Research by WBCCI Number?

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by MarkR

Hi, I have a 1960 Ohio Built Tradewind.
The VIN is 240301T
The Original Owner's name (on the Warranty Card) was S. B. Torrence from Sandusky, OH.
The Ghost "WBBCI" Number is: 866

Do your files concur? Or give any additional info . . . or additional History?
Thanks!
MarkR

Hi Mark,
Thanks for your patience. I can't tell much from the VIN except to confirm your trailer is a 1960 Tradewind Twin built in Ohio.

The WBCCI #866 is a low number that should have been first assigned in 1957, obviously before your Tradewind was built, although it does not show up in a Directory until 1958. This number has been reserved for special purposes since about 1970, so it was not reassigned after that year, but the then current members could keep it as long as they remained in the club. Here is how #866 has been assigned in the WBCCI Membership Directories over the years:
1958-65: Arthur R. & Pearl M. Kemp, Dayton, OH, no caravans.
1966-86: Howard & Isabelle Putnam, Alger, OH (1966) nd Kenton, OH (1986), no caravans. They appear to move from Alger to Kenton some time in the 1970's but I did not narrow down the exact year.
1987+: Unassigned.

Also, there was no S.B. Torrence listed in any WBCCI Membership Directory in 1960 or the few years afterward that I checked.

So, what can we tell from this information?

First, The original owner did not join the club.

Second, we can tell that either or both of the Kemps and Putnams owned your 1960 Tradewind since they are the only two couples to have been assigned #866, but we cannot tell for sure which one(s). However, since the original owners and both of the Kemps and Putnams are from Ohio, it is possible all three owned your Tradewind.

Third, the Kemps joined the club before your Tradewind was built, so they would have had to trade up from an earlier Airstream to your 1960 Tradewind at some point, which again seems possible because both they and the original owner were from Ohio.

Fourth, it is likely the Kemps sold an Airstream to the Putnams, because they are both from Ohio and because there was no unassigned year in between the assignments, which generally means the Kemps released their number for reuse because they had no intention of renewing their membership. Most often this occurs when an Airstream is sold. They might have still owned your Tradwind at this time, or they could have upgraded to another Airstream after your Tradwind, we have no way of knowing, but this does raise the possibility that the Kemps sold your Tradewind to the Putnams.

Fifth, it remains possible that the Kemps never owned your Tradewind, but the Putnams did. While possible, this seems less likely than your Tradewind passing down from Torrence to Kemp to Putnam.

Well, that's about all I can tell. Enjoy that Tradewind!

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by FCStreamer

Hi there, is there any record of #4850?

Thanks!

#4850 was first assigned in 1961 and may have been assigned multiple times over the years. Due to the research time involved, I will only look it up if information is provided about the year of Airstream it is found on. For example, it this number is on a 1970's Airstream, there is little reason to take the time to research to whom it may have been assigned in the 1960s. I hope you understand.

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Thiss

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me more about big red number 8815?

Thanks!

Similar to my last comment, I would be happy to look up the Membership Directory information if you confirm the year of the Airstream that this number is on. I don't want to assume it is on your 1971 Overlander, because #8815 was first assigned in 1963, long before it was built. Checking old Membership Directories is time consuming, so I wish to make sure I am as efficient as possible when doing lookups. I hope you understand.

[Thiss]

Joe,

Sorry for being rude. I didn't read earlier posts with your research info requests. Yes, the number is on my 71 Overlander and the unit was originally owned by folks from Minnesota.

[jimbro]

Hi Joe,

Do you show anything for 15901? A 1985 325 Motorhome.

Thanks,

Jim

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by Jimbcole

1649 was assigned to Wayne and Lillie Longfellow of Pasedena, Calif. in the 1966 directory.

Back in post 550 (I think) I learned that Wayne and Lillie Longfellow of Pasedena, CA had our WBCCI numbers before we did. The NEU is having its 60th birthday this year and there will be people sharing stories from its origins. Made me wonder what WBCCI unit the Longfellows belonged to...

I've never been able to find much additional information on them except this information about their passing (she in 1973, he in 1980).

Wondering if there's anyone in CA who remembers this family? I'd love to learn more about them and their travels in their AS (whatever it was).

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Thiss

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me more about big red number 8815?

Thanks!

Since you have confirmed this number is on your 1971 Overlander, I will research #8815 from 1970 onward. Here is how #8815 has been assigned from 1079 onward:

1970: Directory published before your Airstream was built. Assigned to a couple named Williams. Did not look up their details or look further back.
1971: Unassigned.
1972-79: Parker & Irma Van Dien, Union, NJ (1972), Melbourne, FL 1979 (Irma only), no caravans. In 1979 Irma's address appeared to be at the Port of Call Airstream Park.
1980-87: Clifford & Wanetta Furton, Melbourne, FL 1980), Lake Park, FL (1987), no caravans.
1988-89: Unassigned.
1990-2004: Leroy & Naomi Jasmer, Willmar, MN, caravan, 226 - Eastern Canada Holiday 1995, and unit caravans U53, U194, U259, U293.
2005+: Unassigned (only checked a few, though).

