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lwebb · 11-08-2007, 07:10 PM

I hope posting this doesn't break any rules but I just came across a "Wally Byam Holiday" on EBay. WBCCI considers them an Airstream. Until today, I thought I owned the only two that existed. This one is in Colorado. Don't know the person selling it but would love for it to land in a good home. I'm restoring my 55, the newer of my two and having another person restoring one would be a great resource.
the URL is:
eBay Motors: 1954 WALLY BYAM 15 FOOT TRAVEL TRAILER (item 270185143447 end time Nov-15-07 10:33:41 PST)

So as far as anyone knows, there are now three of these in existence!

drag'nwagon · 11-08-2007, 07:25 PM

Lanny,

Very cool trailors, that I did not know existed. I am surprised that you were lucky enough to get two of them. PLease post soem pictures here of yours I am sure there are several people that would like to see them.

lwebb · 11-08-2007, 07:39 PM

Dave, It was a real fluke. I found my first one in the back woods of central Florida, I guess four years ago now. It took me almost a year to track down anyone that had even heard of one. The VAC, TCT even Airstream had never seen one or knew they existed. It's a great little trailer. A couple years ago now I was on Ebay looking at older campers killing time waiting on an auction to end for a bike part for my son and saw another Holiday in NY. I live in Georgia. I bid at the last minute and won! Long road trip to get it but I was grinning all the way. It was just really cool owning the only two. I started renovation on the 55 a year ago but had to stop because of a back operation. I have only just now started back. I have a web site with pictures of my work so far if you're interested. Untitled Document
I can't wait to finish and attend my first WBCCI rally!
lanny

Ganglin · 11-08-2007, 07:45 PM

There was a post not long ago from someone else who said they had one of these - along with a standard Airstream. Hope they see your post so you'll have a renovation buddy.

drag'nwagon · 11-08-2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwebb

Dave, It was a real fluke. I found my first one in the back woods of central Florida, I guess four years ago now. It took me almost a year to track down anyone that had even heard of one. The VAC, TCT even Airstream had never seen one or knew they existed. It's a great little trailer. A couple years ago now I was on Ebay looking at older campers killing time waiting on an auction to end for a bike part for my son and saw another Holiday in NY. I live in Georgia. I bid at the last minute and won! Long road trip to get it but I was grinning all the way. It was just really cool owning the only two. I started renovation on the 55 a year ago but had to stop because of a back operation. I have only just now started back. I have a web site with pictures of my work so far if you're interested. Untitled Document
I can't wait to finish and attend my first WBCCI rally!
lanny

Lanny,

If no body knew about them including Airstream...where were they built? As for rallying I am quite positive that you be welcomed to show anywhere with one of your trailers.

rgesch · 11-08-2007, 07:46 PM

They were built at Airstream in Ohio.

Looks like RJ may have to update his database. He has WB Holiday serial numbers ending at 1100. This one looks like #1107. Who would have guessed?

wheel interested · 11-08-2007, 08:27 PM

Is that a fresh water reservoir by the sink? Any information about that toilet? Why does the door have a panel that hinges upward?

lwebb · 11-08-2007, 08:34 PM

Dave, They were built at the Jackson, Ohio plant. Don't know why the current folks at Airstream had not heard of them but Al Hasselbart spoke with Bud Cooper founder of the Antique Airstream Club who wrote a book on Wally. Bud Cooper was very familiar with the Holiday and nearly owned one when new. It was a small production prototype model he thought only made in 1954. The test failed and they were never put into real market production. The prototype unit was built by a Jack Oakley and John Taylor for Wally.
The WBCCi lists them on their acceptable Airstream list, I'm a member so I hope I won't get turned away at a WBCCI rally.
The Vintage Airstream Club Photo archives has both my Holidays listed, one under 53, one 55. The dates are guesses but the Article on my Holidays in the Spring 06 issue of Airstream Life Magazine lists the dates as 53-55.

lwebb · 11-08-2007, 08:43 PM

Carol, Neither of mine have that. I'm thinking it might be some kind of water heater but I have an original brochure and a water heater isn't listed as an option. You can see pictures of my 55 on my web site lwebb.myweb.uga.edu it's pretty much identical to the one on Ebay.

