Vintage Tow Vehicles

[Barbara Peerenboom]

You folks have some spectacular set ups! (Pictures, we need pictures )
I can only imagine the oooooo's and aaahhhhs!

Coloradobus-
Thanks for the offer, but I am going for the mid 60's- wagon-type-family-camping-look, and I just love the Vista Cruisers, but a decent one for a reasonable price is hard to find, seems that wagons are all the rage out west. However I am in no hurry...

Barb

[Longhorn]

This is my first atempt to post a pic....Thats my 1966 Caravel and 72' Chevy 3/4 ton with a rare factory wood bed that extends to 8'6" hence the Longhorn moniker. This was the day I bought the Caravel down in Colorado Springs. Happy day!

[Longhorn]

Hey Barb, I grew up in Grantham, New hampsire where my folks still live. I caught the old car bug from him, he's got them going all the way back to 1914! My round the country trip this fall/winter will end there. Good to see someone from the "Live Free or Die" state

[Longhorn]

It's a 63' with 62,000 oringinal miles, don't belive it's ever been out of Colorado. It was owned by only one family before I purchased it last year. Drive's like a new one but no hitch...yet anyway

[MarkE]

Jesse,
Yup, it looks like you're on the way to a great looking camping setup!
You know, last summer there was a 1971 Chevy Suburban ('gotta love that unique 3-door style) for sale around here.
It was a southern vehicle with no rust (rare, here in the rustbelt) and had been beautifully modified in only one respect that Barb may appreciate. It had the slightly raised, multi-window roof of an Olds Vista-Cruiser above the rear pass./cargo area.
It caught my eye and upon close inspection I was suprised how professional the conversion looked. It turned out that this was a modification performed by Superior (the folks that made school bus bodies, ambulances, limos, hearses, etc.
Anyway I was tempted to get it for a tow vehicle (350, Automatic) but didn't.

[Longhorn]

Wow, that really would be something unique! Yeah, I really like the visability out of those equiped with the tailgate/liftgate rear door as well, it would work perfectly with the see through front to back way the AS is set up. The vista windows would just be the icing on the cake

[59toaster]

1970 Pontiac LeMans Rag top. 350HP 1968 GTO 400 with 6x heads. Has more power then our 1988 454 Sub that we will also tow with.

This is not mine but mine is nearly identical. Unfortunately mine is buried under the guts of our Airstream in the garage. The new motor for it is sitting in my enclosed cargo trailer.

[59toaster]

Originally Posted by Longhorn

This is my first atempt to post a pic....Thats my 1966 Caravel and 72' Chevy 3/4 ton with a rare factory wood bed that extends to 8'6" hence the Longhorn moniker. This was the day I bought the Caravel down in Colorado Springs. Happy day!

Do you hang out on www.67-72chevytrucks.com ? I go by Grim there. I had a 1970 Suburban Carry all that I bought to restore. Sold it because I knew it would be a while before I got ot it. Wish I still had it to pull the Airstream. It was a 292cid truck so it had a 4.10 rear end in it. Somebody along the way dropped a 327 with double humps in it.

[safari57]

Thought I'd try to load a pic of my '57 Pontiac with my '58 Silver Streak 17' Chico model - I'll load one of the car and '51 Flying Cloud when it quits raining long enough (roof vents are still out for repair). Hope the picture is small enough to work. The car now has a '70 Trans Am 455 and auto transmission, and the front frame clip for power disc brakes. Wouldn't want to be towing a trailer in the mountains without proper brakes and the '57's in particular were noted for brake fade. It's a lot of fun and my wife and I enjoy it immensely. We typically travel with a group with cars from 1933 to our "new" '57, and mostly older trailers. Barry

[safari57]

let's see if this works. My '57 Safari wagon with my '58 Silver Streak Chico 17'

[safari57]

Originally Posted by MarkE

Safari57!
Your post touched me in that I, too, towed my 1951 Flying Cloud with my 1955 Chevy Nomad (cousin to your Safari).
This was a great combination & never failed to get attention when on the road.
My 'Mad is powered by just a little 283 Power Pak engine (from a '65 Chevelle) but has plenty of power to haul the Airstream.
I used this combination from 1986 until a few years ago, when I sold the Flying Cloud and got a 1969 Caravel.
I still have the Nomad but haven't used it for towing for the past few years. If I can ever figure out how to scan & post photos to this website, I will add a couple pictures of my '51-'55 rig.
I used to tell people that the Airstream was born in '51, the Chevy in '55, and I was born right between them so I want to see which of us lasts longest. But, I'm afraid it WON'T be Me.

I know what you mean. We bought our Pontiac as a wreck in 1981 and sold a '55 Chev convertible to get it, not that the Chevy was in any better condition. I've always loves Nomads and Safari's and with only 1,292 of the Safari made in '57 when it came up I had to have it. We use it for our pleasure driving every year and really enjoy the smiles, waves and thumbs up it gets. When our car club go travelling in our hot rods and old trailers it's like a car show on wheels. Campgrounds are a treat as many of the other campers come over to look at the cars, the trailers are typically older than most but in as new condition, and it is a tremendous way to meet new friends on every trip. Barry

[Anon]

I would really like to find a 1975-1979 Suburban or van to tow my '77 Minuet.
I always loved the Suburbans from the '70s. Nice and boxy looking!
If anyone knows of a 'burb from that vintage, (any condition), please let me know.
I would love to paint it the same color combination as the Minuet. It might be tacky but I think it owuld look cool!

[Pschoerrn]

Hi all,

what would be a good vintage tow vehicle to tow a 1971 29 foot Ambassador?

Any Ideas??

Bjoern

[Porky Pig]

If I had a Vintage Airstream ... I would tow it with this 1955 1st Series Pickup.

But I don't have a Vintage Airstream ... and I no longer have the truck. Like an idiot ... I sold it right after I restored it.