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das997 · 05-02-2005, 11:44 PM

I was at a WBCCI rally on the weekend, and after a few hours there was a general
consensus that my A/S was one of very few exported to Europe in the early 80's.
I don't have a manual, and the serial number makes little sense (1STTBCH2XBJ500423).
It's 24'4" long, 7'4" wide, has "International" on the body, mfrd in March of 1981.
It DOES look like a miniature version of an AS when at a ralley of 35 other trailers.
The closest I've seen to the inside layout is a 1975 Argosy, but it was 8' wide vs. 7'4".
Anybody know about "International's" mfrd in 1981? The s/n has even stumped the
Airstream Company...
Thx,
Doug

Jim & Susan · 05-03-2005, 05:54 AM

Doug, you've probably already seen this, but here is an Airstream site that helps to decypher VIN's.
http://www.airstream.com/airstream/p...e/docs/vin.pdf

Good luck,
Jim

sfixx · 05-03-2005, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by das997

The closest I've seen to the inside layout is a 1975 Argosy, but it was 8' wide vs. 7'4".

Hey Doug, What a great story...It sounds like a factory unpainted Argosy Minuet, which is said to have been built for export. Minuets are the narrower width too. Are the outside upper endcaps polished aluminum? Can you post more pictures for us?

Congradulations on having such a unique Airstream

Best wishes,

Steve

bjond · 05-03-2005, 06:56 AM

Another narrow 80s (I forget the exact year) Airstream was in the vintage area at the FSR in Feb. The owner's story was that this "narrow" model was made in the Argosy factory was was part of a production run for a caravan in China at that time. They shipped the Airstreams and Suburbans to China and left them there. Several groups flew into China and used these vehicles. The owner wasn't sure how his Airstream had escaped going to or from China.

das997 · 05-03-2005, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim & Susan

Doug, you've probably already seen this, but here is an Airstream site that helps to decypher VIN's.
http://www.airstream.com/airstream/p...e/docs/vin.pdf

Good luck,
Jim

Hi Jim:

Here's the reply I rec'd from Airstream re: the serial number:

---
Hello Doug,

You have successfully stumped the factory. The serial no. that you have
given me can be divided into areas which give a story about the trailer. I
can only give you what I have here at the factory.

1ST TBCH2 X BJ500423

First Area 3 Digits means that it was manufactured by Airstream Inc.
Second Area "T" means type of trailer. Book says not used.
"B" means that it's an International.
"C" means Body Type. Book says not used.
"H" means 24' to less than 25'
"2" means Double Axle
Third Area "X" means Check Digit
Fourth Area "B" means Made in 1981
"J" means Manufactured in Jackson Center, Ohio
The rest of the six digits are the sequential production numbers assigned
to each
unit.

The wide bodies of today were not produced until 1994. Before that, bodies
were approx. 8" narrower.

The "T" and the "C" above stumps everyone here. You get the gold star of
the day.
Hope I have helped you out some.
==

Still confused,
Doug

das997 · 05-03-2005, 09:52 AM

Hi Steve:

The trailer is aluminum, and was mfrd in Jackson. When I compared it to the '75 Argosy, the only similarity was the interior layout ....

I'll post a couple of photos later today...

Cheers,
Doug

das997 · 05-03-2005, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfixx

Hey Doug, What a great story...It sounds like a factory unpainted Argosy Minuet, which is said to have been built for export. Minuets are the narrower width too. Are the outside upper endcaps polished aluminum? Can you post more pictures for us?

Congradulations on having such a unique Airstream

Best wishes,

Steve

Hi Steve:

I think this link should get you to the photos I uploaded:
http://www.airforums.com/photo...age.php?i=8693

Cheers,
Doug

Jim & Susan · 05-03-2005, 10:38 AM

Here’s what I get using the Airstream web info

1ST TBCH2 X BJ500423

“1 S T “ Airstream Travel Trailer

“T” Not used (possibly because it was a special production run?)

“B” Classic series trailer

“C” Semi-monocoque, 102” wide body, continuous curved, shiny aluminum shell, contoured window glass, frames and doors, galley/bedroom slideout. (That would be 8.5’ wide, did they even make slideouts in 1981?)

“H” 24’ to 25’ length

“2” Double axle

“X” Check digit

“B” 1981 model year

“J” Jackson Center manufacturing plant

“500423” Sequential production number

Weird stuff, eh?

Peter&Denise · 05-03-2005, 11:18 AM

I just ran through the serial number for my trailer using the link posted in this thread. Everything made sense except for one thing. The 4th. position in the serial # is a "D" which according to the chart is a "Center Bath, Center Kitchen, Triple Slide". What's up with that? I have a rear bath Excella with center twins which I believe should be a "K" code. I'm using the serial # off of my insurance slip, so I thought that maybe it was a typo, and I'll have to check the trailer itself when I get home, but the weird thing is the equation for the check digit worked out correctly the way the serial # is now. If you change the 4th. digit to a "K", the check digit would be different. Has anyone here ran into something similiar? Inquiring minds want to know. P.

