Just bought a 1959 airstream 18'. New here

[winebuff]

Hi, my name is Julie and I am from Oregon. I belong to the Oregon airstream unit and just bought a 1959 airstream 18 footer. It is currently being redone up in Washington and I will have it in 2-3 weeks. Anyone else here have the 18footer by chance? Would love to see pics and get any input you may throw my way as this one is new to me.

Just wanted to say hi as I am VERY excited to get this gem

[Kevin245]

Hi Julie,

Congratulations on the new rig. I see that you still have the 76 listed on your profile.

Good luck with your new project.

Kevin

[Woodywhite]

Hi Julie,

I don't have a 1959, but I do have a 1960, 18' Traveler. It's off by a year but do you still want info? If so, any target areas?

Congrats. My wife and I love our little old lady. She's got a few wrinkles but a lot of personality.

Bob

[winebuff]

Hi Bob
Thx for the reply. Would love to see pics of it if possible. Too funny. We have a 76 Overlander. We have close to the same airstreams and a year off on both

[Woodywhite]

Hi Julie,

Kinda cool how yours bookend mine. I fell into both of them serendipitously. The 18' has been on the road a few times but the 27' was too big for my old ford ranger to haul so has served as our guest cottage. Since we got the little girl, we haven't had to get the big sister road ready.

Anyway, here's a couple of exterior photos. We've been working on the functional stuff so haven't gotten around to even considering polishing her yet. Everything works and is mostly original inside. Including the plumbing which has required a number of repairs and will get a complete redo this year.

I'll send some inside photos tomorrow. When I was looking through my files, I realized I didn't have any pictures since we started cleaning up the inside and put the original cabinets back in place. She had been serving as an office behind a friends house for the prior ten years, but at least they had saved the parts.

Bob

[ddstech]

Nice forehead savers on the windows. Brilliant.

[winebuff]

Originally Posted by Woodywhite

Hi Julie,

Kinda cool how yours bookend mine. I fell into both of them serendipitously. The 18' has been on the road a few times but the 27' was too big for my old ford ranger to haul so has served as our guest cottage. Since we got the little girl, we haven't had to get the big sister road ready.

Anyway, here's a couple of exterior photos. We've been working on the functional stuff so haven't gotten around to even considering polishing her yet. Everything works and is mostly original inside. Including the plumbing which has required a number of repairs and will get a complete redo this year.

I'll send some inside photos tomorrow. When I was looking through my files, I realized I didn't have any pictures since we started cleaning up the inside and put the original cabinets back in place. She had been serving as an office behind a friends house for the prior ten years, but at least they had saved the parts.

Bob

Very nice!!! Thx for the pics. Hoping to get mine back from the guy who is restoring it in 2-3 weeks. Love your trailer!

[Woodywhite]

Here are some inside photos. The front bed and drawers were pulled in favor of an office desk. They saved the parts so I was able to reconstruct. When I was trying to figure out if it was original, I prowled the web and found Vintage Airstream Home. They have a nice archive of years and styles. It's amazing how different they all are.

Post some photos when yours comes home. I'd love to see how it changed in a years time.

Regards,
Bob

[Woodywhite]

Hi again Julie,

I was just looking at the photos of your '59. It is so similar to mine that I wonder if mine is a "Globester" instead of a "Traveler". I didn't remember a plaque in the closet so I looked again. Nope, no plaque. Do you know what makes a Globester different from a Traveler?

Bob

[winebuff]

I think yours is the Traveler because with the Globester, the stove is on the right side. Did it have a couch or a dinette? The Globester came with a couch but u could pay extra to get a dinette. They are REALLY similar though arent they? Love the pics. I willpost more when I get them. It cant come soon enough. Hoping to have it by the first or 2nd week of August. Thx for all your input

[winebuff]

whoops, sorry, just saw the couch. Mine doesnt have the hood above the stove. I think that is how u tell the difference though is where they put the stove.

[winebuff]

Here is a pic of the plans for the Globester which I found online.

[SilverHoot]

$2395.00 Base price
$100 for fridge
$120 for fridge with electric

Wowaa!

[Woodywhite]

Interesting. I love the plan view.

Other differences from mine (vs. the plan drawing)

1. Mine has a gaucho bed rather than a couch in front

2.My toilet is in the back as per the plan, but it faces rearward and actually has a second sink against the back wall. I guess that gives you the option of not having to walk 10 feet to wash your hands. Or, to wash your hands while you use the toilet.

3. I have a suicide door (see my older post about having to repair it).

4. The dining table is a separate piece. To put it in place, you take out the cutting board and slide the table in as shown below.

I don't know if it's common, but the rear bed is hinged so I can lift it and access the water tank area.

$2395. Wow. I am happy to note that when I bought mine, I can say that I got it for less than suggested retail price. We won't talk about what it's cost after the original purchase.

Bob

[winebuff]

Very cool! I love the idea of the table going onto the cutting board. May have to steal that My couch up front is actually a gaucho too. Clicks and pops out to make into a duble bed. Your trailer looks fantastic. Isnt this site great that we can share all of this!

[winebuff]

Here are some before pics and the restoration as it is going so far. Slow process but cant wait until it is done.

[winebuff]

A few more pics as it takes shape. Couch, which turns out into a double bed recovered with turquoise marine fabric. Friendly for dogs

[Woodywhite]

The turquoise is perfect. It just works. Our dog has to stay on the floor since my son (now 6'-2") take up the whole gaucho.

I noticed that you have three holes on the counter at the back of the stove. I have the same three holes and I assumed that a former owner had moved the sink and they were left over from the faucet re-do. Now I wonder if they are supposed to be a vent.

I'd love to see the after photos as well.

And yes, this site has been great. The knowledge base is so great and I've learned so much. Much easier than screwing up and learning the hard way.

Bob

[Woodywhite]

My wife was looking at your photos and noticed that your closet is only one door wide (with mirror). We have a closet with two doors. I wonder if your cabinet/closet space is shorter to allow the front bed to come out to a full double. Our front bed only slides out about 12 inches. So far it's enough for my son.''

I get a kick out of the subtle differences from trailer to trailer. I wonder how much you could personalize them when you ordered one new.

Bob

[SafariSteve]

Great trailer! I'm just down the road from you in Gresham. I've always love the Travelers and yours looks great!
-Steve