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IdahoMatt · 03-04-2008, 09:43 AM

I think that this is 1952 Cruisette. Its 15 feet long and the serial # is 8057.

Can anyone tell me anything about it???

From what I've seen online, the people I bought it from changed a lot inside. We are looking for replacements parts and that has proven to be impossible. I will try to answer any questions about it that anyone has, but I'm excited to restore this little gem. There has been quite abit of work done inside that I know of. They ripped up and changed the floor, repainted, and the previous owner put in an area up front for a bathroom...I think. Thanks for looking!!!! I put the pictures 27 pictures online Picasa Web Albums - Matt - 1952 Airstrea...

Mel · 03-04-2008, 09:53 AM

Hi Matt,

Have you checked out the Vintage Airstream archives?

IdahoMatt · 03-04-2008, 10:19 AM

That has alot of great information. So it says that "the outside was painted all white above the beltline". What does that mean? Its also said that the s/n range from 8000 to 8075, I'm taking that to mean that only 75 were made between 1951 and 1952? Thanks!

InsideOut · 03-04-2008, 10:44 AM

I've heard Fred Coldwell talk about these little Cruisettes at many of our vintage rallies. From what I recall, they (and some of the other short trailers like Bambis & Caravels) were made once a year in the winter months because they were shorter and could be built all inside the warehouse in inclimate weather. They were also made in smaller numbers and once they were "sld out" for the year, it wouldn't be until they made more next year that they could be had.

The Cruisttes were partially painted (above the beltline - which is where the straight and the curved/segmented parts of the trailer come together) and didn't have luxury amenities like bathrooms. They were intended for the entry level weekender much like the Base Camp or Safari Sport are today. They were less expensive and lighter weight, so light weight they don't have or need brakes. I have heard (not sure - maybe you can clarify on yours) that the domed end panels may have only been a single thickness of aluminum instead of the double wall construction. They were painted in an effort to make them cooler as I believe all of them were built in CA so desert camping was likely.

Here are a document from the 50's about them from the Vintage Airstream Club website.

'51 Cruisette Advertisement Brochure

Enjoy! I'm sure Fred will chime in here and clarify any of my misrecollections...

Shari

Fyrzowt · 03-04-2008, 01:58 PM

FWIW, there is currently a Cruisette in the forum classifieds. Nope, not mine.
Dave

Airstream Trailer & Motorhome Classifieds - 1951 Airstream Cruisette - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

byamcaravanner · 03-04-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fyrzowt

FWIW, there is currently a Cruisette in the forum classifieds.

...and HERE is another '52 Cruisette currently for sale. The listing says "smallest Airstream ever made" Seems perfect for a light weight shell off restoration.

InsideOut · 03-04-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byamcaravanner

...and HERE is another '52 Cruisette currently for sale. The listing says "smallest Airstream ever made" Seems perfect for a light weight shell off restoration.

That one listed kinda confirms what I had heard...

"Earlier Cruisettes had no inner panels on the endcaps. This 1952 has them. The earlier ones also were painted white outside midpoint on up to deflect the desert heat."

Shari

byamcaravanner · 03-04-2008, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

That one listed kinda confirms what I had heard...

"Earlier Cruisettes had no inner panels on the endcaps. This 1952 has them. The earlier ones also were painted white outside midpoint on up to deflect the desert heat."

Shari

Shari,

Thanks for your earlier post, I seem to be fascinated by the trailers with unique features and history. It's also interesting that three of these would present themselves all at the same time. All interesting is that both Matt's and the one I linked are from Idaho. There must be some sort of Cosmic Aluminum Convergence.

InsideOut · 03-04-2008, 04:31 PM

Kinda like this?

Shari

byamcaravanner · 03-04-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Kinda like this?

That Aluminum sucking Black hole must have momentarily reversed it's gravitational pull as it passed over Idaho and spat out a few missing Cruisettes.

safari57 · 03-04-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Kinda like this?

Shari

Sort of reminds me of my Airstream versus my wallet when I was redoing it. A large black hole surrounded by aluminum sucking money constantly out of my wallet any time I walked past it.