FYI - my serial number off of ins. slip is - 1STDEAR29BJ500217

Peter&Denise · 05-09-2005, 09:36 AM

Well I finally remembered to look at the serial # on the trailer itself and the fourth digit is definitely a "D" on both serial # plates. Can anyone shed a little bit of light on this? Is the serial # chart wrong? Does anyone else with a rear-bath have a have "D' in the 4th. position in thier serial # or is it a "K"? Maybe someone was just having an off day at the Airstream factory when they assigned a serial # to my trailer. P.

das997 · 05-09-2005, 10:16 PM

I think I'm getting closer ... found a 1980 Owners Manual for the Airstream Caravelle/Argosy Minuet. Also found a brief reference at http://www.calldon.com/air.htm regarding a short re-appearance of the Caravelle name in a 21-23' trailer in the early 80's.

I think what I have is a 1981 24' Caravelle with International badging (whatever that means).....

overlander63 · 05-10-2005, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter&Denise

Well I finally remembered to look at the serial # on the trailer itself and the fourth digit is definitely a "D" on both serial # plates. Can anyone shed a little bit of light on this? Is the serial # chart wrong? Does anyone else with a rear-bath have a have "D' in the 4th. position in thier serial # or is it a "K"? Maybe someone was just having an off day at the Airstream factory when they assigned a serial # to my trailer. P.

It's just a guess, but maybe your trailer was in production when a special order, "rush" came in, and that trailer was closest to what was ordered. It had already been assigned a VIN, and that was carried through production, even though it had changed. Again, that is just a guess, but may be close to what happened.

Peter&Denise · 05-10-2005, 10:13 AM

Good theory on the serial number discrepancy, but "Triple Slide" ? Does that refer to slide-outs? Was that even an option in '81? Not that it really matters, but it kinda makes me wonder. P.

overlander63 · 05-10-2005, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter&Denise

Good theory on the serial number discrepancy, but "Triple Slide" ? Does that refer to slide-outs? Was that even an option in '81? Not that it really matters, but it kinda makes me wonder. P.

According to the "cypher", it is EITHER a Center Bath, OR a center Kitchen, OR a triple slide out, depending on year, and model. You can't have a center kitchen, and a center bath. Well, I suppose you could, but your corn flakes would get mighty soggy if you are eating breakfast, and someone else is taking a shower.

The triple slide would be for the Integrity fifth wheel.
So,... you would have a:
1- U.S. or Canada-built
ST- Airstream Trailer
D- Center Bath, or Center Kitchen
E-Excella
A-96" body, shiny aluminum
R-31-32' length
2-two axles
B-year manufactured-1981
J-check digit
500217 sequential production number

Peter&Denise · 05-10-2005, 11:03 AM

Well that makes alot more sense. Thanks for the clarification. P.

vajeep · 05-10-2005, 01:01 PM

I have read about this China Caravan. This article does mention that the Airstream Trailers were "Custom 20 footers"
Here is a link to the story:http://www.travelclassics.com/librar...arcopolo.shtml
From the article it appears that only 11 trailers made it to China.
Maybe the factory can help if you add the China Caravan info...

Good luck,
Abe

DanG · 12-16-2005, 10:54 AM

<SNIP>
you've probably already seen this, but here is an Airstream site that helps to decypher VIN's.
http://www.airstream.com/airstream/p...e/docs/vin.pdf

Good luck,
Jim
<SNIP>

Waaah, it's newer VIN's. Where do ya go fer the older stuff? I'm chasing 131B6J3848 & F106 G8 off an older unit.
Thanks,
DanG
'66 Overlander
'65 F250

wkerfoot · 12-16-2005, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanG

<SNIP>
you've probably already seen this, but here is an Airstream site that helps to decypher VIN's.
http://www.airstream.com/airstream/p...e/docs/vin.pdf

Good luck,
Jim
<SNIP>

Waaah, it's newer VIN's. Where do ya go fer the older stuff? I'm chasing 131B6J3848 & F106 G8 off an older unit.
Thanks,
DanG
'66 Overlander
'65 F250

Dan,

Try RJ Dial's website at: http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...ign/index.html

I think you have a 1976 31' center bath double bed sovereign international trim.

Bill

Jim & Susan · 12-16-2005, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Dan,

Try RJ Dial's website at: http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...ign/index.html

I think you have a 1976 31' center bath double bed sovereign international trim.

Bill

I think Bill has it right for the first of the two trailers. The 1966 thru 1980 models can also be decyphered here on the Airstream site: http://www.airstream.com/airstream/p...pre1980vin.pdf

I don't think the Airstream site goes back beyond 1966 (at least I've not found it on the site). Your second trailer VIN is older than 1966 (most likely). There are a couple of true Airstream Historians that are members here. Maybe one of them will know about camper number 2.