[overlander64]

Greetings Pap!

So far as I have been able to determine, the accordian doors were used periodically from sometime in the late 1950s through the late 1960s. I suspect that there were probably two factors influencing that decision weight and cost savings - - possibly complexity of construction and long-term serviceability as well.

My '64 Overlander International still has its original accordian doors (Bedroom to Bathroom and Bedroom to Living Area), but my '78 Argosy Minuet has lost its pocket door to problems with the track and carrier mechanism (is currently in the process of being fitted with a floor-to-ceiling double-sided drape as its replacement). The original 1964 accordian doors in my '64 Overlander are still quite presentable, but the stiching that holds the steel support rods in the folds is failing rapidly due to age deterioration. So far as I was able to determine last summer, the manufacturer of the accordian doors in my Overlander is no longer in existence. I checked with several of the home improvement centers, and found an accordian door system that could be adapted to an Airstream application rather easily - - but it was simulated wood rather than a vinyl fabric as used in my Overlander. It seems that the bi-fold or pocket doors became the preferred "room" division method sometime about 1966.

Kevin