Next Airstream ???

[Over59]

This airstream seems an excellent buy for a full redo. Could be my next project. Any experts out there know if this is a pipe frame year. I really don't want to take one of those on. No surprises here. It's a "Full-Monty" for sure.
eBay Motors: Vintage Airstream Air Stream 1953 Travel trailer RV (item 110074714125 end time Jan-07-07 19:00:00 PST)

[Jim & Susan]

I was thinking the pipe frames ended sometime in the '40's. You're right, it's a Full Monty waiting to happen.

Jim

Hey !Thats a nice Airstream. I don't think it's a pipe frame but I know the experts will chime in. You might want to rotate those photo's, had to turn my neck to an unnatural position for a good view.

[WHR]

The 53 you are looking at does not have a pipe frame. We just bought a 53 cruiser about a month ago. You can see it on Vintageairstreams.com. Go to the Archives and scrool down to 1953 and check out the trailers in the archive. Our trailer is number 6294. Wade

[rickandsandi]

WOW! What a great project! Get hold of Fred and he can tell you if it's pipe or not. I would guess that it is. Looks like a CA Overlander but may be a cruiser. If there was a close-up of the front I could tell about the frame. I love it!

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by Jim & Susan

I was thinking the pipe frames ended sometime in the '40's. You're right, it's a Full Monty waiting to happen.

Jim

According to RJ Dial's site Vintage Airstream Home the ladder frames began in the early 1950's, I seem to remember 1951 or 1952 or so.

Bill

[azflycaster]

Based upon the posting in the ebay add, the trailer appears to be a 53 Cruiser built in Ohio. Pipe frames were used in 47-50. The trailer looks good and would make a great project.

[safari57]

My 51 Flying Cloud does not have a pipe frame. I believe they quit using them during the 1950 production run. If you have any question have the seller email you a picture of the area where the frame comes out from under the body at the tongue. I'm sure you will find that if it is a '53 it's not pipe.

Good luck, it looks to be in fine shape for a resto from the pictures.

Barry

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by rickandsandi

Get hold of Fred and he can tell you if it's pipe or not.

When I came up with my "Vintage Airstream Features" quick reference matrix, I ran it by Fred. He at that time confirmed that pipe frames stopped being used with the '51 model year. I also believe the curved nose & tails ended with the pipe frames, the one in the listing is square like a typical '53.

Give it some time, Fred will probably check-in with this thread and confirm...my guess in the meantime though is, it's a '53 without a pipe frame.

BTW, it does look like a nice candidate for a restoration ~

Shari

[rickandsandi]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

When I came up with my "Vintage Airstream Features" quick reference matrix, I ran it by Fred. He at that time confirmed that pipe frames stopped being used with the '51 model year. I also believe the curved nose & tails ended with the pipe frames, the one in the listing is square like a typical '53.

Give it some time, Fred will probably check-in with this thread and confirm...my guess in the meantime though is, it's a '53 without a pipe frame.

BTW, it does look like a nice candidate for a restoration ~

Shari

I think it would be great except that I am loking for a tandem which puts me in the 55 -56 starting market. I found a '56 Overlander in a field in VT which Fred actually helped me identify which is still on my hit list but seems to be tied up in legal due to a recent death in the family. So that elusive mid 50's tandem is still a pipe dream !

But yes, Fred will know. Sort of like Mikey. I will email the link to him.

[flyfshr]

This Custom built/ordered Airstream clearly has the ladder style frame and not the pipe frame. A pipe frame unit didn't have the full width bumper. This has the ever elusive fold-up bathroom sink. That's practically worth it alone.

Brad
FF

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by rickandsandi

I think it would be great except that I am loking for a tandem which puts me in the 55 -56 starting market. I found a '56 Overlander in a field in VT which Fred actually helped me identify which is still on my hit list but seems to be tied up in legal due to a recent death in the family. So that elusive mid 50's tandem is still a pipe dream !

But yes, Fred will know. Sort of like Mikey. I will email the link to him.

Not really, the 29' and 30' Liner's of the early 1950's have tandem axles. For a Cruiser (26') you will need a later model or a special order.

Bill