Just Finished Wally's Book....

[Denis4x4]

....TRAILER TRAIL HERE AND ABROAD published in 1960.

The man was a genuine promoter of AS products! Couldn't help but wonder if the non use of the AS in the WBCCI was a shrewd move to personally maintain the club after selling the Airstream company. If so, it shoots a lot of holes in the Save Wally contingent's arguement.

I also suspect that if Wally was still around, He would drum the guy in Region 11 (I hope I got that right) that turned down the FCU charter right out of the club. The FCU appears to address the concepts Wally promoted in the formation of the WBCCI.

As soon as the FCU is chartered, I'll send in my application for membership.

[Chaplain Kent]

Originally Posted by Denis4x4

....TRAILER TRAIL HERE AND ABROAD published in 1960.

Where did you find a copy of the book?

[flyfshr]

Funny, I just finished it too. Great read and an interesting way to get to know Wally a little bit. He sure knew how to promote the product and motivate people. Be interesting to see if the upcoming Capetown to Cairo Caravan will follow closely the same route of its predecesor. I purchased my copy on Ebay after watching every one that came up on auction. It had many more pages than I thought.

Brad
FF

[InsideOut]

I too have read the book (got it on ebay) and found that he was an "interesting character" to say the least!

Originally Posted by Denis4x4

Couldn't help but wonder if the non use of the AS in the WBCCI was a shrewd move to personally maintain the club after selling the Airstream company.

Except...Wally died in 1962 and Airstream wasn't sold until 1967. Wally was long gone ~

Shari

[Janets Husband]

Originally Posted by Chaplain Kent

Where did you find a copy of the book?

Try this link: Google Book Search and type in Wally Byam. You can find the book for loan, check the results on libraries. It's all over the west coast at state and collage libraries. Your search will show which libraries carry it in your state.

[cosmotini]

Originally Posted by Janet's Husband

Try this link: Google Book Search and type in Wally Byam. You can find the book for loan, check the results on libraries. It's all over the west coast at state and collage libraries. Your search will show which libraries carry it in your state.

Ditto that!

I read it about a year ago.

It took my local library about a week to get a copy from the Illinois State library.

[Denis4x4]

"...then you can try and elaborate if you wish..."

From my perspective, I see the WBCCI relationship with AirStream in the same way I relate the Good Sam Club/Art Rouse and TraiLer Life Publications and the Harley Owners Group (HOG) and Harley-Davidson. One hand washes the other!

I know that there are some who think that Wally walked on water and to change the name of the WBCCI is to dishonor his memory. Quite frankly, after reading the book, I came to the conclusion that Wally was a progressive thinker and a name change to include "AirStream" in the same breath as Wally Byam wouldn't hurt his feelings a bit.

I have read David Schwamborn's posting before. The fact that his mother was on the AirStream payroll pretty much confirms my thoughts that the WBCCI was as much a promotional vehicle for AS as it was for the pleasure of AS owners.

It's too bad we can't get somebody to do an electronic secance(sp?) with Wally and find out what he really thinks about a name change and put the issue to rest!

[cosmotini]

Here's a new book that may be of interest

[JStanley]

Great cartoon. I wonder if such a book will ever be created.
There is so much information on this forum, on the web, and in print that someone should consolidate all the Airstream maintenance, restoration advice, safety tips, etc., and put it between two covers and sell it.

[Denis4x4]

People in the Save Wally contingent seem to have reading comprehension problems. I did not advocate a name change, only wondered out loud what Wally might think of the issue. Quite frankly, I have a great deal of admiration for his promotional skills. That said, the WBCCI is still a promotional tool for Thor with little or any financial investment on their part.

Quite frankly, combining Wally Byam with AirStream would be a fitting tribute to the guy that started both organizations.

Finally, the strident additude of some of the WBCCI members is probably one of the reasons that membership is not growing in relation to the number of units sold.


This might be a good string to close before somebody gets hurt beating a dead horse!

