Back Slash \ Forward Slash /

[dbj216]

I have a question for you history buffs. I was at a vintage rally in August. I have a 75 Overlander International trim that I am renovating, so I was interested in similar trailers. I noticed the early 70s Overlander Internationals had a "back slash" pattern to the side trim moldings, see photo.

Then I noticed some of the early seventies Overlanders had a forward slash pattern. See second photo. I'm interested in what year this trim design changed.

It appears Airstream used a forward slash on the curb side, and a back slash on the street side. I went through a bunch of photos on the Vintage Airstream Resources website and it appears this was the trim design from about 69 to 73 Overlander Internationals. It is an odd design for us nerds like me who like all their ducks in a row and everything orderly. It appears in 74 Airstream went with a forward slash on both sides of the trailer. My 75 has a forward slash on both sides.

I'm asking a confirmation of my observation and possibly a why Airstream decided this was a good idea.

David

[D44]

Here are 2 photos of my parents’ 1972 Overlander showing the backslash on the street side and the forward slash on the curb side.

This may not be what you were looking for but thanks for the opportunity to post pictures of our old rig.

[Boog]

Originally Posted by dbj216

and possibly a why Airstream decided this was a good idea.

With a forward slash/back slash\ you only need one version of the trim to fit both sides. Forward/forward requires two versions - mirror image.

[66Overlander]

I agree with you, based upon photo evidence, as best I can tell, Airstream used backslash on the streetside and forward slash on the curbside from 1969 thru 1973, and changed to forward slash on both sides for 1974.

[dbj216]

I think boog is on to something. I didn't think of that. The "International" plaque is a cast aluminum piece. Maybe Betrice / Airstream didn't want to invest in a second mold to make the mirror image. So they changed the trim to match the one International plaque they had.

Maybe in 74 they found the dollars to buy a second mold. That trim design would have driven me nuts.

I'm reminded that I purchased a set of 60s International plaques. They do not say international on them. It is just a depiction of the American flag. I never painted them or used them. This plaque was on the sides of the 60s International trim trailers. I just went out and look at them and they are identical, not mirror image. I don't know if Airstream used a forward slash, back slash trim arrangement then or not. I'll see if I can find out.

These little things help identify a year built for the Airstream, kinda like square corner wing windows on the 69 trailers.

Just some Airstream trivia...

David