replaced.)
Thanks,
Todd

I think I would offer him $900 and then go from there. Be sure to bring up every thing that has to be done and exaggerate a little of what it's going to cost.

[eamarquardt]

Saw this after poking around a bit:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1946-Tou ... 6610#v4-35

Cheers,

Gus

[Rolly]

I have yet to spend less than $500 to fix up and old trailer. Spring mounts, bolts, bushings, springs, wheel bearings, races, seals, spindles, lug bolts, nuts. All need to be checked on a 60 year old trailer. Since it has newer tires and wheels (check the date codes on the tires) maybe this has been done. In my opinion a survivor Tourett would show a lot of panache.

Rolly

[reo-ron]

II,m kinda form over function. I'd rather have an original ( even modified) over a nicer new one. I've had an original Kampmaster, and new homemade "Kit" and currently am camping a '61 Trailorboat. I still like the oldies even if I am building a new 4X8 ?? Just get some thing and get to a gathering! That's where the fun is - getting to use them!
Ron

[lancew]

I'm thinking that I have to spend about $2000 for a new trailer and all the 'wood' to make my 'own.' For about $400 I can renovate and upgrade this trailer to usable fashion.


You already sold yourself the teardrop. you are just not listening. you already said it doesnt have to be pristine, which it doesnt. you obviously are function not appearance. get it for the lowest price you can and enjoy. you say your a handyman, enjoy the work that needs to be done. your money ahead.

[burlesot]

Lance
Totally right!

Wish me luck!

T

[burlesot]

All

This is a little premature since I don't own my 47 yet, but can I ask a favor? Who is or where is the best source for replacement seals, doors, lights etc for this type of classic? I sincerely appreciate any and all assistance.

Todd

[burlesot]

Hey guys
Sorry to not use the tools already laid out here. I searched and found lil bear has seals and everything else as well as tons of other resources on the design page. If anyone has any 47 Tourette specific resources, please share those with me.

Thanks,
Todd