[scottanlily]

Hello ,

My own view of this issue is that the history of airstream and wally Byam
is just a part of the whole allure of the vintage airstream for alot of folks.
The people that were involved in the caravans and rallys ,the way of life.
See More Do More Live More (wally byam) in an airstream ..was the idea.
So there is a connection with the man and the machine and many do not want to dissolve the two ,and so the desire to keep it together is important .Wally certainly was an idealist and wanted the airstream to be
more than just another trailer ,and its an icon today .Today,s world definately
has changed from the past and many want the the airstream experience
so the popularity is strong. It is fitting to continue to recognize Wally Byam
for his airstream trailer and his successes with it ,after all are we not all
benefitting from him right now? Each of us owning an airstream ? No he didn't
walk on water for sure ,but he did get airstream a legacy and a following
that no other travel trailer company could ever imagine .I myself am not
going to mix business politics in here as Im sure there were some as there
are in any company for alot of reasons .Frankly ,Im not interested in any of that .the fact of the matter is WBCCI is airstream they started together
and so it seems logical that they stay that way .Im enjoying my 60 trdwnd
immensly and thank Wally byam for it .

Scott

[roamingwesty]

Originally Posted by scottanlily

Hello ,

My own view of this issue is that the history of airstream and wally Byam
is just a part of the whole allure of the vintage airstream for alot of folks.
The people that were involved in the caravans and rallys ,the way of life.
See More Do More Live More (wally byam) in an airstream ..was the idea.
So there is a connection with the man and the machine and many do not want to dissolve the two ,and so the desire to keep it together is important .Wally certainly was an idealist and wanted the airstream to be
more than just another trailer ,and its an icon today .Today,s world definately
has changed from the past and many want the the airstream experience
so the popularity is strong. It is fitting to continue to recognize Wally Byam
for his airstream trailer and his successes with it ,after all are we not all
benefitting from him right now? Each of us owning an airstream ? No he didn't
walk on water for sure ,but he did get airstream a legacy and a following
that no other travel trailer company could ever imagine .I myself am not
going to mix business politics in here as Im sure there were some as there
are in any company for alot of reasons .Frankly ,Im not interested in any of that .the fact of the matter is WBCCI is airstream they started together
and so it seems logical that they stay that way .Im enjoying my 60 trdwnd
immensly and thank Wally byam for it .

Scott

Well I wish I was eloquent like that. That's exactly how I feel.

Our ownership of the trailer is not even a year long. As soon as we became proud owners we looked for comradery. WBCCI was a natural direction. Then we saw movement to distinguish the club from the man. Just kinda wierd for us, to see resentment in one's own history and origin so strong to want to re-write it.

Then I researched a little more and found that the local chapter's usual destinations are not where we'd like to tow our trailer to. We don't want to see less or see the same, yearly. We want to see more. I want my young kids to see more with us.

Originally Posted by Denis4x4

As soon as the FCU is chartered, I'll send in my application for membership.

I'm right behind you in the line.

Don't mean to sidetrack the topic, so to get back to it: I'll have to find a copy of that book too.

Ricky

[Goin camping]

Easy to do he is Airforums #1. AndyR is #2.

If you get a reply...

[streamer23]

Originally Posted by Goin camping

Easy to do he is Airforums #1. AndyR is #2.

If you get a reply...

Wally's been saved.

[Buttercup]

I also have no comprehension problems either, thank you very much. But have you thought of this.... Wally was a promotional genius I will agree. But do you assume that he missed the boat when the name WBCCI was chosen in the first place? Yes his sister created the club name but he could have modified that name if he REALLY wanted to promote his product, but that isn't what he really wanted. Do you think he actually made a simple mistake?

No he knew where it was appropriate and not appropriate to advertise.

I think that the name of the club is no accident. 51 year old mistake indeed!!!!

[wheel interested]

The name has more to do with tradition for me. For 50 years it has stood the test of time. I like belonging to a club with such longievity and history. It is like a historical land mark of sorts. Sure they are renaming stadiums to the highest bidding sponsor. There's where I think progress has interferred with historical value. That's my position from this person in the Save Wally contingent.