fun find --- vintage family AS photo's

[Sixty3TW4US]

Absolutley Fantastic pic's thanks for sharing them with the rest of us.

[streamer23]

Thanks for sharing the photos with us.I always find old Airstream pictures so interesting.A snapshot of another time.

[NDM & 12paws]

Originally Posted by NDM & 12paws

I don't see any pics in post #7. I can see the Ford in #15 above though. Must be my settings?

Now I see them! Great shots!

Thanks for posting.

[overlander64]

Greetings Funkill!

The car in the photo that you and your mother are in is likely a 1965 Oldsmobile Delta 88 (could also be Dynamic 88).

Kevin

[funkill]

Anyone want to take a stab at the year/model of any of the AS in the pics? It would be too cool if one was a 27' 1973 Overlander. But, I think that by then they had worked to a slightly bigger one.....

Are those awnings over the curb-side windows (and even one shot with it on the front window) in the pictures, or some kind of slip-on cover?

And it the last set of pic's, I can see the letters "S E E" on the side - what might that stand for? Notice the little lights mounted on the curbside too - those must be temporary ones????

[overlander64]

Greetings Funkill!

Originally Posted by funkill

Anyone want to take a stab at the year/model of any of the AS in the pics? It would be too cool if one was a 27' 1973 Overlander. But, I think that by then they had worked to a slightly bigger one.....

The earlier single axle trailer appears to be a 1965 Tradewind. If it is, it would be somewhat unusual in that tandem axles became standard in '64; but Airstream, at the time, would often accommodate customer requests for custom features. I don't believe that it is a '64 or earlier as it does not have the door-within-a-door.

I am less familiar with later model Airstreams beyond 1968, but I believe that the newer 1970s era coach is likely at least an Ambassador (28' or 29' depending upon year); but more probably a Sovereign (30' or 31' depending upon year). I don't believe that it would be an Overland as it appears to have side-by-side windows in the lving room.

Are those awnings over the curb-side windows (and even one shot with it on the front window) in the pictures, or some kind of slip-on cover?

Originally Posted by funkill

And it the last set of pic's, I can see the letters "S E E" on the side - what might that stand for? Notice the little lights mounted on the curbside too - those must be temporary ones????

The awnings on the windows are typical of those that were often made by the owner or purchased through the company store. They were usually attached by snaps in the top corners of the window, and held on the bottom of the windows with elastic. The windows could be closed with these awnings attached resulting in a much darkened interior environment.

The lettering on the side of the coach at the bottom appears to be a state or unit name. During the 1970s and 1980s, it was fairly common to have one's unit or state name painted in the coach's side coves. Could your grandparents have had some attachment to a unit in Tennessee? The porch light (next to the window immediately to left of entry door) was an option available from sometime in the 1950s through the mid-to-late 1970s. The photo below is of the optional porch light on my '64 Overlander:



The porch light was attached to a special base that plugged into the single outlet next to the window and was secured with a screw-down ring (seen hanging below my porch light) -- the porch light was detached for travel and stored in the coach.

I believe that there may be two 1970s era coaches in your group of photos. The coach in the next to the last group that has the rear fender of the white Oldsmobile visible appears to be a '69 as it looks like the lower outer corner of the wing window is squared off; while the coach in the bottom-most set appears to be a 1970 or later as it appears to have the rounded off lower outer corner of the wing window.

Kevin

[leopattie]

Dang those pictures are sweet!

[63Silver]

Wow, those photos are great. I can only hope to enjoy life as much as they did and all the experiences they had with their family. Airstreams seem to help you focus on what is most important. It would be interesting to see if you could use the numbers on the picture and find the Airstreams today it they are still on the road.

63silver

[balrgn]

What an awesome time capsule! Nice, thanks for posting!

[funkill]

Originally Posted by overlander64

Greetings Funkill!


The earlier single axle trailer appears to be a 1965 Tradewind. If it is, it would be somewhat unusual in that tandem axles became standard in '64; but Airstream, at the time, would often accommodate customer requests for custom features. I don't believe that it is a '64 or earlier as it does not have the door-within-a-door.

I'll have to look at some pics to see what a door-within-a-door is .. sounds interesting.

I am less familiar with later model Airstreams beyond 1968, but I believe that the newer 1970s era coach is likely at least an Ambassador (28' or 29' depending upon year); but more probably a Sovereign (30' or 31' depending upon year). I don't believe that it would be an Overland as it appears to have side-by-side windows in the lving room.

Are those awnings over the curb-side windows (and even one shot with it on the front window) in the pictures, or some kind of slip-on cover?


The awnings on the windows are typical of those that were often made by the owner or purchased through the company store. They were usually attached by snaps in the top corners of the window, and held on the bottom of the windows with elastic. The windows could be closed with these awnings attached resulting in a much darkened interior environment.

Those are really cool - I think I might try to make some that would just slip on like a pillow cover.

The lettering on the side of the coach at the bottom appears to be a state or unit name. During the 1970s and 1980s, it was fairly common to have one's unit or state name painted in the coach's side coves. Could your grandparents have had some attachment to a unit in Tennessee?

