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basecamp · 01-29-2006, 07:36 PM

That is so cool, thanks for the pics. I got there on Dec 28, they must have moved them just before the factory went on Xmas break. I dropped off my trailer for repair just after Xmas and missed them.

rgesch · 01-29-2006, 07:58 PM

Wally & Stella's Gold Trailer was on diplay at International Rally in Springfield, Mo in '05. Wasn't expecting to see that! A bonus...

**azflycaster** · 02-02-2006, 12:45 AM

Here is a picture of the trailer from the 75th year video. I am not sure of the year the photo was taken.

Sky · 10-27-2008, 08:40 PM

Howdy folks

I was at the factory a couple weeks ago and didn't see the gold trailer parked out front.

I was going to ask them about it, but forgot.

Anyone know what happened to it? It sure was a unique looking trailer.

PeeWee · 10-27-2008, 08:59 PM

Actually this floor plan was requested by Stel on the 1956 European Caravan. I have a rough sketch Wally did.

There are three pictures.

One on the road with tire troubles, one in Oregon and one with the Gold Trailer in my Mother's driveway.

I owned the trailer for 7 years.

66Overlander · 10-27-2008, 09:01 PM

While I was at the factory a couple of weeks ago we took the plant tour. The tour leader noted that the gold annodized color was fading so the trailer was not on display. My memory fails me if he said it had just been moved indoors to halt the fading or if it was being reannodized to brighten the color. Guess I wasn;t totally paying attention. In any case, Airstream still has the trailer.

PeeWee · 10-27-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

While I was at the factory a couple of weeks ago we took the plant tour. The tour leader noted that the gold annodized color was fading so the trailer was not on display. My memory fails me if he said it had just been moved indoors to halt the fading or if it was being reannodized to brighten the color. Guess I wasn;t totally paying attention. In any case, Airstream still has the trailer.

When I sold the trailer in 1977, the clever buyer tore out the enterior, put metal extrusion on the side, and just destroyed the trailer. Airstream bought the trailer back. I have furnished them with interior pictures to assist them with restoration. Also it must be noted the finish as it fades will either need to be painted or all of the aluminum replaced with newly annodized metal.

66Overlander · 10-27-2008, 09:45 PM

I can't remember where, but I once saw photo's of the Gold Trailer from it's "destroyed" period, likely in the 1980's with late model door, windows, and body side moldings, before Airstream restored it to it's former condition. Hard to beleive that anyone would ever make those kinds of modifications to such a historic trailer. Luckily it has been put back the way is was when Wally had it.

Nuvite-F · 10-27-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

While I was at the factory a couple of weeks ago we took the plant tour. The tour leader noted that the gold annodized color was fading so the trailer was not on display. My memory fails me if he said it had just been moved indoors to halt the fading or if it was being reannodized to brighten the color. Guess I wasn;t totally paying attention. In any case, Airstream still has the trailer.

Just wanted to comment that "re-anodizing" is not an option. "Iridite", "Alodine" and "Anodize" are all trade names for processes that deposit aluminum oxide on an aluminum surface. Iridite and Alodine both use oxidizing acids to oxidize the surface, but Anodizing produces a thicker oxide film by making the aluminum the anode in an electrolytic cell (hence the name). The current density used in Anodizing (amps per square inch of surface area) is quite high. The cell in which the original aluminum sheet was anodized must have had a mighty big power supply! There would be no way to anodize the whole trailer. I imagine that they built it of sheet that came anodized right from the mill. I also imagine that they quickly determined that it wasn't that great an idea. The color of anodized surfaces comes from organic dyes with which the newly-formed oxide layer is saturated, and as everybody has seen, the colors fade rapidly (and unevenly) when exposed to sunlight.

And, I don't know how they could remove the anodized surface if they wanted to, since it is incredibly hard. I needed to remove an anodized surface from an aluminum plate once (in order to make good electrical contact--aluminum oxide is a good insulator) and ended up milling it off with a milling machine. And I ruined a couple of end mills before I figured out that you had to take a deep cut to get under the oxide film-kinda like machining the scale off of an iron casting!

Grand Master · 10-27-2008, 10:00 PM

Here is a picture of Wally's gold Airstream when it was new and towed by an International decked out for his trip to Africa. Note: on the bed signage it says "Bible Land"

The second picture is Wally in his safari outfit. I'm the youngster on the left with the plaid shorts.

