Wanderer - What Year Was It Born ?

eikel1we · 11-04-2002, 12:02 AM

I have noticed the WANDERER is listed as a 1957 on the AS "by year site" and as a 1955 in the "photo archives". The WANDERER is listed as being made only one year.... I am curious as to which one is the correct year.

InsideOut · 11-05-2002, 07:04 PM

There is a Brooklin Model that is available on ebay (& elsewhere) says it's a "1953" Wanderer...

So...who knows?

Shari

ironfem200 · 09-10-2005, 09:14 PM

Interesting...and confusing. I have a 55 Wanderer...any thoughts?

**Janet** · 09-10-2005, 09:29 PM

Hi there... Don't know much about wanderers - but welcome to the forums. Some one should be able to shed some light....

uwe · 09-11-2005, 09:38 AM

This needs to be Coldwelled.

Jim & Susan · 09-11-2005, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uwe

This needs to be Coldwelled.

Coldwelled? I'm still learning the terms of the trade here. What the heck is coldwelled?

wkerfoot · 09-11-2005, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim & Susan

Coldwelled? I'm still learning the terms of the trade here. What the heck is coldwelled?

I believe that it means researched by Fred Coldwell.

Bill

Jim & Susan · 09-11-2005, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

I believe that it means researched by Fred Coldwell.

Bill

Ok, and I'm embarassed to ask, but is he "the" Airstream historian, private guru or something along those lines? I'm asking out of pure ignorance.

wkerfoot · 09-11-2005, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim & Susan

Ok, and I'm embarassed to ask, but is he "the" Airstream historian, private guru or something along those lines? I'm asking out of pure ignorance.

If you don't ask you won't know. Now everyone who reads this thread knows. Yes, he is the Vintage Airstream Club Historian.

Bill

47WeeWind · 09-11-2005, 07:23 PM

Jim:

I'm one of a number of people who research old Airstream trailers. I was the Archive Historian for the Vintage Airstream Club from 1999 to 2005, and wrote many articles describing old Airstreams that appeared in The Vintage Advantage, the VAC magazine. Presently, I'm the Chairman of the Historical Committee for the WBCCI and a regular columnist for Airstream Life. My forum name is 47 Wee Wind. Do a search under that name for my old posts and you will see I stick pretty much to historical facts before 1969. If I ever sat on the porch with Trent Lott, the conversation would be strictly limited to old travel trailers.

wkerfoot · 09-11-2005, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47WeeWind

Jim:

...If I ever sat on the porch with Trent Lott, the conversation would be strictly limited to old travel trailers.

Fred,

and Dodge PowerWagons?

Bill

Jim & Susan · 09-11-2005, 08:40 PM

Fred, My humble apologies. I’ve noticed your handle on the ‘Forum here many times but didn’t put 2+2 together. I guess I should stick a crowbar in my wallet and join the VAC and subscribe to Airstream Life! This might have the affect of increasing my knowledge of the hobby as well as learning some of the finer points and people!

I’ve got to ask, what does Senator Lott have to do with any of this? (Trying to be nonpolitical here). Does he own a vintage model? (LOL!)

BTW, you must have the oldest Vintage trailer of all 'Forum members. Anybody ever take a poll on that?

Jim

47WeeWind · 09-11-2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironfem200

Interesting...and confusing. I have a 55 Wanderer...any thoughts?

"Wanderer" first appears in the 1954 model year. The 1954 18' Wanderer had the kitchen in the front street side area, with an optional toilet in the front curbside corner. Rear beds could be a crossways double or lengthwise twins. By contrast, the 1954 18' Globe Trotter had a center curbside kitchen, a rear crossways double bed and a front dinette. The 1954 Wanderer and Globe Trotter both retailed for $2,660.00. These initial 1954 floorplan differences changed in later years.

R.J. Dial's web site at http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...betrotter.html pictures a 7 panel Ohio built 1957 18' name plate Wanderer with a mid body street side kitchen, so the name was used again in 1957.

For 1954, the Wanderer appeared only on a single sheet flyer and not in the full line catalog. The same could hold true for 1955, as it does not appear in the full line catalog, but I don't have a copy of the single sheet flyer if one was printed. I don't have any 1956 sale literature at all, and very little 1957 sales literature, so those years presently are very poorly documented.

Ironfem200, what is the serial number on your 1955 Wanderer? Does it have a "Wanderer" name plate attached? Where is the kitchen located? Pictures would be great! Thanks,

ironfem200 · 09-25-2005, 03:32 PM

Thanks Fred, for the information on my 55 Airstream. Her serial number is: 3178. The kitchen is located on the center curb side, next to the door. There is no plate stating she is a Wanderer; the guy I bought her from thinks that's the model name--but like me, I suspect he knows close to nothing about Airstreams. I look forward to any wisdom.
Anne-Marie