Sad End to a Rare Trailer

[Mulligan]

Yesterday we went to London to view our daughters Degree show at Central Saint Martins, Great show by talented youngsters and especially my daughter.

The only downside to the day was to see this VERY rare trailer used to vend food and drinks from, so sad !!
Early 50's i think 13 panel end caps
2 doors both with door within door,
i tried to find serial but could not see,
Yes it has some bumps and small dings but so do I, it was far to rare and good to end up like this. http://www.airforums.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif


http://www.airforums.com/forums/atta...1&d=1401194524

[andreasduess]

Central Saint Martins. That brings back memories - it's where I started out.

And yes, shame about the trailer. Wonder how it ended up there.

[wkerfoot]

Mulligan,

Looks like a 1953/54 Double Door 29' Liner. Now I know where another one is.

Thanks,

Bill

Originally Posted by Mulligan

Yesterday we went to London to view our daughters Degree show at Central Saint Martins, Great show by talented youngsters and especially my daughter.

The only downside to the day was to see this VERY rare trailer used to vend food and drinks from, so sad !!
Early 50's i think 13 panel end caps
2 doors both with door within door,
i tried to find serial but could not see,
Yes it has some bumps and small dings but so do I, it was far to rare and good to end up like this. http://www.airforums.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif


http://www.airforums.com/forums/atta...1&d=1401194524

[Melody Ranch]

Sad, Sad, Sad!

[AWCHIEF]

To me this is not sad at all. It is not sitting unused rotting and falling apart in some farmers field. I like seeing these old trailers being repurposed. In the States more and more people are discovering that vintage trailers make excellent platforms for commercial purposes.

[Royce]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

To me this is not sad at all. It is not sitting unused rotting and falling apart in some farmers field. I like seeing these old trailers being repurposed. In the States more and more people are discovering that vintage trailers make excellent platforms for commercial purposes.

I agree completely. It could have been chopped up for scrap. At least this way people get to see it. It may help to promote interest in restoration to travel use of other vintage units.

[Melody Ranch]

If you think this double door had ANY chance of being scrapped your living in a different Universe. Granted, there are many others which could and should be repurposed. NOT this one. I do respect the owners choice....it is theirs to do with as they please.

[moosetags]

I guess that I tend to agree that an Airstream in use is an airstream saved. Too many of these proud old travelers end up rotting in a field. They eventually get to the point of decay that they are not worth saving. Those are the really sad cases.

I actually enjoy seeing these old road warriors dispensing hot dogs and enchiladas. There are six of these old guys in downtown Seaside in the Florida Panhandle engaged in various culinary duties.

Brian

[Mulligan]

I Don't have issues with an old shabby trailer that gets saved from the scrap/breakers yard being re-deployed
But trust me this old girl was a long way from being like that

[msmcv51]

It is only sad when they are left to rot. Close to me there is a 59 28" Ambassador, The first year they made the model and this one was fifth of the line. It has not moved or been used since 1992. The interior is in pristine condition and the exterior is covered with a thick layer of dirt. I offered her what Jackson Center said it is worth. Her idea of its worth was five times the offer and that she would rather sell it for scrap than take my offer. It is so sad because she said that it was her fathers pride before he died.

[Mulligan]

Originally Posted by andreasduess

Central Saint Martins. That brings back memories - it's where I started out.

And yes, shame about the trailer. Wonder how it ended up there.

CSM, is in a new building now, at the side of St Pancras and Kings Cross stations.
The Airstream went in about 2 years ago, when the building opened.

[Mulligan]

Hi Bill,

It looked longer than 29ft
i would say 31/32ft

Cheers
Tim

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Mulligan,

Looks like a 1953/54 Double Door 29' Liner. Now I know where another one is.

Thanks,

Bill

[MYater]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

To me this is not sad at all. It is not sitting unused rotting and falling apart in some farmers field. I like seeing these old trailers being repurposed. In the States more and more people are discovering that vintage trailers make excellent platforms for commercial purposes.

I would have to agree with you, this is still towable, and is in use. We've all seen the back lot trailers that were not. Anybody else who recognizes this as an AS and what it is (as far as age), should also recognize that it is still alive and being used.

I'm just glad it's still alive! So it is not the end.

[wkerfoot]

There is a 32' listed on the Vintage Airstream Photo Archive site, but unfortunately no pictures.

Regardless, a unique trailer.

Bill

Originally Posted by Mulligan

Hi Bill,

It looked longer than 29ft
i would say 31/32ft

Cheers
Tim

[RVDreamer]

I don't understand what is so sad about it.

Old trailers have many uses and it seems to me that this one is being put to good use for many to enjoy. It's not like it is just being neglected and left to rot, as others have mentioned.

[Mulligan]

Originally Posted by RVDreamer

I don't understand what is so sad about it.

Old trailers have many uses and it seems to me that this one is being put to good use for many to enjoy. It's not like it is just being neglected and left to rot, as others have mentioned.

IF you don't understand whats sad about it, you don't really appreciate vintage trailers and the work that enthusiasts do to keep them going,
Its like someone buying a vintage Rolls Royce Silver Ghost and not appreciating its history and turning it into a ratrod,

[whitsend]

Originally Posted by Mulligan

IF you don't understand whats sad about it, you don't really appreciate vintage trailers and the work that enthusiasts do to keep them going. Its like someone buying a vintage Rolls Royce Silver Ghost and not appreciating its history and turning it into a ratrod,

So very well said Mulligan. As far as any restoration or renovation is concerned, where there is a will (passion), there will always be a way. Expensive? Of course. Worth the cost? To some of us, it will always be yes. I agree with Melody Ranch - it hurts to see a very rare model being used to schlepp hot dogs (or even a really good schwarma). The more common vintage units? Yes, a good repurpose is better than scrapping it. Beside that , a repurposed Airstream can ALWAYS be repurposed back to its original purpose .

[kposey]

I am glad to see it in use also. We found a 1945 WeeWind sitting in a back yard. Was in horrible shape. Windows out, door would not close, even a tree growing through it! That was a sad day, indeed.

[whitsend]

Kposey - I hope you rescued that WeeWind?? In the condition you describe, the owner "should" have let it go really cheaply, so you could insure it didn't become a case of beer, or a Toyota :-)

[PLVMB]

Did you grab a bite to eat?