What Year is my 1950/60 Flying Cloud?

GaFlyingCloud · 10-23-2003, 08:14 AM

I recently purchased a rough but original 21/22' 1950 to 1960 Flying cloud. (I beleive it to be a Flying Cloud based on online pictures of other airstreams) Name plate states Manufacture in Jackson Ohio with a serial number 7902. Can anyone help me identify the year of manufacture. or where I could research this information.

Thanks Much. I'm new to the Airstream world. I got a great deal on a "Behind the barn for many years" trailer, and am greatly enthused to bring it back to life. GaFlyingCloud....

47WeeWind · 10-23-2003, 09:29 AM

Hi, and welcome to the list.

It looks like #7902 might be a late 1955 or early 1956 Flying Cloud made in California. We do not know the exact serial number separating the 1955 from 1956 Flying Clouds, so have estimated the cut off at slightly higher than your s/n. Here is an excellent web site with photos and feature information on old Airstreams:

http://www.vintageairstream.com/archives/index.html

Check out the FC's pictured there and compare them to yours. Congratulations on getting your FC.

59toaster · 10-23-2003, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GaFlyingCloud
I recently purchased a rough but original 21/22' 1950 to 1960 Flying cloud. (I beleive it to be a Flying Cloud based on online pictures of other airstreams) Name plate states Manufacture in Jackson Ohio with a serial number 7902. Can anyone help me identify the year of manufacture. or where I could research this information.

Thanks Much. I'm new to the Airstream world. I got a great deal on a "Behind the barn for many years" trailer, and am greatly enthused to bring it back to life. GaFlyingCloud....

Welcome to the insanity.

A few clues can be had from the body, windows and wheel ell openings. Around 58 the ends caps went from 13 segment to 7 segment is the first BIG clue. Post up a couple of pictures and I'm sure we can help.
Judging from the SN number it's a 1955.
http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...55FC/55FC.html
Now The Safari, Flying Cloud and the Caravanner all had the same 22' length designation and coach work. So it may not be a FC it may be one of the other two models. Window placement is a big clue on the model. There was also "Custom" coaches that are customer spec built. Those are in a legue of their own and no two are alike.

www.vintageairstream.com has the most extensive photo archive of vintage coaches that I am aware of. Even same year there are subtle changes to layout, accessories used.

59toaster · 10-23-2003, 09:32 AM

Ohh wow that link I posted to the 55 has coach 7903 pictured

GaFlyingCloud · 10-23-2003, 09:57 AM

Weewind and Toaster, Thanks so much for your reply. I should have included on the first pass that this unit is in fact a 13 rib, whale tail model. I have viewed other similar (windows and features) trailers online.......hence my guess at the Flying Cloud designation?????

I will post a picture soon for further identification. Thanks again for your help. I'm sure to have many questions in the coming months................over and out....... GaFlyingCloud

59toaster · 10-23-2003, 10:15 AM

There is a growing number of us in Atlanta Metro area (I'm actually in Marietta). There has been some talk of a get together. Keep an eye on the forum.

Look forward to seeing the pictures.

Our 59 was rough and we are in the middle of a full body off redo. The Body was just reinstalled Sunday. Feel free to hit me up for any advice. I am trying to keep current posts with what I'm doing to help others. There are 4 of use doing body of floor replacement right now.

Yehhhhhaaaa we have our heads screwed on crooked and gluttons for punishment LOL. It is fun though.

47WeeWind · 10-23-2003, 04:26 PM

GaFC:

The 7902 serial number alone is sufficient to identify your trailer as a California built 22' Flying Cloud model. All Ohio built trailers in those years had an "O" [for "O"hio] prefix to their serial numbers. Other 22' trailers had different serial numbers ranges. The only thing we are not yet sure of is the model year for your trailer. It's 1955 by estimate only, but might be 1956 if the estimated 1955 year end s/n is incorrect. The year used for motor vehicle title or registration purposes may be different, particularly if your trailer was not first registered until 1956. But your trailer will be enjoyable regardless of it's model year. Again, congratulations!

InsideOut · 10-23-2003, 04:40 PM

Fred, et al ~

Doesn't the "whale tail" also support that it's a CA model? I didn't think they made the Dutchman caps in OH...

Shari

47WeeWind · 10-24-2003, 12:41 AM

Shari:

Right you are! One would naturally expect to see "whale tails" come only from the LA California factory next to the ocean, nothing fishy about that. The Dutchmans Cap, an alternate name, is a bit more subtle. Seems there was a splinter (actually a metalic "sliver") group of West Coast Dutch settlers who in 1954 swore off ox tail soup in favor of whale tail soup. On the high holidays, they would don their stylish dark blue berets with an extended cap on the front. Drinking mightly from the ceremonial 9 panel riveted aluminum chalice on a split rim base, they would occasionally overindulge. When so spirited, they would pull down the extended caps over each others heads. This is how the reverse tapered center panel on mid 1950's west coast trailers became to be known as the Dutchman's Cap as well as the whale tail. If you believe that, I have another riveting story for you. Goodnight Gracie!

InsideOut · 10-24-2003, 12:56 AM

Can you hear my roaring laughter all the way over at your house Fred?!

Shari

RichardT · 06-17-2004, 01:53 PM

I have coach serial # 7908 and it is a 1955 pretty wild that we know where several between 7902 and 7908 are.

More pictures at http://photos.yahoo.com/richtrich

What I want to know is what the rear access door is for, mine was made without it, and I like the clean line of the rear without it.

47WeeWind · 06-17-2004, 11:59 PM

Richardt:

The rear or rear curb side storage door was to access a general storage compartment underneath the rear or rear curb side single or double bed. When a trailer had a bed across the entire rear, the access door was on the lower rear panel. When a trailer had the rear bed curb side, the access door was on the rear curb side. All four 1955 Flying Clouds shown on RJ's web site:

http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...55FC/55FC.html

have a bed full width across the rear, so their storage compartment access door in on the lower rear panel. I imagine your trailer has a storage compartment access door on the rear curb side aft of the wheel well and adjacent to the rear curb side bed. Is my imagination correct?

RichardT · 06-18-2004, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47WeeWind

I imagine your trailer has a storage compartment access door on the rear curb side aft of the wheel well and adjacent to the rear curb side bed. Is my imagination correct?

Yes you are correct, it has a side bath and a side bed. The access door is were you state it is. Thank you for info.

DustyDevil · 07-12-2005, 01:11 PM

My 22 foot is titled as a '56, #8157 it is all original, the only thing about it that I can't find on any other smaller trailer is that it has two full entry doors. One in the normal forward position, and one in the bedroom in the back (same side). It looks and functions just like the font entry door, screen and all. I have scoured photo's on the net, magazine ads from the time and everyone I can, no one seems to have ever seen one like this. I'll post pics once I finish cleaning it up.