Mike Brumback
WBCC #1200

Nuvite-F · 10-27-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grand Master

The second picture is Wally in his safari outfit. I'm the youngster on the left with the plaid shorts.
Mike Brumback
WBCC #1200

Cool! What the heck is Wally wearing around his waist--a girdle?!

wkerfoot · 10-27-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grand Master

Here is a picture of Wally's gold Airstream when it was new and towed by an International decked out for his trip to Africa. Note: on the bed signage it says "Bible Land"

The second picture is Wally in his safari outfit. I'm the youngster on the left with the plaid shorts.

Mike Brumback
WBCC #1200

Mike,

Quite a pair of pictures, thank you.

Bill

SafariSS · 10-27-2008, 10:12 PM

I was at JC back in late September and the gold trailer was on the side lot by they new units. It was kinda by where the European exports were sitting by a couple of other circa 60s units. I did not think the trailer was in bad exterior condition, my kids went ape over it after seeing it in several books.

Kinda reminds me how short life is.........get out there and have some fun!

3Ms75Argosy · 10-27-2008, 10:16 PM

Cool! Actually, there's a pic of the "modernized" trailer in the AS history book. I also noted that Pee Wee's pics show it had GOLD propane tanks! How cool is that!
Thanks for the pics!
Marc

Grand Master · 10-27-2008, 10:22 PM

As I remember, it was a wide web belt that had three (3) leather buckles in the front. I assume it was part of the great white hunter's official outfit if you were going on safari.

Mike Brumback
WBBC# 1200

InsideOut · 10-27-2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grand Master

Here is a picture of Wally's gold Airstream when it was new and towed by an International decked out for his trip to Africa. Note: on the bed signage it says "Bible Land"

The second picture is Wally in his safari outfit. I'm the youngster on the left with the plaid shorts.

Mike Brumback
WBCC #1200

THANK YOU for the way cool pics Mike! I can't decide which one I like better...you in your spiffy plaid shorts or the gold trailer & Vespa scooter on the front of the truck! Being that we just got 1963 Vespa scooters, I think it just nudges you out...sorry ~

It must have been so cool to have been on that trip...

Shari

PeeWee · 10-27-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grand Master

Here is a picture of Wally's gold Airstream when it was new and towed by an International decked out for his trip to Africa. Note: on the bed signage it says "Bible Land"

The second picture is Wally in his safari outfit. I'm the youngster on the left with the plaid shorts.

Mike Brumback
WBCC #1200

To the left of Wally, behind his truck is Arthur Ruiz. You may have seen his wife Toni on History Detectives this summer. Art was our mechanic and caboose in Africa and went on with the European section of the Caravan in Europe 1960.

PeeWee · 10-28-2008, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grand Master

Here is a picture of Wally's gold Airstream when it was new and towed by an International decked out for his trip to Africa. Note: on the bed signage it says "Bible Land"

The second picture is Wally in his safari outfit. I'm the youngster on the left with the plaid shorts.

Mike Brumback
WBCC #1200

Global politics are always an "edge-of-your-seat" proposition. When the 1959 African Caravan was drawn up on paper, it was to reach Bethlehem, Jordan by Christmas.

In 1959 to obtain a visa for Jordan, you had to prove your religious belief. Specifically a baptism certificate. Well we didn't make Bethlehem by Christmas, we did arrive, and we did tour Jordan and Syria.

For political reasons Wally did a repaint on his truck to read Near East, not the Bible Land. My Scout Truck, and Arthur Ruiz's Truck also had Near East painted on each side of the truck.

Chuck · 10-28-2008, 08:04 AM

I was at the factory on 9/10 of this year, and the trailer had been moved to the SW corner of the front parking lot. I almost forgot about it, too, but at the end of the tour, I realized that I hadn't seen it. So I asked the guide, and he told me where to find it. But the gates at the factory were closing up, and I couldn't go right up to it. So, on my way out of town, I pulled into the local Dr.'s office parking lot, which abuts the AS property...walked over and snapped a couple of pics of it.

flyfshr · 10-28-2008, 08:35 AM

PeeWee ~

That's quite a scout truck camper package. Looks like a center section of a trailer had flat ends put on it and then dropped onto a truck frame. I also see Wally number 1 trailer just over the hood in the picture. I take it that is this famed gold trailer too?

Brad
FF