Barry

InsideOut · 03-04-2008, 06:12 PM

Yeah, I call that picture of Maxwell "the black hole of time while polishing"...same thing!

Birdie is the black hole of Shari's purse!

Shari

IdahoMatt · 03-04-2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Here are a document from the 50's about them from the Vintage Airstream Club website.

'51 Cruisette Advertisement Brochure

Enjoy! I'm sure Fred will chime in here and clarify any of my misrecollections...

Shari

Shari-

Thanks for the Brochure!!! Seeing that made my day. I can't wait to come to a rally somewhere out west and have a good time. Is it at all possible to get any replacement parts? I want to get replacement door latches but I think I'm going to have them machined at a metal shop.

Thanks,
Matt

byamcaravanner · 03-04-2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdahoMatt

Is it at all possible to get any replacement parts? I want to get replacement door latches but I think I'm going to have them machined at a metal shop.

Matt,

Post some good pictures of the parts you are looking for and also check with Vintage Trailer Supply. If they do not have them, they may be able to point you in the right direction. Failing that, there are vintage hardware companies like HERE that will have something that would be period correct.

safari57 · 03-04-2008, 08:06 PM

Matt

As for rallies out west you have the rally of all rallies coming up - the WBCCI International in Bozeman, MT the latter part of June/early July. There's lots of info on it on the forum.

Also, the Airforums has a very active WA/OR group who rally frequently although I think they hang out mostly toward the coast so a bit of a hike for you, but still not too bad. Also, the CO group, both WBCCI and Airforums folks are a great group to get involved with. Not sure which way is easier for you, but I suspect it's the WA/OR folks.

Check out the Rally section for more info on what's coming up. Many people use their trailers while they are under construction and gain a lot of knowledge and advice from others at the rallies on what works, what you may want to avoid, and of course we are all chock full of suggestions.

Neat trailer you have. That would be a "keeper" for sure, even if you determine you need a larger one down the road for longer camping periods. You would be hard pressed to find a replacement.

It will be fun watching you transform it into your own unit. It's interesting how so many Airstreams can all look so different just based on the owners personal touches.

Keep posting pictures as you discover things.

On another note my buddy is going to be in Boise the Thursday before Good Friday picking up the '53 Flying Cloud he bought off of Craig's List. It's a ten hour travel time trek from Langley, BC to Boise.

Also, there's a Tin Can Tourists (TCT) rally in Deming, WA the 16th of August that has several forums members in attendance. It's a great place to meet people, get ideas, and get a sense of just how crazy we all are.

Barry

IdahoMatt · 03-05-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byamcaravanner

Matt,

Post some good pictures of the parts you are looking for and also check with Vintage Trailer Supply. If they do not have them, they may be able to point you in the right direction. Failing that, there are vintage hardware companies like HERE that will have something that would be period correct.

Here is a good picture of the type of latch im looking for. Its the latch that keeps the screen door shut. The vintage trailer supply site has some great stuff and I can already see my bank account going down

Here is the direct link to the door latch pic Picasa Web Albums - Matt - 1952 Airstrea...
Thanks!
Matt

safari57 · 03-05-2008, 07:06 PM

Matt

You can pick up brass ones, called sash locks if I remember right, at most hardware stores. Paint them silver or leave them brass for now while you keep looking for silver/pot metal ones but in the meantime you have a proper latch to keep the screen door closed.

They are virtually identical except the color is wrong. I think the screw holes are even exactly the same.

Barry

byamcaravanner · 03-05-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdahoMatt

It's the latch that keeps the screen door shut.

This one is from the site I linked...close enough?

safari57 · 03-06-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byamcaravanner

This one is from the site I linked...close enough?

YOU are good.

Barry

IdahoMatt · 03-06-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byamcaravanner

This one is from the site I linked...close enough?

WOW is right. That is exactly what i need. Only problem is I couldn't find it on either of the sites you linked, could you post the direct link? Thanks!!!