Would you give me some feedback on these photos ?

[Dreamland]

Greetings All ! My wife and I have have been studying these forums for months and are currently inspecting what may become our first Airstream. It is a 57 Flying Cloud.

Would someone experienced look at these few photos I took and give me your thoughts ? Just click the link to see them:

Flickr: Photos from joeyandtally

I took these photos of the belly skin which has opened up some revealing the frame, insulation, etc. The frame appears to have surface rust on the bottom but otherwise, from what I can see of it, seems in relatively good shape for a 50 year old. Floor seems solid except one small spot left of the entry door.

Those two long tubes underneath, (what are they for ?) are no longer secured to the frame and seem to be pulling down the skin which otherwise looks pretty good I think.

I'll be going back out to do the frame sag test and maybe take more photos.

Please let me know what you think !

D.

[Lumatic]

The tubes look like a retrofit to store sewer hose.

As far as rust, etc. the history of where the coach is from and under what conditions the coach was stored is a factor: in a building, dry vs. humid client, exposed to salt air, road salt, etc.

I can't tell from the photos if the rust is superficial or have eaten into the frame enough to weaken it. But it looks more superficial than not. I think all unrestored vintage coaches will have some frame rust.

[Dreamland]

Thanks Marshall !

We are told that it has lived it's whole life in California, predominantly inland. If that's accurate it would be a plus.

D.

[LHall]

Originally Posted by Dreamland

Greetings All ! My wife and I have have been studying these forums for months and are currently inspecting what may become our first Airstream. It is a 57 Flying Cloud.

Would someone experienced look at these few photos I took and give me your thoughts ? Just click the link to see them:

Flickr: Photos from joeyandtally

I took these photos of the belly skin which has opened up some revealing the frame, insulation, etc. The frame appears to have surface rust on the bottom but otherwise, from what I can see of it, seems in relatively good shape for a 50 year old. Floor seems solid except one small spot left of the entry door.

Those two long tubes underneath, (what are they for ?) are no longer secured to the frame and seem to be pulling down the skin which otherwise looks pretty good I think.

I'll be going back out to do the frame sag test and maybe take more photos.

Please let me know what you think !

D.

In my opinion the trailer looks to be in excellent condition for it's age. I have a 62 that has lived most of its life in Arizona and looks very similar underneath, just surface rust and popped rivets on the belly pan. Those tubes are like the ones on mine and were used to store the awnings. I still use them for the poles on my awnings. It seems to me that the belly pan can be re-riveted to the frame rails and the tubes re-secured in the same fashion if you intend to use them.

[InsideOut]

Do you have the VIN #...I thought the "Land Yacht" placque by the front of the door was just a 1960 thing...but I could be wrong. The other tell-tale age identifier is the unique wheel well shape which was only a year or two also.

Not that it makes a difference - the trailer looks good from the pics.

You might want to check the VIN here: Vintage Airstream Photo Archives

Shari

[CanoeStream]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

I thought the "Land Yacht" plaque by the front of the door was just a 1960 thing...

Shari, when Fred Coldwell did "the '50's" on theVAP.com I seem to recall that Land Yacht was one way of distinguishing park models (110v) vs over-the-road models (12v). Did International start up the same way? Which was it?? I'd have to go back and listen. Episode 37 if I only had a brain ... or the time.

[InsideOut]

Yeah, I know...but that's the blue LandYacht placque by the door. The one I am talking about is the one with wally's face and the flag on the upper corner segment...I'll ask Fred to clarify, no sense in "just guessing".

Shari

[Dreamland]

Thanks Louis and Sergio, we haven't looked at many in person but it seems to compare favorably to what we've seen online so far.

InsideOut, it's number is 8276, I went to Vintage Airstream Photo Archives and it does appear to check out as a Flying Cloud.

Thanks !

D.

[InsideOut]

Cool...looks nice, I guess I learned something today about the placque...thanks!

