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Silver Threads · 12-31-2006, 07:34 AM

clarification, my husband said they were red numbers. Guess Im color blind. I will try to get by there and write them down.

SwampBillies · 01-14-2007, 09:05 AM

We just purchased a 72 Sovereign with the numbers 15754 on it. Or at least they used to be. I can still see where they were. It needs quite a bit of work and we are total rookies. But my husband is handy and looking forward to the challenge. We bought it from a woman who had inherited it from her mother and could tell us virtually nothing. I have ordered the service manual and owners manual. I was hoping if I could track the numbers maybe I could find someone who knew something of the history of the trailer. Any help would be appreciated.

commander31 · 01-14-2007, 09:32 AM

Hi...

Well, I can be of a little help, but probably not too much.
I have two WBCCI Directories in my archives, one from 1973, and one from 1976.
These were my Grandfather's directories from back in the day, when he was an active Airstreamer and WBCCI member (#22425 1968-1976)

The number you are inquiring about (#15754) was issued to a Mr James M. Abbess, of Huntington, West Virginia, according to the 1973 WBCCI Directory.

Interestingly enough, though...by 1976, neither his name, or the number was listed. Hmmm.... either he let his membership lapse that year, or maybe he had already sold the trailer. A mystery on our hands....

I, too have a mystery of my own here ..in an effort to one day find my Grandfathers elusive 1969 23' Safari, it would have the "ghost numbers" (22425) on the trailer still... but no record of his VIN number exists in my archives, and the number was re-issued to a gentleman in New Hampshire in the very early 1980s. Soooooo.......kind of a "needle in a haystack" thing I have here....

Maybe you can check to see if this Mr. James Abbess' name appears in any later directories than 1976. call the WBCCI Headquarters in Jackson Center OH...they have most all the Directories going back to the late 1950s.

Unfortunately, this is all the help i can be. Hope it helps, even just a little bit!!!!

Scott Anderson
WBCCI #22426
(formerly #22425 1968-1976)

n7bdl · 01-14-2007, 05:21 PM

I have the following years from a friend if anyone needs them:
1968
1970
1982
1984
1985
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995 (2)

Terry

SwampBillies · 01-14-2007, 05:43 PM

commander31,

Yes, that little tidbit helps me alot! At least from a karma standpoint. You see, my husband and I are both from West Virginia. We have been hillbillies all our lives. When we moved to Florida, we said "How can we be HillBillies here? There are no hills!" So we decided we would just call ourselves SwampBillies instead. So it is so fitting that what appears to be the original owner was from back home in West Virginia also!

Lumatic · 01-14-2007, 05:57 PM

I have a copy of:
1. Wally Byam Caravanners and Club Members 1973
2 WBCCI New Mexico Unit Membership Roster and Directory 1973

streamer23 · 01-14-2007, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n7bdl

I have the following years from a friend if anyone needs them:
1968
1970
1982
1984
1985
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995 (2)

Terry

I would be interested in the 1968 or 1970

n7bdl · 01-14-2007, 06:34 PM

Mike........I'm interested in giving these to someone in the group to assemble a complete set for reference purposes. Sounds like you're that someone. PM me shipping info for the 68 & 70.

Terry

47WeeWind · 01-14-2007, 08:46 PM

Hi Terry:

The Vintage Airstream Club could use all the WBCCI Directories Streamer 23 has not requested. We are building a library of old Directories for research purposes. I have only been a member since 1999, so I don't have too many early Directories except for 1973 and 1974. I'll gladly reimburse you for all shipping costs to Denver, Colorado 80207. Please PM or email me for my complete mailing address. Thank you.

n7bdl · 01-14-2007, 09:02 PM

They're yours, Fred. Will send PM

Terry

66Overlander · 01-15-2007, 07:47 PM

I have been trying to put together a set of directories, too. If neither streamer23 or Fred need some of them, I'd be happy to pay shipping for any that I need. If any are "left over", let me know and I'll see if I need them (probably do - my set has more holes than actual issues, especially before 1990).

n7bdl · 01-15-2007, 08:15 PM

I have one extra 1995 if you need it.

