FOUND!! Wally Byam's '55 Cruiser - 1956 European Caravan trailer

[goransons]

Where do we go from here?

We are finishing the last details throughout the trailer. Joe found us chairs, we are doing the last of touch ups, trimming out and accessories but what next.

We loved showing it at International but I must confess I’ve never been so nervous towing something. Through this restoration our plans have shifted as we realize this trailer is one of a kind and can’t be replaced. I don’t worry too much about mechanical failure or my ability to tow, but rather others on the road and other hazards out of my control.

We’ve spent so much time trying to make the interior exactly as seen its hard to use it practically with our family. We will sleep in it a few times before the weather gets cold so our kids and us can say we’ve camped in Wally and Stella’s Airstream too.

We have started the process of finding this Airstream artifact a proper home in a museum for generations of Airstream enthusiasts to enjoy. Megan, the kids and myself can’t thank Dale, Joe, Wally H, and the countless forums and club members that helped us get it where it is today. Whether it was for parts searches, knowledge, advice and encouragement or fashion advice thank you everyone!! We will update and wrap this thread up in the near future.

[Hittenstiehl]

Your family and trailer tale had been so inspiring to read. I think we can all understand its nerve wracking to pull around. I hope the choice of resting spot/museum you end up with treasures it the way that you did and holds on to it for a very long time so we can all visit enjoy Wally's trailer and your hard work putting it back together.

Well done

[Argosy man]

Very well worded Scott. I guess for the same reason you dont see the original Batmobile in morning rush hour traffic- it needs to come off the road

Anybody that keeps a travel trailer for a while personalizes it and works to make it more enjoyable; can’t really do that with a museum piece that has been so accurately restored.

I have really enjoyed this thread and congratulations on completing such a beautiful rebuild. Wherever it ends up, I hope to see it someday.

I also hope you take on another restoration one day- you have a gift.

Shawn

[bweybright]

I totally understand your need and desire to get her to where she should be. That being said..given a number of threads on this forum to do a "go fund me" for questionable intentions (no specific mentions to keep this positive). I would suggest you do a go fund me to help you recoup some of your cash outlay to make the reality of moving the trailer to where is should be happen.
You are a teacher working to help the future be better than where we are now, and underpaid. You spent money on this trailer out of...sorry you are weird - why did you do this???? I believe in this situation a go fund me thing is a worthwhile effort.

[Albireo]

Absolutely amazing!! Congratulations on this achievement. What a wonderful story and outcome!

[goransons]

Thank you everyone. Why did we do it? We love Airstreams and we love the history even more. In reality we are into it a ton of money and thousands of hours. Our hope is to work out a deal to sell it to one of the trailer museums, whether it be Jackson Center or one of the more general trailer museums. We’ve been approached about a private sale which at this time we aren’t considering because we’d like to see it available for public view. It was brought up in early discussions about donating it, but to be perfectly honest with two kids needing college and what we have invested vs what we would ever see on any kind of tax write off in our tax bracket wouldn’t even cover 10% of our out of pocket material costs. Whether it be a sale/trade combo or a cash deal we hope we can set up a little college fund for each of our kids and set some aside to continue our Airstream adventures as a family.

Thanks for all the kind words

Scott, Megan, Jason, Abigail and our newest member, Lily (the beagle)


PS. Please keep an eye out for a Metz Babyphon model S155 record player/radio. It’s German made. Joe Peplinski made the discovery last night that it is the missing second shelf electronics item below the Zenith Transoceanic.

[OilnH2o]

Great job to you all!
We hope we get to see it before it "goes away" but also can't wait to meet Lily!
- Dave and Jeri

[MsRivet]

I'm very ecstatic for what you have achieved with this iconic trailer yet heavyhearted in knowing I have no more updates to look forward to. I am so grateful knowing the right thing will happen to Wally's trailer and I know you will make sure of that. THANK YOU for keeping the dreams alive!!!!

Here's to your achievements and hopes of crossing paths with you in the future!

CHEERS!!!

[Slats]

Thanks for the inspiration.

I now find myself, when tempted to cut a corner, cutting myself off at Goransons pass.

[chrisetmike]

You have done an incredible job restoring this trailer. I understand the difficulty in using a museum peice as a camper but you also have a lot of time and money invested in this camper.

I really hope to get to see your trailer someday and to meet you too. You could deffinitly give the newbies some pointers.

[goransons]

I haven’t updated in awhile. Still no news to report on the Jackson Center front although folks are working on a presentation for them.

The record player arrived from Germany after a little over a month in transit.



Today I finished reassembling the chairs. They are the same style, a different base but as close as we’ve found.




One upcoming modification is I recently picked up on eBay one of the correct Hehr roof vents with the porthole window so my roof vent lids are coming off and headed to be copied like the originals now that we have real measurements to compare to.



This spring We plan to break ground on a modest 2 rv bay shop at the house. Regardless if we keep this piece of history to ourselves or it finds itself on permanent indoor display somewhere (that’s our goal) it will be nice to have our trailers indoors at home to keep watch over.

[goransons]

I should mention Joe found the chairs for me in Michigan. Thanks Joe!

[GMFL]

Scott.,
If Airstream does not give you a new Globetrotter for this unit I would be very surprised.

[Camano20]

Scott the final details are looking wonderful.
Thank you again for the tour of this piece of history.
Hope to stop by again to see the final product
Good luck with the new building. Will be nice to get it and your other projects under cover.

[goransons]

The little things seem to endlessly take up time (and money). After some work from a sheet metal shop with their laser and a talented glass guy we have reproduction port hole Hehr roof vents like we could see in one of the overhead shots.

[GMFL]

Wow
Scott did you reproduce the whole thing?

[goransons]

I took apart 3 original Hehr roof vents, had them laser cut the outer and then the inner (2 different diameters) then had an old time glass shop cut some vintage glass with the same texture as the original and install.

[GMFL]

You are truly a restoration artist. I am so glad that trailer found you and your uncompromising efforts.
You Sir, have done a good thing.

[Bubba L]

Scott, were the glass portholes in the Hehr roof vents standard for the 55s or an option? Friends of ours had an Ohio built 55 FC that had the same. Just wondering. Thanks

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Bubba L

Scott, were the glass portholes in the Hehr roof vents standard for the 55s or an option? Friends of ours had an Ohio built 55 FC that had the same. Just wondering. Thanks

This an excellent question that I, for one, do not know the answer to. Wally Byam had these covers on at least some of the Airstreams he used. I have heard of them on a couple of other Airstreams, but most seem to not have had them. Were they a rare option or an aftermarket customization? Don't know. Maybe someday an early price list will turn up that shows them listed.