Ambassador VIN image request: I vs L

[flaagan]

The project '72 Ambassador I bought has what appears to be an I on the VIN, though looking at it again it might be a worn off L. Kind of an oddball question, but can anyone confirm whether this is an International or Land Yacht series?

I'll note that there is no carpeting, though it has the 'central control panel' up front.

I don't have the trailer as of posting this (will be towing it home in ~ a week), but just wanted to get an idea of whether the VIN had be worn down or I'm reading it correctly. Photo of the VIN's attached.

Thanks!

[MaggieMarty]

Hi there neighbor, I am in San Jose. I think your first letter is an I for International. From the Overlander up the longer trailers were "International Landyachts". See this: http://www.airstream.com/wp-content/...8e63399933.pdf

Here the decoder from this site: http://vintageairstream.com/frequent...rial-numbers/:

1969 to 1980
Digit 1 = I – International; L – Land Yacht; E – Excella
Digit 2&3 = Length
Digit 4 =
A – Center bath twin beds
B – Center bath double bed
D – Rear Bath double bed
T – Rear bath twin
Digit 5 = Model year
Digit 6 =
J – Jackson Center, OH
S – Cerritos, CA
V – Versailles, OH (Argosy)
Digit 7-10 = Sequential serial number -3 Digits 1966-1969, 4 digits 1970+


Q: The first digit on my serial number plates looks like a 1, not an I, is my trailer different?
A: From 1969 to 1980, the type face on the serial number plates changed to a san-serif modern style, and the new “I” is just a simple vertical straight line – same as the number”1″, so you can’t whether its an “I” or a “1″ by looking at it. But since the other option levels for 1969 to 1980 use letters, E for Excella and L for Land Yacht, it’s assumed it is the letter “I” for International, not a “1″.

Good luck with your new toy!

[Andrew T]

It is an "I" for international. The "L" would be a "Land Yacht" trim level. The only Land Yacht models in 1972 were 25' and under.

Andrew T

[flaagan]

Excellent! Thank you both of you for clearing that up!