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King O D Road · 11-19-2009, 11:53 AM

Purchased a 1962 tradewind. Is this spare tire cover a airstream product or after market?

flyfshr · 11-20-2009, 07:31 AM

Don't know for sure but I love it!! Good find.

Brad
FF

bredlo · 11-20-2009, 08:29 AM

Hey Blue,

If you find yourself not wanting to use that cover, I'd sure love to give it a good home. Please put me first on a list if you decide to sell!

overlander64 · 11-20-2009, 09:28 AM

Greetings Bluebunny!

Welcome to the Forums and the world of Vintage Airstream ownership!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluebunny

Purchased a 1962 tradewind. Is this spare tire cover a airstream product or after market?

The spare tire cover that you have is a common accessory from the early to mid-1960s. I have seen it on coaches from 1961 through 1964. While I can't prove it, my suspicion is that it was either a dealer installed accessory or an "Airstream Store" or "Club Store" product.

From my experiences trying to obtain such a cover for my Overlander, I know it is a sought-after accessory today.

Kevin

safari57 · 11-20-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluebunny

Purchased a 1962 tradewind. Is this spare tire cover a airstream product or after market?

It ALMOST looks like it would make a good portable Fire Pit, or so I've been told

B

airbassador · 11-20-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluebunny

Purchased a 1962 tradewind. Is this spare tire cover a airstream product or after market?

I would tuck that thing in the garage and only use it for special events. It might walk away from you at the regular old state parks.

On the other hand, it's more likely to get banged up if not on the trailer. Neither way can you win. Just send it to me so you don't have to stress over it.

bredlo · 11-20-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbassador

It might walk away from you at the regular old state parks.

Heck, not even! Somebody stole the pristeen vintage license plate off our trailer in a well-lit WalMart parking lot a couple months back! Right under the security camera! While we were inside, sleeping!

Oh, and don't bother filing police reports over stuff like this in Demming, New Mexico. They simply don't care enough to call you back, or go look at the tapes.

**Kevin245** · 11-20-2009, 11:13 AM

I've not seen one, but it sure looks nice!

Very unique.

Kevin

VIKING · 11-20-2009, 11:36 AM

I saw this one at the Vintage Restoration Rally In April. It's a little dinged-up but I still think it looks very cool.
Rich the Viking

King O D Road · 11-20-2009, 01:34 PM

Thanks for all of the input. Hopefully some one will have a answer down the road. It seems as though the guy who wants to use it for a FIREPIT is probably first in line. Thanks, Roger

**azflycaster** · 11-20-2009, 04:41 PM

In the 1964 price list on the Airstream website an option for a spare wheel mount and cover is listed for $50. I wonder if this is the same cover.

Al - K4GLU · 11-22-2009, 01:50 PM

Just arrived at Rockhound SP near Deming, NM for a week and there is a vintage Airstream here with one of these covers. Not sure what year it is as there is no one around - in fact it has a somewhat deserted look. After seeing one up close in my opinion the cover looks better in the picture shown here than it does in person.

bredlo · 11-22-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al - K4GLU

After seeing one up close in my opinion the cover looks better in the picture shown here than it does in person.

Maybe that one doesn't look as good in person, but this one at International this past summer sure did...

bredlo · 11-22-2009, 02:46 PM

The only thing I'd change is to add a polished aluminum shield on the backside, (with a slit halfway up the middle to slide it on). That way you wouldn't have the reflection of the tire on the trailer.

Al - K4GLU · 11-22-2009, 02:58 PM

The one here has not been polished and it has a dent. Even so the thing just looks too big and bulky to me and I personally don't find it that good looking - although it is probably better than a bare tire.

safari57 · 11-22-2009, 02:59 PM

Brad - great idea. It makes sense and would very easy to build to complete the set up.

Barry

bredlo · 11-22-2009, 03:20 PM

Thanks Barry! I suppose you'd want to use 2 or 3 of these to connect the new "shield" to the cover, so you can get the pieces apart quickly.

bredlo · 11-22-2009, 03:29 PM

Here's another unlikely thought: these covers are now pretty rare, and there are probably many of us who'd love to have one... I wonder if the original vacuum mold for this piece still exists somewhere (maybe covered in dust at the back of a mop closet in Jackson Center.)

It'd sure be cool if Airstream popped a few dozen out to sell online. They certainly still have all the other equipment necessary.

Hmm... there's your latest new activity during Alumapalooza: sneaking away from the tour group to go mold hunting!

Wally said :make no changes: -- he never mentioned anything about reproductions!