So what can we tell from this? First, given that you live in Oregon and none of the previous assignee's were in or near Oregon, proximity is not a significant help.

Next, since #8815 was unassigned in 1970 and then reassigned in 1972, this is very appropriate for a 1971 Airstream that could have been bought new in 1971 after the 1971 Directory was published in January 1971. This makes it very reasonable that the Van Diem's may have owned your 1971 Overlander.

Then, given that there was no unassigned year between the Van Diems and the Furtons, and given that both lived in Melbourne, FL at the time, it seems likely that the Van Diem's sold their Airstream (whatever it was) to the Furtons.

Finally, Given the two unassigned years between the Furtons and the Jasmers and the multi state distance, it is much less likely that the Furton's sold their Airstream to the Jasmers. Most likely the Jasmers received #8815 as a random reassign of an unused number.

So, at least one of these three couples must have owned your Airstream. My best guess is that the Van Diem's and Furtons likely owned your 1971 Overlander, but not the Jasmers. It is less likely that either all three couples owned it or that only the Jasmers owned it. If you got any old paperwork, or found any old dealer decals on it, that might help you decide which state your Overlander may have previously resided in which could help you make a better guess as to who may have owned it.

If this evidence suggests the Jasmers may owned your Overlander, they may have taken it on the noted caravans.

That's all I got. Make some memories of your own in it!

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by jimbro

Hi Joe,

Do you show anything for 15901? A 1985 325 Motorhome.

Thanks,

Jim

Hi Jim,
#15901 was first assigned in 1967 well before your 1985 Airstream MH was made. There has been a single couple that were assigned #15901 from 1976 to 2014: Thomas J & Joan Hancock of Ohio. I am not listing their city because of how recently they were members. Contact me via email of you need would like that detail. In any case, Ohio is quite a distance from Alberta, so who knows when or how your Airstream made it's way from the Hancocks to you.

Because they were already members before your 1985 MH was built, the Hancocks must have upgraded to it at some time during their membership, quite possibly when it was new in 1985. It is also possible that they upgraded to something else newer in the years that followed, but we have no way of knowing for sure because the club does not keep records of Airstreams owned by members. The Hancocks are not listed as participating on any numbered caravans.

That's all I can turn up. Enjoy that rare Airstream Classic motor home!

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

Back in post 550 (I think) I learned that Wayne and Lillie Longfellow of Pasedena, CA had our WBCCI numbers before we did. The NEU is having its 60th birthday this year and there will be people sharing stories from its origins. Made me wonder what WBCCI unit the Longfellows belonged to...

I've never been able to find much additional information on them except this information about their passing (she in 1973, he in 1980).

Wondering if there's anyone in CA who remembers this family? I'd love to learn more about them and their travels in their AS (whatever it was).

Steve & Sue,
The information you were previously provided about your WBCCI number 1649 and the Lonfellows was incomplete. You can see the article I had published in the May 2016 WBCCI Blue Beret magazine for a little more detail on the history of WBCCI numbers in general, but the short answer is that #1649 was first assigned in 1958 and interestingly, it was assigned to Wayne & Lillie Longfellow of Pasedena, CA at that time. The Longfellows were last listed in the 1971 Membership Directory, at which time they were still in Pasedena and were credited with only a single caravan: 18 - Western Canada Summer 1958.

#1649 was then unassigned in 1972 before being reassigned in 1973 to Horace & Catherine Gorton of Prairie Village, KS in 1973. A number as low as 1649 may have been reassigned several times since 1973, although I did not check. Given that you do not own a vintage Airstream that bears this number, but were yourself just randomly reassigned 1649 when you joined the club, there is little value in searching the complete assignment history of #1649.

It is unfortunate that unit numbers were not listed for members until the 1975 Directory. The very first unit was created in (in California) November 1955, just months after WBCCI was formed in August 1955. By 1971, the last year the Longfellows were in the club, there were 14 units in California alone. I even searched the Membership Directory Unit Officer listings for the years that the Longfellows were in WBCCI hoping for a match with one of the California units, but did not find anything. Apparently, the Longfellows were never officers in whatever unit they belonged to. Thus I have unfortunately exhausted my resources to possibly determine the Longfellows unit.

Good Luck with your search!

[SteveSueMac]

Thanks Joe! What great info. Yes, I was just randomly assigned these numbers as a new member with a new trailer so my interest was in the people who had the number, not the history of the trailer.

I'd still love to find some information about the Longfellows but there isn't much available other than what I've already shared.

Thanks so much for the additional insights!

[FCStreamer]

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

#4850 was first assigned in 1961 and may have been assigned multiple times over the years. Due to the research time involved, I will only look it up if information is provided about the year of Airstream it is found on. For example, it this number is on a 1970's Airstream, there is little reason to take the time to research to whom it may have been assigned in the 1960s. I hope you understand.

