1961 - 1963 Bambi Serial Number Guide

**Andy R** · 07-27-2002, 06:14 PM

1961 was the first year of production for the 16' Bambi trailer. 498 units were made (250 in California & 248 in Ohio). The 2 remaining years that Airstream built Bambi trailers, they made most of them in Ohio (roughly 150 in Ohio & 35 in California per year). A total of 866 were made during their production run in the 60's. Many consider these early 60s Bambi trailers as one of the most sought after by vintage trailer collectors.

Quote:

Production numbers are (Ohio are estimates based on serial # spreads):
1961: 250 Ohio, 248 Calif
1962: 150 Ohio, 33 Calif
1963: 150 Ohio, 35 Calif

California built Bambi serial numbers will start with a 16TDSSxxxx. The first trailer built started with 1600 at the end of the serial number. For example, mine is 16TDSS1728, so that means she is the 128th Bambi built in California...

Ohio built Bambis will have I61T. The 61 changes to match the year produced. For example if a Bambi had a serial that began with I63T then it was a 1963 model. Unlike the California models, they did not start at 1600. So serial number I61T235 was the 235th Bambi built in Ohio in 1961...

The above information was provided by RJ Dial and others from discussions on various list servers in the past.

If you hear any differently or have comments to add, please post them here!

Cheers,

Andy

Janis Timlick · 04-06-2003, 05:25 PM

New user, new Bambi owner, and SO much to learn! Was fascinated with the explanation of the serial numbers Ours is 163T227--which I interprete to be 1963 Ohio, 227th Bambi. Has anyone found a way to trace history by serial number or WBCCI number, ours is #6365. We found a 1961 coin from Turkey under the flooring while repairing dry rot. I have located the two owners before us, but that only takes us back to the eary 1990's.

overlander64 · 04-06-2003, 10:22 PM

RE: Tracing Ownership

While I am not aware of any reliable methods of tracing the ownership of a coach via WBCCI or Airstream records, there is a possibility of tracing the history if the rig has been consistently resgistered in strict title states. In most states, given the serial number, you can request and for a fee be provided with a title search revealing all of the previous registered owners of a vehicle. While I haven't had this done with my Overlander or Minuet as I knew the first and most recent Owners of my Airstream Overlander and the one and only previous owner of my Minuet. I did have this done with my '65 Dodge Coronet through a local currency exchange in Northern Illinois several years ago. The cost was minimal, but the information revealed provided quite a story.

Good luck with your search for your coach's history.

Kevin

Janis Timlick · 04-07-2003, 12:18 AM

Thanks for the info. I can do that in Oregon, where I live. But the earliest owner that I located in Oregon thinks he bought it from a fellow in Washington State. They are privacy fanatics and all the motor vehicle registrations are only released with the permission of the owner (past or present) and since that's who I don't know, I was stuck on the title search. I keep looking though. Thanks again.

bigshinything · 05-06-2003, 06:19 PM

The ID number on the side of my 62 Bambi is simply "S 1865".
What does this mean? There is also a California ID badge next to the blue airstream badge.

Rosemary · 10-04-2003, 07:28 PM

Today I became the proud owner of a '62 Bambi. It's serial # is 162T419.

Seems to mean that more Bambis were produced in Ohia than you estimated.

If they produced 250 in Ohio in 1961 and 150 in 1962, mine seems to have materialised magically - which is ok by me because that is how I felt when I found it!

yukionna · 10-05-2003, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rosemary
Today I became the proud owner of a '62 Bambi.

Congratulations and welcome to the forum!

74Argosy24MH · 10-05-2003, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Seems to mean that more Bambis were produced in Ohia than you estimated.

I would bet that your trailer was #419 built that year, not the 419th Bambi. Most manufacturers don't consider models when the lineup number is assigned, just the order it goes down the line.

John

47WeeWind · 10-05-2003, 01:25 PM

I don't have a complete serial number range (beginning or ending serial numbers) for 1962 Ohio built Bambis. Nevertheless, it appears Ohio built 1962 Bambi serial numbers began at or near 162T401 and went up from there, to at least 162T467. Your 162T419 falls comfortably within that range.

The 250 1961 Ohio built Bambis appear to have serial numbers starting at 161T101 and ending near 161T350. Known low and high 1961 Ohio built Bambi serial numbers are 161T124 and 161T346, thus suggesting the above estimated range of 250 sequential numbers.

The 350 ending sequential number for 1961 Ohio built Bambis leaves open the possibiliy that 1962 Ohio built Bambi serial numbers may have begun 351, but to date no numbers under 401 have been discovered for 1962 Bambis.

Rosemary · 10-05-2003, 07:06 PM

Thanks for clearing that up. Were all Bambis built in the same way or did they have custom made or 'delux' editions or extra options or vary from year to year? I gather from this thread that there were differences between the Californian models and the Ohio models. Must admit I am pretty ignorant about all this but these forums are really fascinating and I just cannot get enough information about my baby. Thank you all for being there

bothbobs · 04-04-2004, 08:17 AM

I bought and am redoing what appears to be a 1964 Bambi made in California. I don't think it is a BambiII because the logo plate does not include the II.
The Serial stamp plate shows 41 6403 S 1141 Santa Fe Springs, CA
(Under it is a California plate showing compliance with CA regulations which is stamped
M-4 S-1141 3992 DOH# A 88909)

I measured 17' 1" from the tip of the hitch to the edge of the bumper.

Can someone answer whether this is indeed a Bambi or is a Bambi II?

thenewkid64 · 04-04-2004, 08:23 AM

The Bambi II in 64 was 17 feet long. In 63 it was 16 feet long and called just a Bambi. In 65 it was 17 feet and called a Caravel. In 64 it would have been called a Bambi II.

So the year it was made would determine if it is a Bambi II or a Caravel.

What kind of door does it have, one piece or a door within a door?

bothbobs · 04-04-2004, 09:18 AM

Wow! Thanks for the quick reply!. I guess it is a Bambi II. The door is one piece. I have attached a link to a Yahoo photo album which may allow you to see a picture. http://photos.yahoo.com/anotherbob65 I don't know if the picture will show.

summerkid · 04-04-2004, 01:35 PM

There are some nice photos of Bambis & Caravels, inside & out, on www.airstreams.net (The first '62 listed is mine though I haven't picked it up yet)....

Please keep posting with your progress, and photos are always pored over. There apparently just aren't too many of these little trailers around anymore. I've heard the figure 800 made and roughly 200 still on the road...