Both of mine have the marine toilet, an option. My 53/54 has a stainless water tank. it was also an option.

The door has a small door with screen behind so you can have ventilation without leaving the door open.
lanny

wheel interested · 11-08-2007, 09:07 PM

Lanny that's a great web site. Very thorough. Thanks for all the details. Nice restoration. It looks great. I especially liked the letter to dealers, 100 dollars a foot. w)

oilstain · 11-08-2007, 09:55 PM

Hey guys
My name is Scotty. I'm selling that WB Holiday in Colorado. This trailer has been very hard to get info on, I knew it was rare but I didn't know just how rare........I would keep it in my collection but I would only buff it out only to put it away for another thirty years. It's in beautiful shape....living in the dry mountain air has keep it in a time warp....It's for sale........Scotty 970-618-4345

Silverhobby · 11-09-2007, 06:19 AM

The Holiday is sure a neat trailer to see listed here on the FORUM. I hope the person that gets the eBay trailer is a fanatic for sure.

Ganglin · 03-05-2012, 10:22 AM

Reviving an old thread. Is this still one of the three known to exist or a new one for the list...

1954 Wally Byam Holiday Travel Trailer - $16000 (Knoxville TN)

Date: 2012-03-04, 6:56PM EST
Reply to: cfvzk-2884734446@sale.craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

Vintage 1954 Wally Byam holiday camper, known as the (canned ham) an exciting part of history!!!Wally Byam was the inventor/creator of the Airstream camper trailer...This camper is in very good condition, and has been in our family since it was purchased new in 1954...Buyer is responsible for all cost of the transportation to their location...Please call 865-202-7460

Location: Knoxville TN
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 2884734446

lwebb · 03-05-2012, 11:00 AM

It's a new one to the list. Serial number 1060 which puts it older than my 1094. The owner Jim Ledford says he bought it from a professor at the University of Georgia 15 to 20 years ago. That's before I found mine in 03. Oddly enough I'm a professor at the University of GA?! Jim says he can't remember the name of the guy he bought it from. I own 2. The newer one is 1135 inspire of the fact RJ lists the last one at 1100.
Jim says this has been in storage and never leaked. I'm floored it's never leaked. I've never seen a ham can that didn't leak sometime over a 50 year period!
So I think there are 8 now. There was a post several years ago with a fellow in SC with a 20 foot one. I tried to find him but to no avail.

Lanny

Skatiero · 03-05-2012, 04:51 PM

Lanny, we loved seeing yours at falluminum. Are you tempted to add a third to your collection? The one in tn looks pretty neat!

lwebb · 03-05-2012, 05:10 PM

Hey thanks, fallaluminum is always a highlight.
Man I wish I had a place to store it. Although $16,000 unrestored is beyond my reach. I still haven't started the older of my two. I finally finished the new one you saw and entered it in the 92 TCT convention southeastern concours. Man I won best of show! I could't believe it.
I sho be so proud ah me!

I'm headed to the TCT spring gathering at camp Daerborn Mich. I want to try the national coucours. I'm afraid this slight notoriety may have gone to my head.

Man I'm going to need a second mortgage just to cover the gas!

sobephil · 06-12-2015, 08:03 PM

I have a Holiday trailer. How many exist at this point that we know about?

kb2tha · 08-03-2017, 03:37 PM

I have Holiday #1117 here in Delaware County NY. Putting it in the garage this winter to start the restoration. In need of one of the 110 wall lights that mounts on the end wall of the wardrobe cabinet. There is also another presently in Grand Gorge, NY in very rough condition FS. Contact me directly at ken.kb2tha@gmail.com for details if interested. I have some pictures of it as well. Will not post them here but will send them by email request. #1100 is also here in NY.

Would like to get a database started with ID #, name and location.

dededirl64 · 11-02-2018, 11:14 PM

I just bought a 1955 Holiday trailer, and I was wondering how I can find out if its one of the rare ones?

66Overlander · 07-27-2023, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dededirl64

I just bought a 1955 Holiday trailer, and I was wondering how I can find out if its one of the rare ones?

Hi dededirl64,
I am starting to create a registry of all know still existing Wally Byam's Holiday trailers, by serial number. Do you still have yours? Are you willing to share some photos and it's serial number? Thanks in advance.