I have owned my '62, 24' Airstream (Tradewind?) for nearly twenty years, written
the company, gone to Airstream events, flagged down other owners and have
never found anything about, or seen, another one like mine. Perhaps someone on this forum can assist?
What I have is (registered as) a 1962, twenty-four footer. The blue serial
number plate, next to the door,is about 4" x 9 1/2" with the guy on a
bicycle on the left and the stamped data to the right, laid out like this:
24DS S0706
10 61
The layout is similar to the '62 TradeWind shown, but my head is in the port
quarter. The counter with porcelain sink runs across the back and there's a small
fiberglass tub (gold metal-flake, no less!) occupying the port quarter. The galley is on the port side, with a gaucho across. The settee in the front converts to a double (uh huh) bed. There is no access door on the " back of the outside, as found on later models. But here's what makes mine different:
It has a tandem, Dura-Torque axle (other 24 footer circa 1962 have single axles);
It has Jalousie windows (like the '64), stacked one above the other, just forward of the door. Likewise on the port side.
The real oddity about this trailer is that one exterior panel (at about head-height) is a gold anodized color for the length of the trailer. I have seen Silver Streaks with this feature, but never an Airstream, yet I'm sure it was done at the factory.
Airstream (fifteen years ago) didn't have a clue and suggested it might be (what they called) a "lead" (leed, not led!) trailer, which (they said) would have had
all the options available for that model, that year, and was built to lead one of the
many Wally Byam caravans (and to plug the options to prospective new
buyers).
Might anyone be able to tell me something about my trailer?
Here's a shot of the beast. Please excuse the quality and the glare, but it does show the stripe and extra windows. The "dent" in the front isn't a dent, it's where the original clear coat has come off. Thanks for your interest and (hopefully) input.
Mark
__________________
Mark in Modesto
Last edited by InsideOut; 08-13-2004 at 09:40 AM..
I showed your picture & asked Fred Coldwell, the VAC historian your question...the following is his reply:
Quote:
Shari:
Nothing official or confirmed by any company records, so
what follows is pure speculation. The only Airstream
trailers I have ever seen photos of that were gold anodized
were Wally's personal trailers, like the one he took to
Africa (on which the entire outer skin was gold anodized).
I never seen it mentioned in sales any literature, so I
doubt if it was generally available to customers. It may
have been tried on a few trailers, maybe test units that
were used by company officers. Streamline Trailers had gold
anodized stripes, but your photo is of a Tradewind tandem
(it appears).
I have no knowledgeable explanation, but would guess it
belonged to some Airstream higher up at one time. I never
heard of WBCCI officials getting special trailers, but maybe
this one was special ordered by a very good customer or by a
close friend of Wally?
Fred C.
Hopefully this helps to confirm your hunch...
Shari
Last edited by InsideOut; 08-13-2004 at 09:39 AM..
WOW...thank you Sheri, if my old spam-can WAS owned by Wally Byam himself, I am indeed stunned and honored! Even if not, I sometimes feel more at home in the Stream than in my old wood home of thirty years. Thanks again for your input with the unexpected (possible) revelation.
As far as being owned by Wally himself, I don't believe Fred came out and said that! However, that would be cool....if you could prove it.
I got a follow-up email giving some additional potential identifying factors to look for:
Quote:
Shari:
Other thoughts and possible avenues for information: is
there a faded WBCCI number on this trailer? That might help
ID prior owners (I have only two old WBCCI directories from
1973 & 1974, but they might provide a start).
Can prior ownership be traced through the state dept. of
motor vehicles? Some states keep all old title records on
microfiche and copies can be obtained. Other states toss
them after a certain period (10 years in Colorado).
Fred.
Please let us know if you find any additional documentation...
The Wally Byam Club number on the front of my trailer reads a faded red
30908. I have a thick manila envelope with all sorts of provenance, not
all the way back, but it does include the original warranties for the
insulation, appliances, and even the "Lifetime Warranty" for (the original
owner of)the trailer itself. In this folder are receipts for several
owners, dating back to the early 1960's.
I bought it locally (Modesto, CA) when I responded to an ad in the paper for a 1953 Morris Minor 4-door Saloon. The trailer was there and the guy said he's sell it too. I bought them both. He is the fellow who was assigned the club numbers (30908). I've owned it since 1981.
Thanks again for your help and your interest. I'm eager to learn more.
Mark, just thinking back on your thread. I read the "Airstream" book, saw some pictures that looked familiar. Did you find out anything more? Very curious about a potientally "famous" trailer in our midst.
Mar(c)
Thanks for remembereing me and my odd trailer. I'm sorry to say I'm just as in the dark now as I was before, but the trailer doesn't seem to mind much. Did you see any other 'Streams in your book with gold stripes? Again, thanks for asking and happy holidays to you and yours.
I didn't buy the book, just glanced through - hoping Santa will bring me one! - but I think I saw a picture of a trailer like yours being used by Wally himself, in Africa I believe. That is what made me remember your trailer. If I don't get the book at XMas (maybe coal instead?), I'll be getting the book and let you know. I remember you said you have some of the orgininal paperwork. Maybe the factory could help via e-mail? Is there a name on the orginal paperwork? Glad your still out there.
Marc
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