Before they were Vintage

[crispyboy]

Great pictures/stories!

I'm partial to the vintage Jeep Wagoneer in the very right hand side of your picture!

[Shacksman]

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

Mike,
Thanks so much for sharing these photos!

And yes, I've seen several (a hand full) photos of different late '50s/early '60s Airstreams with a front window boxed out like that, but never one in person. It must have been an aftermarket accessory that someone came up with, because I think you'd see them more often if it was a factory option. I did not know that they were vented at the bottom, but that probably made theme nice to keep open in inclement weather for ventilation without a risk of rain blowing in.

Joe, I've got a 1967 Wally Byam Stores cataloge and on pg.27 it showes that. It's called a "Travfilvent". It says it's made of aluminum and can be in the window for travelling and lets in cool air through washable filters. Cost 39.95

[ventport]

Originally Posted by Grand Master

Now here is a Rally picture from the same era.

There are a couple of things worth noting in this picture.......
1. I'll bet the owner of the Chevy wagon doesn't know that he is hitched wrong and that his wheelbase is too short to tow that Airstream.
2. When is the last time you saw an Airstream being towed with a Thunderbird?

Notice that we are parked in an open space. Not particularly attractive. That's because we were there to visit the area not camp. The only point I am trying to make is that camping and Caravanning were both good. They just weren't the same.

That's a Ford wagon not a Chev.

[Grand Master]

Originally Posted by Shacksman

Joe, I've got a 1967 Wally Byam Stores cataloge and on pg.27 it showes that. It's called a "Travfilvent". It says it's made of aluminum and can be in the window for travelling and lets in cool air through washable filters. Cost 39.95

Here is a picture of from inside. My Mom placed a towel over the vent when it wasn't needed for fresh air.

I had this stained glass Airstream made for my parents as a Christmas present in the late 60's. It was made using their '62 Overlander as the model.

After my parents died I saved it. The second picture is of it, today.

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Shacksman

Joe, I've got a 1967 Wally Byam Stores cataloge and on pg.27 it showes that. It's called a "Travfilvent". It says it's made of aluminum and can be in the window for travelling and lets in cool air through washable filters. Cost 39.95

Doug, thanks for the clarification! I think this would be a great addition to a vintage Airstream, even today. Do you think they permanently riveted/screwed to the trailer, or were they just held in place by cranking the window back down to wedge them in the window opening? I assumed they were permanently attached until I saw your write-up than made me think they might be removable.

Originally Posted by Grand Master

Here is a picture of from inside. My Mom placed a towel over the vent when it wasn't needed for fresh air.

I had this stained glass Airstream made for my parents as a Christmas present in the late 60's. It was made using their '62 Overlander as the model.

After my parents died I saved it. The second picture is of it, today.

I see the "Travfilvent" even on the stained glass Overlander!

[Grand Master]

Joe,

Good eye. I have had this stained glass Airstream on display in my home for the last 20+ years. When I posted it I had overlooked that the Travfilvent was included as a detail by the stained glass artist.

[Grand Master]

I took a little time off while Mary was in the hospital for a few days. She is home and doing better.

In 1963 The International Rally was in Bemidji, MN. Now I know this picture is not unique because it is the official Rally picture and many people bought them. However, This should be the largest gathering of exclusively 13 panel and 7 panel Airstreams ever assembled.
sabbatical
Although "vintage" is anything older than 25 years, I personally favor the Airstreams with less than 5 panels and with the door-within-a-door. My Dad must have felt this way too, because he kept his 1962 Overlander longer than any other Airstream that he owned (and he owned 7). He kept the '62 for 12 years. I don't recall him keeping any other Airstream longer than 3 or 4 years.

There are 1882 now Vintage Airstreams in this picture.

[flynmike]

Thanks to all who posted your memories here. They're awesome! My parents (mostly my mom) always wanted and Airstream but never took the plunge. My mom was thrilled when I brought my first by their house to show them...a 65 Caravel I bought in 1992 (kick myself for EVER selling it) I'm on my 4th Airsteam now...not sure if it's the last but I love my 30' Classic (leaks and all)

Mike I think it's cool you have your dad's WBCC number! And it's so great you're continuing the family tradition. My daughter has lots of memories of traveling in our Airstreams and has already told me (and her boyfirend) she's not having anything else in her driveway.

Thanks again to all and to echo others...please keep posting pics!

Mike

[61Ambassador]

Thanks for this thread!

Fascinating to see all these campers in their prime! I have a 61 Ambassador and the more I look at newer campers the more I like the looks and design of the AS - even from '61.

Keith (hope to join WBCCI this year)

[Grand Master]

My Dad carried a Vespa in our 1959 18' International (this is back when both the Airstream & the Vespa were new). He installed anchors (threaded sleeves) in the floor and drilled a hole in each side of the floorboard on the Vespa to install mounting bolts. It rode many thousands of miles like this. The Vespa was secured just forward of the axle.

The only problem I remember was that you had to turn the handlebars slightly to get it through the door. It took both of us to get it in and out of the trailer.

I now carry an electric scooter similar to this one Wally had (I think Wally's was gas though). I can put it in the trailer all by myself

[Blue Pearl]

I will need to get a scooter like that when we do the Baker City Wally's B-day rally, I'm also looking for the megaphone. Vintage fun, thanks for the pictures.

[mwells4654]

I sure do appreciate all you taking the time for these pictures. I am pretty new to the AirStreaming but I look forward to many yearss of fun and memories.

[1953 Flying]

Great thread.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories. When we do our outings I'm always taking picture of my family with the Airstream where ever we go.

Thanks again.