I don't think they were involved with anything Tenessee - but I guess they could have bought the AS "used" --- though I think they always bought new - and I recall their many visits to Jackson Center. Another cool idea though - painting the unit's name on the side.

The porch light (next to the window immediately to left of entry door) was an option available from sometime in the 1950s through the mid-to-late 1970s. The photo below is of the optional porch light on my '64 Overlander:



The porch light was attached to a special base that plugged into the single outlet next to the window and was secured with a screw-down ring (seen hanging below my porch light) -- the porch light was detached for travel and stored in the coach.

I believe that there may be two 1970s era coaches in your group of photos. The coach in the next to the last group that has the rear fender of the white Oldsmobile visible appears to be a '69 as it looks like the lower outer corner of the wing window is squared off; while the coach in the bottom-most set appears to be a 1970 or later as it appears to have the rounded off lower outer corner of the wing window.

Kevin

Thanks for your time Kevin - I've made a note next to the pics with your suggestions and plan to look at them closer in the future!

Laura

[safari57]

Originally Posted by funkill

Thanks for your time Kevin - I've made a note next to the pics with your suggestions and plan to look at them closer in the future!

Laura

I'm sure most of us would be glad to "help" you Laura if you just keep posting the pictures.

Barry

[Shacksman]

Originally Posted by funkill

Anyone want to take a stab at the year/model of any of the AS in the pics? It would be too cool if one was a 27' 1973 Overlander. But, I think that by then they had worked to a slightly bigger one.....

Are those awnings over the curb-side windows (and even one shot with it on the front window) in the pictures, or some kind of slip-on cover?

And it the last set of pic's, I can see the letters "S E E" on the side - what might that stand for? Notice the little lights mounted on the curbside too - those must be temporary ones????

A lot of the 70's trailers had their State name on the side. that one must be Tennessee.

[gail]

Thanks for sharing those photos! I hope our grandboys will get hooked. We are starting airstreaming when they are only 3 and 6. We are 60 and 63. Wow those years just fly on by. Keep those photos coming!!! ty ty ty

[balrgn]

A little off topic, not my family and not all Airstreams but worth a look see!!!

trailer source:life - Google Image Search

[safari57]

Originally Posted by balrgn

A little off topic, not my family and not all Airstreams but worth a look see!!!

trailer source:life - Google Image Search

What a fun look at the past. Thanks for sharing that.

Barry

[gail]

With the market going past the sewer treatment plant better not to retire and if possible just cut your schedule. Our thoughts and prayers for everyone in these very uncertain economical times.

[cameront120]

Originally Posted by balrgn

A little off topic, not my family and not all Airstreams but worth a look see!!!

trailer source:life - Google Image Search

Very cool! I never knew you could refine a search like that.

[76sovereign]

Thank you for the link to trailer source:life We really enjoyed seeing all the old photos. Some were taken before I was born! very cool...Thank you again

Originally Posted by safari57

What a fun look at the past. Thanks for sharing that.

Barry

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by funkill

Anyone want to take a stab at the year/model of any of the AS in the pics? It would be too cool if one was a 27' 1973 Overlander. But, I think that by then they had worked to a slightly bigger one.....

Are those awnings over the curb-side windows (and even one shot with it on the front window) in the pictures, or some kind of slip-on cover?

And it the last set of pic's, I can see the letters "S E E" on the side - what might that stand for? Notice the little lights mounted on the curbside too - those must be temporary ones????

Just found this thread, so here goes my attempt at Airstream identification. Realize that the photos are not of the highest resolution and that certain identifying characteristics that can be used to determine year did not always change exactly at the model year, so while I think I have things very close, I could be off by a year +/- in a few cases.

(By that way "S E E" is probably the last three letters of "TENNESSEE", as it was common to put your state name on the side of your Airstream back in the 1970s.)

Here goes . . .

First photo group:
Top Left = 1969 or 1970 31' Sovereign
Other Three = 1965 26' Overlander
Top Right = 2nd smaller Airstream is likely a 1965 26' to 30'



Second photo group:
Top = 1964 26' Overlander or 28' Ambassador
Bottom = 1969 29' Ambassador or 31' Sovereign (or might be an early 1970)



Third photo group:
Top Left = 1964 24' Tradewind
Top Right = 1966 to 1968, unknown length
Bottom = 1969 or 1970 29' Ambassador or 31' Sovereign



Fourth photo group:
Top = 1970ish-1973ish of Unknown length, possibly the same trailer as the 1969 or 1970 above
Middle = Two 1970-1973 31' Sovereigns
Bottom = 1969-1973 31' Sovereign



Fifth photo group:
Top = 1970ish to 1976 of unknown length, possibly same trailer as in earlier photos
Middle & Bottom = 1973-1976 31' Sovereign w/ rear bedroom

[casarodante]

Where have I been also? I just saw this thread. I have some older photos of my mom and dad (and family). The link is in my signature. However, they are NOWHERE near as exciting and exotic.

Fantastic! Pictures of vintage Airstreams are nice but vintage pictures of Airstreams are the best!