Old Caravan Photos

[bevman]

I'm trying to research the history of my '58 Flying Cloud (2252). I've found that it went on #48 1966 Alaska, #80 1971 Old World Europe, #O8 1977 Great Britain.

It would be great to get some copies of historic photos that show the trailer in some exotic location.

Any thoughts on how to research this?

[bevman]

On Thursday, I went to Alexander Valley, in Sonoma County, and dropped in on the old address of "Sherman and Alexandra Conover" where the previous owners of the Flying Cloud lived. No one was home, but I left a photo of the trailer with a hand-written note in their mailbox. I'm not hoping for much, but maybe.

Next, I went to the Healdsburg Historical Society and met up with Holly, the researcher. We looked at the microfilm records of the newspaper and found a mention of the Conovers having purchased 13 acres in 1959, planning on "living in their trailer while building their new home..."

During my visit, I met Susan Young Sheehy, daughter of vintner Robert Young (89). She was going to an historical society event that night and promised to ask her dad about the Conovers. Her aunt actually lived next door, so she was going to ask her as well.

Turns out, sadly, that no one remembered them, other than remembering that they once lived there. I guess they spent their time traveling in the Airstream rather than partying locally.

The newspaper article (attached) mentions two daughters, but googling them hasn't been productive.

Still hoping...

-Michael

[Silver Threads]

Very cool. Good luck in your search!

[bobkelly]

Michael----I have no experience in what you are doing, but here's a couple of ideas. Contact Pee Wee Schromborn on this forum. He is the son of Helen Byam, the lady who started the WBCCI for Wally. PeeWee traveled on many of these early Caravans and has an extensive photo library. He lives in the Prescott area in Arizona. Another source could be Fred Caldwell, the historian of the WBCCI Vintage Airstream Club (VAC). Be sure to try the WBCCI headquarters in Jackson Center, Ohio

Good luck in your quest.

[bevman]

Bob,
I've made a couple of different attempts to contact the WBCCI hq, and my emails get an automated response, but nothing beyond that. I'm thinking that they don't care about the history of Airstream, the main reason that we like them so much.

[streamer23]

Originally Posted by bevman

Bob,
I've made a couple of different attempts to contact the WBCCI hq, and my emails get an automated response, but nothing beyond that. I'm thinking that they don't care about the history of Airstream, the main reason that we like them so much.

Michael,you may want to try to contact the WBCCI Historian Loretta Moss.Her WBCCI number is 324 and her email is listed in the 2008 WBCCI Directory.
The previous WBCCI Historian, (Esther Garrison) had an extensive collection of old photos and memorabilia from the early days.These should have been passed on to Loretta when she took over as the clubs new historian.

Good luck in your search.