Airstream Year Model

[Behrens]

Can anyone help my determine the year model of this airstream? I found it out on my family land, so I don't know much about it. My wife and I think it is a 1963 22' Flying Cloud.

Thanks for the help!

[Phoenix]

I know nothing about vintage Airstreams, but the entry door looks a little like the one on this 1959 Land Yacht:

1959 Airstream Tradewind Trailer Rental at Airstreams4rent RV Rental

Just curious, what does it look like inside? If it's on family land, I'll bet there's an interesting back story...

[overlander63]

It's a 1962 Flying Cloud, built in Cancerfornia.

[Behrens]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

I know nothing about vintage Airstreams, but the entry door looks a little like the one on this 1959 Land Yacht:

1959 Airstream Tradewind Trailer Rental at Airstreams4rent RV Rental

Just curious, what does it look like inside? If it's on family land, I'll bet there's an interesting back story...

The inside is rough looking. We plan to completely redo it. My dad told me that a work hand used to live inside of it. I wasn't really familiar with Airstream's until my wife said something. I started researching them and realized what a great find this was. My dad said we could have it, so now I am trying to find people that can repair the outside and do the electrical and plumbing. I'm going to try and do most of the inside myself. We will see how that goes...

[HiHoAgRV]

That particular type of door-in-a-door hinge is specific to a '63 model. All of the other years, the door-in-a-door had a big strap hinge that pivoted at the same place as the main door. For '63 it's strip hinge on the door-in-a-door.

My '63 also shows a late '62 production date

[dwightdi]

It looks similar to my '63 Overlander, which was built in Jackson Center. How do you plan to get a title for it, so you can travel with it? It looks like the original hot water heater and likely has the old furnace. The galvanized fresh water tank was one of the air pressurized one and likely leaks by this time (49 yrs.), so figure on replacing it.

[overlander63]

It's a 1962, 22' Flying Cloud or Safari, built in Santa Fe Springs. So sayeth Airstream:Airstream, Inc :: Serial Numbers

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by overlander63

It's a 1962, 22' Flying Cloud or Safari, built in Santa Fe Springs. So sayeth Airstream:Airstream, Inc :: Serial Numbers

Humm. I have always looked at the S/N for the start of the year...

All of the 22 ft '62's start at 0669. For '63 they are at 0876...making this one a '63 even though they don't even list a "D"ouble as ever being built in '63

If you are right, my '63 Overlander, built in 11-62 with SN 0807 is acutally a '62 with a higher SN than the '63's (they start at 729) simply because they dont list a 26"T"S for '63. I've seen '63 brochures that do show a twin option.

Confusing...

[CanoeStream]

The CA Division of Housing badge was a state requirement back then and doesn't provide any identification.

Looks like this has had some partial sheet metal repairs on both curbside & streetside. Full sheet replacements might have been nicer. Hopefully these were done with Alclad.

Your final picture tells the whole story. 22TSS0977 is the VIN. 6211 are the year and month of production -- Nov 1962. Probably a '63.

Look at the 1962 Flying Cloud page at 1962 Flying Cloud 22' - Vintage Airstream and the VIN guide near the top. Your VIN matches the pattern for a California produced model. Except the sequential production numbers for '62 California-produced FCs were 0630 to 0875. Your number is higher than 0875.

1963 was a mixed year of Flying Cloud or Safari badging. It's probably fair to say that Ohio & California practices were not identical. The 1963 Safari page shows sequential production numbers from 0876 to 1116 (which encompasses your 0977 number). The streetside windows have the most resemblance to the '63 FC pics at vintageairstream.com. The Santa Fe Springs plant seems to have put a Flying Cloud badge on this unit. Records for '63 FC VINs don't seem to be as complete at that last link. Calling it exactly one or the other doesn't make a lot of difference. Flying Cloud is fair enough.

And finally... plumbing layouts to comply with California RV codes dictated that California coaches of this period have curbside bathrooms. Airstream used streetside bathrooms in Ohio produced units. Do you see a curbside bathroom?

[wmarsha]

I am beginning to think half the fun of owning an older unit is deciphering whatcha got! You folks blow me away. Nice stuff! and enjoyable reading.

[overlander63]

It's interesting the Flying Cloud and Safari shared serial numbers, no matter which of the two years. And after looking some more at the number sequence, it dors look like a '63, built late in '62.
It is definately a California built trailer, though. Of course, the fact you can see the letters that spell "Flying Cloud" over the serial number plate helps narrow it down some...

[Behrens]

Thank you for all the help. I am looking for someone to repair the shell and do the electrical wiring. If anyone has good contacts in Texas, please let me know.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Behrens

Thank you for all the help. I am looking for someone to repair the shell and do the electrical wiring. If anyone has good contacts in Texas, please let me know.

I sent you a PM about a couple of guys I trust here in Texas, but not that close to Houston. Maybe someone closer to Houston will have more local recommendations for you.

[adonh]

Originally Posted by Behrens

Thank you for all the help. I am looking for someone to repair the shell and do the electrical wiring. If anyone has good contacts in Texas, please let me know.

Contact Chris Jones at Bob Jones RV in Houston. They were and Airstream dealer for a number of years going back to the 50's. Now they service RV's including Airstreams.

Be prepared to spend some money.

Bob Jones RV


Don

1976 31' Sovereign

[L911]

If you call Airstream they can tell you. At least they told me when mine was laid out...

[txpaintbrush]

Hi there,
I'm new to the Airforums this year, and I guess it was a sign. My husband, while I was away in Vermont this summer, tried to surprise me by building a cover for our 1963 Safari. He moved it to get it off the digging site, and yup, you guessed it, he backed it into not just one, not two but three trees and really racked up a huge bill for repair estimate at Bob Jones. The Airstream is my baby and I was mortified at the damage to the top of the rear shell and am actually surprised it CAN be fixed. Nevertheless, I am just wondering if anyone out there can tell me they are going to do a fabulous job for almost $8,000? And if you were wondering, no the cover was not built, just a big hole with rebar, and maybe it's a good thing, as he put it in the WRONG PLACE. I know, he was trying to do something really sweet, but really? Three trees?