Visit our Popular Forums

smallville · 03-08-2012, 01:54 PM

Ok I have a chance to buy a 1963 Bambi, The asking price seams to be a little high but it does appear in restorable shape, and its been sitting for for around 2 decades!. The #'s on the side by the front door are 193D236 and also T0024670. I cant find these #'s to match anything on the web sites... Could someone tell me if this is a 63? And the value of it? Thanks alot! I hope to be on the road next summer!

ROBERT CROSS · 03-08-2012, 02:11 PM

On our 63 Safari... the first two numbers=22 length, 3 the third=year.
T=twin bed, 344 production number.

Bob

InsideOut · 03-08-2012, 02:14 PM

Based on the VIN # you posted (193D236) it's an Ohio-built GlobeTrotter, not a Bambi which means it's 19' long instead of 16'.

Check this out:

1963 GlobeTrotter

Also see these:

Price vs Condition and Restoration Resources

Shari

smallville · 03-08-2012, 02:23 PM

Thats the strange part...It says Bambi on the same metal plate that the #'s are. Im heading back out to measure it!

smallville · 03-08-2012, 02:25 PM

Also do I measure from the tounge to the bumper? Thanks!

InsideOut · 03-08-2012, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smallville

Also do I measure from the tounge to the bumper? Thanks!

Airstream lengths are measured including the bumper & tongue...the body will be approx. 3' shorter.

If this is the one currently on eBay (Item #170799184048) in MN, the pictures are of a Bambi...the small window & louvers on the back are typical of Bambi's and not found on GlobeTrotters. Why it has a GlobeTrotter VIN#, I don't know.

The strange thing to me is the eBay seller's name is smallville3.3...any relation?

Shari

smallville · 03-08-2012, 02:30 PM

Yes its the same one! Also it says in was made in Cal??

smallville · 03-08-2012, 02:35 PM

Yes very close relation

InsideOut · 03-08-2012, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smallville

Yes its the same one! Also it says in was made in Cal??

What are you basing that on? The "blue plate" next to the door like the earlier photo posted here? The VIN # is definitely an Ohio VIN #. Do you have any more pictures of it or the plate?

Shari

smallville · 03-08-2012, 02:41 PM

Im heading out to my buddys house now. I will have more info on this AS soon. And last time I looked at it I dont think the plate looked like the blue one at all, But my buddys dad has had it for along time and he called me to tell me that he put it on ebay, so my head has been turning. I wanted it years ago and now I have the chance

InsideOut · 03-08-2012, 02:43 PM

BTW, here is the info page for the 1963 Bambi

It's VIN# should start with 163---- instead of 193---- The first two numbers indicate the length, the third number indicates the year. "T" or "D" indicate twin or double bed(s) and the last three numbers are the production number.

Good luck!

Shari

Bambified · 03-10-2012, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Based on the VIN # you posted (193D236) it's an Ohio-built GlobeTrotter, not a Bambi which means it's 19' long instead of 16'.

Check this out:

1963 GlobeTrotter

Also see these:

Price vs Condition and Restoration Resources

Shari

A Bambi without a title is worth a lot less than a Bambi with a title, and few Bambis are ever junked. If the Bambi you are looking to purchase was stolen or the the title was lost, the owner (or a previous owner) may have taken an ID plate and title from a junked Globetrotter and placed it on the Bambi so the Bambi could be sold with a title. Just a thought.

InsideOut · 03-10-2012, 02:24 PM

Hmmm...I had the same thought.

Shari

Shacksman · 03-10-2012, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smallville

Ok I have a chance to buy a 1963 Bambi, The asking price seams to be a little high but it does appear in restorable shape, and its been sitting for for around 2 decades!. The #'s on the side by the front door are 193D236 and also T0024670. I cant find these #'s to match anything on the web sites... Could someone tell me if this is a 63? And the value of it? Thanks alot! I hope to be on the road next summer!

That is a 63 Bambi, but it seems to have a replaced serial number plate like this from VTS Airstream Serial Number Plate
The number should be stamped as 163D236. Maybe someone got it wrong when re stamping.
In that condition it should easy be worth $7500 - $8000

Frank's Trailer Works · 03-10-2012, 02:58 PM

That is for sure an incorrect serial number.

Bambified · 03-11-2012, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shacksman

That is a 63 Bambi, but it seems to have a replaced serial number plate like this from VTS Airstream Serial Number Plate
The number should be stamped as 163D236. Maybe someone got it wrong when re stamping.
In that condition it should easy be worth $7500 - $8000

Regarding my comment on a possible swapped plate, you could be right, It might be a stamping mistake on a new replacement plate. Its hard to say, given that some time in 1963 the Ohio built Bambi trailers went to a streetside bath like the California trailers, so the trailer could have been manufactured in Ohio in 1963 and have the shorter VIN# as you describe. I'm not sure, but I think the California trailers also had the year and month of manufacture stamped under the VIN # on the VIN plate (I know mine does).

I would be careful, though, because the ebay auction states "I will have clear title". I would avoid paying for it if a clear title is not presentable prior to any partial or complete payment for the trailer.

If in fact the VIN plate is an erroneous stamping of a replacement plate, I would also carefully examine the title to make sure it is consistent with the VIN plate. I've heard some real horror stories regarding mistakes on VIN #'s and non-matching titles, etc where the DMV has refused to register or issue a title on such a vehicle and the owner has been out of luck.

smallville · 03-14-2012, 10:30 AM

Ok I did buy the AS and the title and the vin match up, is there any other way to match the vin up. like on the frame? The only other #'s i can find on the frame are xd3-t36... I have listed it on ebay for sale. the plate seams to be original... could this be a factory mistake? also when you say streetside does that mean the driver side if your pulling it? it has the bathroom on the left or driver side. the last time it was titled was in mn in 89. everthing matches up....plate number and id plate and title...did they make Globetrotters in cal? if the plate says santa fe cal, does that mean it was made there? And if the vin says it was made in ohio then why does the plate say cal???? Im just confused. maybe i should list it with a bill of sale only if the title has been messed with.

smallville · 03-14-2012, 10:33 AM

Also the owner bought this AS from AZ.

InsideOut · 03-14-2012, 10:36 AM

The VIN # is also stamped on the tongue - usually on the curbside. (streetside = driver's side, curbside = passenger's side). It oftentimes is covered up with paint if the tongue has been painted over the years, but it's back towards the body on the top surface of the outside angled part of the tongue and the numbers are about 1/2" high.

You can also check out these two links to confirm whatcha got based on layout:

'63 Bambi
'63 GlobeTrotter

Both Bambi's & GlobeTrotters were made in both the CA & OH factories. The plates were interchangable or showed both Jackson Center & Santa Fe Springs on them. The VIN # style will confirm which you have, but it doesn't really matter - the variations are minor between the factories, one isn't better than the other they are just different based on local suppliers of the raw materials.

Shari

smallville · 03-14-2012, 11:15 AM

Have you seen the ID plate on the ebay pic? It does not show any signs of being tampered with or replaced. It is however a Bambi. And the only #'s on the tounge are XD3-136 not T36. Still not sure if it has the correct ID plate.. Even thou the title matched the plate. Thanks for the help also!