Airstream oddity photos

Rog0525 · 04-21-2003, 10:17 AM

I've started a collection of odd and/or unique AS photos. The pic below is a 70's Argosy experimental 4 wheel travel trailer. The info on the website where I found it was:

"Important piece of Airstream History
1 of 1,preproduction test model, 20' cabin Airstream Argosy
Watson front wheel steer system with plexiglass windows in top of front wheel tubs for filming steering action. Steers like a car, not a wagon! Zero tongue weight on tow vehicle.
No interior -- ever, 4 wheel electric brakes, factory interior
lining. No vents or holes. Original paint, tires, signage, etc. Rear
tires show heavy wear from full power broadsliding through slalom course during testing at Transportation Reasearch Center. Amateur video of testing goes with trailer, very dramatic!"

It was for sale at that time (Sept 2000) but I'm sure it's gone by now.
This and other AS photos are at:
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/rojohn1st...c=ph%26.view=t

Some were borrowed from these forums. If you have comments or other photos to share, please do.
Thanks.
Rog

Chas · 04-21-2003, 10:29 AM

Very interesting! Wonder what happened with this idea, seems it would put to bed several of the drawbacks related to towing. Maybe the steering system is too complicated? Or maybe there is too much of a "Gypsy" image to go along with this setup?, that is what it reminds me of.

Chas

59toaster · 04-21-2003, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chas
Very interesting! Wonder what happened with this idea, seems it would put to bed several of the drawbacks related to towing. Maybe the steering system is too complicated? Or maybe there is too much of a "Gypsy" image to go along with this setup?, that is what it reminds me of.

Chas

Try backing it up and then you will understand why this didn't float. You can't back up except in a perfect straight line.

**john hd** · 04-21-2003, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 59toaster

Try backing it up and then you will understand why this didn't float. You can't back up except in a perfect straight line.

any one who has put hay up can!

try backing up a wagon load of freshly baled hay into the barn with a 60 year old farmer yelling at you! in the rain!

easy, no! impossible maybe!

john

Chas · 04-21-2003, 12:13 PM

Most of the hay I hauled as a kid was loaded up on a flatbed truck with a side conveyor, never used trailers and never had to back one up, lucky I guess? But, this strange Argosy supposedly has an automotive style front end, wouldn't that be different than the crude front turning mechanisms of your hay trailer? What is a "Watson" front end? Sounds fancy, maybe the wheels steer via feedback from the tongue position or ??? (I need to think about this some more)

Chas

**john hd** · 04-21-2003, 12:53 PM

chas

the wagons we used has upper and lower ball joints, tie rods etc.

when you moved the tounge the wheels turned just like a car.

i wonder if rog was referring to a radio flyer??!!

lol

john

blamejane · 04-21-2003, 03:40 PM

Rog: great photo collection. I didn't see the Snapple TT, which can be found at the bottom of the page (from Inland RV)...

http://www.inlandrv.com/airstream-pics01/index.htm

Rog0525 · 04-21-2003, 05:20 PM

I added the Snapple.
And yep, john hd, the pictured TT was dubbed "the Argosy Radio Flyer".

amfab · 04-21-2003, 06:03 PM

Im sure you guys have seen this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6727

-Andrew

Roze · 07-01-2003, 10:31 PM

Hey Rog!
This is Roze in Apex, NC. I FINALLY found the link to an Airstream that may even still be for sale in the New England area. It's GORGEOUS...but above my price range

Check out this link and get photos straight from the source (so I don't goof somehow and send you bad ones ...ha, ha)

http://www.marinestove.com/airstream.htm

Oooohhhh...just found another link:
http://about.polo.com/vintage/airstream/default.asp

How are you? Email when you can. No new photos from the "other" interesting AS. Still waiting...and waiting...and waiting...

Surgery went GREAT. LOTS of prayer from great friends, a couple of days rest and a 'dash' of percocet...hee hee hee. Life is good! Talk soon....

p.s. man that home made 5th wheel SCARES ME!

Diana Langley · 07-02-2003, 07:26 AM

Snapple used more than one Airstream in their summer tour last year.

Here's a shot of my "Gracie" when she was a working girl.

**wahoonc** · 07-02-2003, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roze

This is Roze in Apex, NC. I FINALLY found the link to an Airstream that may even still be for sale in the New England area. It's GORGEOUS...but above my price range Check out this link and get photos straight from the source (so I don't goof somehow and send you bad ones ...ha, ha)

http://www.marinestove.com/airstream.htm

Roze, you still on that percocet

? I didn't know that Brooklyn, NYC was in New England

BTW I work out of Apex. I really like that AS showed my bride what can be done with one, she just might let me get one

Aaron