Understood. Thanks Joe. The number is currently on a 2014 Flying Cloud, and I know who that one belongs to.

Thanks!

[jimbro]

Hi Joe,

Thank you for the info on 15901. I purchased the MH in Ohio November 2015 and brought it back to Alberta Canada. It had been in storage for 5+ years and I am in the process of putting it back into travel condition.

Jim

[Thiss]

I am pretty confident that the Jasmers had my unit. There was a very distinct and large Minnesota decal on both side of the unit. I found his obituary, and it seems that he and I shared a common profession as LA teachers

http://www.startribune.com/obituarie...asmer,-leroy-a

He also retired the year I was born.

There are some other ghost numbers that I can not make out too. How it got from MN to WA, where we bought it, I will never known. I do sure plan to make many new memories. Since 8815 is available, I will also strongly consider joining the WBCCI.

Best regards!

Mike

[TOPORANGER]

Hi Joe

I am a new AS owner going though the learning and updating process.

I purchased my1991 AS Excella 25 vin 1STGEAJ26MJ508142 from Janice and Phil Osborn in California.

There is a dealer's plague from Jack and Patty Fast's Cascade Trailer Sales, Eugene Oregon.

It has ghost number 2873

I have not joined WBCCI yet, as I have been spending heavily on getting it set up to my liking. Still have to do axles and tires, which is a big hit for me. Once the rig is ready to hit the road I will join, my local chapter.

Can you help with ownership history of this unit?

Thank You

Bob

[xrvr]

Remember the number is assigned to the owner not the trailer. Someone will help you out.

[Thiss]

Originally Posted by TOPORANGER

There is a dealer's plague from Jack and Patty Fast's Cascade Trailer Sales, Eugene, Oregon

Hi,

I can't help you with the ghost numbers, but being from Oregon, and never having heard of the dealership (Sutton RV is now in Eugene), I had to search it.

I found an ad from a 1971 Pendleton newspaper that they ran.

Also, I came across this postcard for sale:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Postcard-Jack-...-/121529515210

I have no stake in the sale of the postcard, I just thought it was cool. What a cool name for a dealership! I hope the Fasts were able to retire and tow their own unit around for many years.

Happy restoring and I hope you have her on the road hitched up, without a "hitch" soon!

Cheers!

Mike

[TOPORANGER]

Originally Posted by avionstream

Remember the number is assigned to the owner not the trailer. Someone will help you out.

Thanks, I am such a novice, I did not even know that!!

[TOPORANGER]

Yesterday I had found an obituary for Jack Fast. Jack died Oct. 10, 2000. Patti died in 1999

He had a degree in Geology from Penn State and served in the 10th Mountain Division during WWII 1942-1945.

Here is a link to the obituary in the Eugene Register from Oct 15 2000

https://news.google.com/newspapers?n...,4329979&hl=en

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by TOPORANGER

Hi Joe

I am a new AS owner going though the learning and updating process.

I purchased my1991 AS Excella 25 vin 1STGEAJ26MJ508142 from Janice and Phil Osborn in California.

There is a dealer's plague from Jack and Patty Fast's Cascade Trailer Sales, Eugene Oregon.

It has ghost number 2873

I have not joined WBCCI yet, as I have been spending heavily on getting it set up to my liking. Still have to do axles and tires, which is a big hit for me. Once the rig is ready to hit the road I will join, my local chapter.

Can you help with ownership history of this unit?

Thank You

Bob

Hi Bob,
The club does not keep records of the Airstreams owned by members, so I cannot provide anything definite. What I can do, though is provide some information about who was assigned the number 2873 since your 1991 Airstream was built. At least one of those previously owned you Airstream. According to WBCCI Membership Directories, #2873 has been assigned as follows since 1991:
1991: Unassigned.
1992-97: Steve & Jan Mondl, Barberton, OH, no caravans.
1998-2001: Unassigned.
2002: Jeoffrey & Cheryl Feil-Morgan, Bradenton, FL, no caravans.
2003: Unassigned.
2004-05: Phil and Jan Osborn, Yrenko, CA, no caravans.
2006-07: Unassigned.
2008-Current: Assigned to a current club member from Louisiana.

From this information we can see that the Osborns were the ones to be club members in 2004 & 2005 while they owned your Airstream. It is unlikely that any of the other couples I mentioned owned it, given the geographic distances involved and the periods of unassignment before reassignment. That said, given that #2873 was unassigned in 1991, but was then assigned in 1992 to the Mondl's that would have joined during 1991 and that may have joined with a brand new 1991 Airstream at that time, if it could be established that the Osborns were not the first owner, it might be possible that the Mondl's also owned it. A long shot, but not impossible.

Get out and use that Airstream - they are best when being used! We will welcome you to the club when you are ready to join, but unfortunately #2873 is currently used. You should be able to get something close if you desire . . . or maybe something like 12873.

[TOPORANGER]

Thank You Joe for taking the time and making the effort to respond to my question. I really appreciate it.

You have definitely increased my desire to join WBCCI

Bob