Terry

streamer23 · 01-15-2007, 08:17 PM

Joe,I know of a member who had an extra 1989 directory if you need it.

66Overlander · 01-15-2007, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streamer23

Joe,I know of a member who had an extra 1989 directory if you need it.

Thanks, but 1989 is one of the few I actually have. Actually, 1981, 1988, and 1989 are the only ones I have before 1990. And now that I look at it, after 1990 is sparse, too. I have 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2001, and 2004-5-6-7. As I said, more holes than copies. I am interested in anything I don't already have.

streamer23 · 01-25-2007, 06:05 PM

A special post for a good deed done by a special forum member.

Today,I received in the mail a 1968,1970 and 1982 WBCCI directories from forum member n7bdl (Terry).I am truely grateful that you would take the time and effort to send them to me.It really means a lot as I've been trying to get these ones for years.Rest assured they will be put to good use and be treasured.It was a nice to receive them on my birthday.

This forum is such a special place and good deeds between forum members are commonplace.Thanks.

I have helped many forum members track some history for the 'big red numbers' on their trailers but I could only go back to 1984.
I now have the ability to track back even further,thanks to Terry.If anyone would like some more info don't hesitate to PM (Private Message) me.I enjoy doing it.

Tom Randall · 01-25-2007, 07:10 PM

streamer23.... I have a question in reference to value. I am NOT asking you to buy anything, but if I know someone that wants to sell a collection - what is a fair price? I explained that my knowledge on this was weak (at best

) but that I had an interest in obtaining them. However, I felt that the price would be relative to age..pre 1950, 1970, etc. Even possibly condition, but as far as I am concerned my interest was to establish a "fair" price. I have a project I want to do for my new "red numbers".

I would also be willing to create an online database with the info per number, when first issued, registration info etc. I have several domain names available and would be more than happy to donate the use of the site.

If you wish you may PM me with the price guess. Thanks!!

El Jefe · 02-23-2007, 01:36 PM

We just bought and brought our '54 Flying Cloud back to Texas from Calif. It is a very sweet trailer w/ the ghost numbers 5025 on the front and back. Does anyone have a directory w/ that number in it? Does it correspond w/ a '54 FC?

streamer23 · 02-23-2007, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Jefe

We just bought and brought our '54 Flying Cloud back to Texas from Calif. It is a very sweet trailer w/ the ghost numbers 5025 on the front and back. Does anyone have a directory w/ that number in it? Does it correspond w/ a '54 FC?

The ghost number you are referring to is a remnant of a Wally Byam Caravan Club International(WBCCI) membership number.These numbers are specific to the members and not the trailers.
I could give part of the history I have of that number if you are interested.If you have any information on when the previous owner of your trailer was a member of WBCCI the information I would be giving you would be more pertinent.
Sounds like you do have a sweet trailer.

**azflycaster** · 02-23-2007, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Jefe

We just bought and brought our '54 Flying Cloud back to Texas from Calif. It is a very sweet trailer w/ the ghost numbers 5025 on the front and back. Does anyone have a directory w/ that number in it? Does it correspond w/ a '54 FC?

5025 is a currently active number. It is assigned to someone in Georgia. The numbers are assigned to members not trailers / MHs. If the member gets a new trailer, the numbers would go to that trailer. A member with several trailers would use the same number on all the trailers. It is possible that the person listed in the current directory may have owned your trailer at one time.

commander31 · 02-23-2007, 03:02 PM

Well, I got out the two dusty old directories that I have had in the archives for over 30 yrs and found this out........

In the 1973 WBCCI Directory, there is no listing for #5025.
There is a #5024, and a #5026 listed, but that is all.

In the 1976 WBCCI Directory, under the #5025, there is a listing for a Mr John H. Brandt, of Shirley, Ark.

These are the only two old directories i have. You definitely need to find someone with a directory going back to the late fifties to have it do any good. All things considered, the best you will get will be a name, and an address.... I think it near impossible anyone would still be alive from back in those days.

Hope some of this helps...even a little bit!!