What's the inside look like? Original? Modified? Stripped? Do you have any pics?

Good luck if you decide to go for it!!!

Shari

[rmpray]

Now that is flat just teasing us How about some pics of the inside
rob n terry

[flyfshr]

Now that is one sweet find. That belly pan will go right back up and the frame looks to be surface rust only. What is it the staples go into on the pictures towards the bottom? Is it the wooden floor? Interior pix pleeze.

Brad
FF

[Dreamland]

Ok, I've added some interior pics here:

Flickr: Photos from joeyandtally

D.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, Dreamland. The bathroom isn't very pretty , but the rest of this trailer is. Inside and out looks good. Have the wheel bearings repacked, check the brakes, check the exterior lights, put brand new tires on it, and drag it home.

You like it, your wife likes it, the dog loves it; Unanamous, buy it.

[flyfshr]

After seeing the interior, its even more sweeter. This belongs in your driveway and by that I mean right away. Everything looks original except the fridge which is to be expected. Get er home, replace the soft goods, repack the bearing, add new tires and go camping. She's a beaut!!

Brad
FF

[47WeeWind]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Yeah, I know...but that's the blue LandYacht placque by the door. The one I am talking about is the one with wally's face and the flag on the upper corner segment...I'll ask Fred to clarify, no sense in "just guessing". Shari

Hi Shari & All:

This 7 panel 22' Flying Cloud s/n 8276 is a mid to late 1957 Airstream that has the "Land Yacht" plaque on the front end cap forward of the curb side upper fixed window. It reveals use of the "Land Yacht" plaque began in mid 1957. The "Land Yacht" plaque identifies this trailer as being "self-contained" by 1950's standards, which means it has a propane instead of electric refrigerator and water heater, a black water holding tank for the toilet, and a 12 volt interior light system (among other features). The futuristic Ogden water filter at the sink is an optional extra on this "Land Yacht" trailer but was standard on the higher trim level "International" self-contained trailers.

Best I can tell, the separate "Land Yacht" plaque and "International" globes were used on the trailer exterior to identify upgraded (from base level standard 120 volt a.c. powered) Airstreams from 1957 to about 1960, when those separate trim level designators were replaced by a large rectangluar serial number plate that included the factory and trim level. This Flying Cloud helps establish the Land Yacht and International trim Airstreams were first offered in mid 1957.

That's one very nice Flying Cloud fitted with the Land Yacht self-containment package, unusual for a 22' trailer built in 1957. Grab her and keep her! .

[Dreamland]

Thank you all for taking a peek and giving us your thoughts. Although the interior looks better in pictures than up close and I think we'll have to replace the axle right away I think we will go ahead and pull the trigger. I did the bumper test and there was almost no movement at all.

We have no experience working with Airstreams but we did hand restore a 1925 Califoria Bungalow and we are handy. Now we have two holes to pour money into ! WooHoo !

D.

[safari57]

Great looking trailer. It is very difficult to find them in that shape, with those options, as a starting point. Congratulations on finding it. I hope you give it a good home. It looks as though up to now it has been reasonably well taken care of and it deserves that for another 50 years.

Barry

[Dreamland]

Thanks Safari57, we're very pleased to have found it and are looking forward to giving it a second wind.

D.

[CanoeStream]

Okay Dreamer -- Time to update your avatar area so that it shows your Airstream!

Click on your control panel (User CP) at the left on this pages blue menu bar (2nd from the top). Select 'Edit Profile along the left column. Go down to 'Trailer #1' just below midpage, scroll and select '1957 22' Flying Cloud.'

You're dreaming pretty right now -- updating your profile will keep us asking for pictures, pictures, pictures! This project will be very interesting. Thanks for posting here!

[TBRich]

Hey, Dreamland...congrats on your find...she looks wonderful and in amazing shape for her age...sounds like it's an unusual model with some interesting features...she's happy she found you...I can tell...

Take good care of her...and have a blast...
TB