Canned hams?

[maxandgeorgia]

I am following up on a local ad for a 1960 Airstream Camper, 14'. Sounds funny to me. First of all, I was unaware of anything this small in the year 1960. When I called, the owner said it was the canned ham shape, that nothing on the trailer said Airstream, but that when he had the VIN number checked at a local RV dealer, he was told it was an Airsteam made camper. ?? Claims it is leak free and in excellent condition. Now I am hooked by curiosity, so I'm sure to go look at it, but thought I'd check here on the way. Does any of this make sense to someone on the forum, or am I just dealing with an owner who calls anything aluminum an Airstream?

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by maxandgeorgia

I am following up on a local ad for a 1960 Airstream Camper, 14'. Sounds funny to me. First of all, I was unaware of anything this small in the year 1960. When I called, the owner said it was the canned ham shape, that nothing on the trailer said Airstream, but that when he had the VIN number checked at a local RV dealer, he was told it was an Airsteam made camper. ?? Claims it is leak free and in excellent condition. Now I am hooked by curiosity, so I'm sure to go look at it, but thought I'd check here on the way. Does any of this make sense to someone on the forum, or am I just dealing with an owner who calls anything aluminum an Airstream?

Could that be a Holiday? IIRC they only made them for part of one year at the Ohio plant during start up. They are a "canned ham" camper. And fairly rare too.

Aaron

[norbert]

now im curious....dont forget your camera...
norby

[SilverRanger]

Let's hope they got the date wrong. This is reportedly the first Airstream in 1932. They didn't get aerodynamic until 1936.

[rluhr]

I hear a lot of these types of claims. Most of the time they turn out to be other brands.

Airstream didn't make a canned ham in 1960.

If the owner is that accurate about the age and model, imagine how reliable his claim about not leaking is...

[j54mark]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Could that be a Holiday? IIRC they only made them for part of one year at the Ohio plant during start up. They are a "canned ham" camper. And fairly rare too.

Aaron

Here are some pictures of the "Holiday": http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...53Holiday.html

Mark

[RichardT]

Sometimes Airstream is to trailers as Jucuzzi is to hot tubs.

[maxandgeorgia]

After going out to look at this anomaly, I am surely confused. Like I said above, maybe this owner calls anything aluminum an Airstream. The shape is that of the Holidayshown in the photo above. Small side windows were jalousy-style. Up front was a small dinette; past the door was a wooden wardrobe/drawer unit. No bath. The owner was right about it being 14', including the hitch. No tanks and the gas line was cut; 4 burner stove was not used. Under the counter was an ice chest style refrig, meant to house an ice block to drain outside. In the rear was a sofa/bed with the hardware and rigging above for a sling bunk. The ceiling around the vent showed water damage and when I pulled up the carpeting by the door, I could see the original small tile blocks, many loose and raised and shredded wood flooring was barely visible at the door threshold. When I looked under the front, past the hitch frame, I could see some rusted frame exposed and I was surprised to see wood just beyond. You mention above that the Holiday was made with wood frame. No belly covering. I found NO logo or brand identification anywhere on the trailer. I would think that if one had been on and removed, that a scar of some type would show. Could this have been a home made unit? It did not look "that" way, but seeing no sign of a brand insignia was strange. The exterior skin had no breaks and was the corrugated style, not smooth. The interior was done in wood, a tannish color. I was so distracted by other things that I did not notice if this was a varnish or paint surface. So, I don't know what I looked at. I am hitting myself in the head now because I left without my camera. Any ideas? Asking $800.

[Stefrobrts]

If it's cute, and you want a project, go for it. It doesn't have to be an Airstream to be a cool vintage trailer when you get done with it. What were your plans?

[maxandgeorgia]

Gifting one of my daughters who loves to camp, has a good friend who travels with her, and two dogs. She has borrowed our Airstream and loved it. If she were to get and fix up this unit, we'd borrow back in return when we want the freedom of Forest Service primitive camping out west. She is extremely handy but this unit is really on the small side and will require lots of revamping, probably including axle, frame and floor. She has the people around her with skills to do it. I'm not stuck on "Airstream" for a small older trailer, have looked at Avions, Cardinals, and Shastas. Maybe it will be gone tomorrow and no longer a possibility