What does Airstream mean to you?

[rollingbubel]

They are a labor of love. They also are an iconic trailer.

[PRATTMAN]

I absolutely love all things Vintage but have a special fondness for pre 1960 Airstreams. For me it brings me back to simpler times when life moved a little slower and people were a little friendlier. But the greatest satisfaction for me is taking something that has been neglected and/or forgotten and fixing it up to its original glory with modern touches of technology and convenience. Then to create new adventures with family and friends while reminiscing of all the Airstream’s past travels brings everything back full circle.

Tim Pratt aka Prattman
Foresthill, CA.

[azflycaster]

One of the things that always gets me is the people we meet on the road. Total strangers will approach us and ask if they can see the interior of our trailer. Most have had an Airstream sometime in their past and want to slip back in time to revisit some fond memory of the past.

At the open house for the RMVAC in 2008 we had an older couple stop by our trailer to visit. It seems that they once owned a 75 Trade Wind and everything in ours was the same as they had remembered. They visited for almost an hour, having cookies and coffee as we traveled back in time with them on several vacation trips. They gave us hugs when they left and somehow they looked a little younger as they walked away.

My Airstream is all about memories. The ones that we are making now and the ones we can bring back to others.

[bob34787]

In my case it means that the Wife told me to take the money out of the bank and buy her an Airstream and something to tow it with.

[Jezibels]

You are only on this Earth once.

Why not?

[Hendrik]

Wow, thanks for the great replies, hopefully we can put together a presentation of the same quality as a vintage airstream

[arcamedies]

Famous names of the transportation movement that have continued well past their founders.

Mercedes Benz
BMW
Porsche
Ferrari
Harley Davidson
Indian
Tucker
Cessna
Piper
AIRSTREAM

And besides they are way cool to have one especially when they are old ;O)

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Hendrik

Wow, thanks for the great replies, hopefully we can put together a presentation of the same quality as a vintage airstream

It's a very good idea to use the Vintage Airstream comparison, 'cuz there's very little quality left in the newer examples.

[StingrayL82]

What it means to me is that I will never be homeless and the scenery outside my door will be ever-changing.

[janetb]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

It's a very good idea to use the Vintage Airstream comparison, 'cuz there's very little quality left in the newer examples.

We have a newer Airstream, and so far it has meant fun, comfort, style, and a call to new adventures. We love the silver-bullet look, and the clean lines of the interior. Although we've had some minor repairs/detailing done under warranty, and a few diy fixes, we're clearly among the luckier ones with the newer units and have had very few serious issues. No corrosion so far, and no leaks.
Knock wood. Or laminate.

[NevadaGeo]

There's a few profile shapes that most people would recognize with out question: VW, Maryiln Monroe, Porsche, Elvis, 57 Chevy, Airstream..

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by janetb

We have a newer Airstream, and so far it has meant fun, comfort, style, and a call to new adventures. We love the silver-bullet look, and the clean lines of the interior. Although we've had some minor repairs/detailing done under warranty, and a few diy fixes, we're clearly among the luckier ones with the newer units and have had very few serious issues. No corrosion so far, and no leaks.
Knock wood. Or laminate.

Janet,

Both our Airstream's have meant the very same to us.

Please don't interpret my rants as anything more than dissatisfaction with the very poor build quality that the management fully endorses.

At their price point we deserve much more.

[Silverwanabe]

In every field of human endeavour, he that is first must perpetually live in the white light of publicity. Whether the leadership be vested in a man or in a manufactured product, emulation and envy are ever at work.
In art, in literature, in music, in industry, the reward and the punishment are always the same. The reward is widespread recognition; the punishment, fierce denial and detraction.
When a man’s work becomes a standard for the whole world, it also becomes a target for the shafts of the envious few. If his work be mediocre, he will be left severely alone – if he achieves a masterpiece, it will set a million tongues a-wagging. Jealousy does not protrude its forked tongue at the artist who produces a commonplace painting. Whatsoever you write, or paint, or play, or sing, or build, no one will strive to surpass or to slander you unless your work be stamped with the seal of genius.
Long, long after a great work or a good work has been done, those who are disappointed or envious, continue to cry out that it cannot be done. Spiteful little voices in the domain of art were raised against our own Whistler as a mountback, long after the big would had acclaimed him its greatest artistic genius. Multitudes flocked to Bayreuth to worship at the musical shrine of Wagner, while the little group of those whom he had dethroned and displaced argued angrily that he was no musician at all. The little world continued to protest that Fulton could never build a steamboat, while the big world flocked to the river banks to see his boat steam by.
The leader is assailed because he is a leader, and the effort to equal him is merely added proof of that leadership. Failing to equal or to excel, the follower seeks to depreciate and to destroy – but only confirms once more the superiority of that which he strives to supplant.
There is nothing new in this. It is as old as the world and as old as human passions – envy, fear, greed, ambition, and the desire to surpass. And it all avails nothing.
If the leader truly leads, he remains – the leader. Master-poet, master-painter, master-workman, each in his turn is assailed, and each holds his laurels through the ages.
That which is good or great makes itself known, no matter how loud the clamor of denial. That which deserves to live – lives.

Good Stuff

[Silverfoxrae]

Airstream = FREEDOM.

Rae

[Silverwanabe]

Yeah ,that too...

[Whizzo]

Since this is my 500th post, I tried to come up with something notable to write. No luck there. Then I searched around for a thread that expresses just how great our Airstream community truly is. Bingo.

It's a little sad knowing it will be awhile before we're back to the US and back on the road. But living vicariously through those of you who are rallying, road-tripping and enjoying... well, it's still pretty darned wonderful.

John W

[Silverwanabe]

A Way of Life.....

Freedom.

The only RV brand I know of that has been all around the world.

One of the few brands at 50 or 60 years old that is still worth restoring and using.

[Ganaraska]

There are certain products that do what they are meant to do supremely well. They may not be impossible to improve but they come closer to that Platonic ideal than any other product.

Those who respond to the technical aesthetic grok these products.

They include:

Airstream trailer

Zippo lighter

Chevrolet V8

Volkswagen Beetle

Barcelona chair

Workmate

Coke bottle

Snap On tools

[Ganaraska]

It's worth noting that all these products exhibit form following function not function subordinate to form, and are notable for their simplicity.

[telebuck]

I dont even own one yet... think this year is the one...

But it means several thing to me:
- classic american design and entrepreneurship (also think Leo Fender, Frank Lloyd Wright, Henry Ford)
- freedom from the everyday mundane
- family experiences I hope to have.