Newbie to Airstream world

[M.C]

Hi all, I just bought a gutted Globetrotter of 1967 or 68 I'm not so sure yet, ; I really had no idea about the Airstream world until now. We bought it with a bill of sale (no vin # tags or anything anywhere); and removing pieces to get the shell off I found a few numbers on the "A" frame.

MC-683
PAT No 2823931
YD7-160-K

I tried to decipher it but no luck. Please I need some help/advice or input to guide us through the identification of this trailer.
We'll get a new title as a home made trailer anyways but I'm curious to know which one we have.
Our plan is to rebuild it for my family to enjoy!.
Thanks in advance
M.C

P.S: I have attached a few pictures I hope it helps.

[moosetags]

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us. That's a really nice looking old Airstream. Best wishes on your project.

[BIGED52]

Just to the right of the entry door, and below the window should be an Airstream ID Plate that states Globetrotter. On that Plate should be a set of stamped in numbers and letters. These will contain your trailers vin #'s . Hope this helps, Ed

[M.C]

Thanks guys;
BIGED52 sorry but no name plate anywhere; thanks for the input though!

[ALUMINUMINUM]

My bet... It's 1967

I don't know what the frame stampings mean, your VN is on the missing plate by the door. Sometimes VN is on the A-frame, but maybe not your vintage. Keep looking.

1. curved corning-philips window without stainless edge trim (1966-1967)

2. Door hinge 1965-1967 (68- is different)

3. curb-side refrigerator access doors 1967-1968 (65-66 street side)

Of course, all this can vary with transitional build months. Your 67 could have been built in Aug 66 with series 1 windows) and which factory can make a difference.

If I were in your place I would search relentlessly for the original title. Home-Built title is legal, but the original title is a valuable document, even as a duplicate, it's out there somewhere.

It's great to have a fresh canvas to start with. 1967 GT is pretty close to the best Airstream camper ever built...

Globe Trotters Rule!!

[slpiotro]

Folks there are very helpful. Worth a shot.

[M.C]

Great lesson ALUMINUMINUM, I thought it was a 67 I been comparing pics from web for about a week or so; I'll try to get more info about the previous owner before the seller. Anyways I have a long way ahead with the rebuild process!
Later on I'll upload more pics, floor is already out and we're working on getting the shell off.
Thanks again!
M.C

[NavyCorpsman]

Cant help with the numbers, but want to welcome you to the nicest forum on the planet. My buddy has a 65 GT, well used but still going strong. The GT's are awesome for so many reasons. Good luck, and look forward to seeing your progress.
Clayton

[flygrrl]

Prob won't help but:
http://www.airstream.com/wp-content/...s-pre-1980.pdf
http://www.airstream.com/wp-content/...dsheet_60s.pdf
How to Research Airstream Travel Trailers by Their Number - Travel My Life
This last one appears to be the most helpful in deciphering the numbers you do have on the frame since you definitely have a 7. Double bed models have #'s over 500 and you have 683. Could it be MO-683, not MC-683? Shell (less tongue) 16'? With tongue 19'.
Now, do you think the toilet was on the curb or the street side? Is there a hole in the floor? If the hole is on the curb side it is an Ohio build, street side, California.
I would guess your serial # to be O197D-683
Just a guess, given all the info we have

[flygrrl]

The Airstream database is very vague for 1967. It just says J101-J665. I am assuming that below 500 are the twin #'s and over 500 are the double bed #'s.
So much was lost when the archives disappeared. It also looks like the late 60's trailers were only made in JC. But the California plant closed in '79 or '80. So yours could be either. Also they are calling the Globetrotters 20' at this point.
So...
J0207683 or
S0207683

I also found this in the forums from 47WeeWind in 2005

Quote;
S = California factory at Santa Fe Springs
O = Land Yacht [standard] trim level
20 = length in feet
5 = 1965 model year
003 = sequential serial number = third 20' 1965 trailer built in Calif. factory

Globe Trotter is the model name for the second shortest trailer made in most of the 1960s. GTs were 19' long from 1961-1964, 20' long from 1965-1968, and 21' long in 1969. Unquote.
__________________

[M.C]

Wow thanks!
This is what I have on the trailer under front window and bottom right side of entrance door.

[M.C]

This is what we've done so far,
Shell is ready to be lifted !

[flygrrl]

You were not kidding, that was a gutted trailer. I have never seen a hatch like that little one to the left of the door, wonder why they did that. It looks like the water heater was on the curb side so it prob was a Jackson Center build, with the toilet next to the water heater and the shower on the street side. The PO's did a bunch of mods, too bad they lost the ID plates etc.
You have a marvelous blank slate though. She will be gorgeous.

[flygrrl]

I wonder if Murphy's is still around? If so, do you think they would have records going back to '67?

[flygrrl]

Check this out, page 6 right column. He talks about Murphy Co.
ISSUU - Airstream Life Fall 2010 by Church Street Publishing, Inc.

[flygrrl]

Have you actually taken a tape measure and confirmed the length? On looking at the sideways pic in the dark, she looks quite long, longer than my globie.

[M.C]

Finally got the time to measure it, from ball to end bumper is 21'

[M.C]

More pics; check the hose conection on rear bumper street side( maybe indicate toilet side?), window to the left of entrance door ( probably they change it with plexiglass and add frame to it to shape it).

[flygrrl]

Yeah, she is longer than my Globie. Nice. Looks like you have the Corning curved windows, be very, very careful with those, I hear they are made of unobtanium.

[BIGED52]

M.C., From what I see in your pictures Your trailer would appear to be a 1967 22 foot Safari rather than a 20 foot Globetrotter! The way to know for sure would be to measure from the outside of the back bumper to the front edge of the hitch ball. The body/overall length will be shorter than 22 feet but that's how Airstream factory (measured) them. The picture with the louvered vents is for the water heater not for a refer. The windows do not have the edged stainless steel trim that would be factory for a '68 model, w/o trim is factory for a '66 or '67 model. I will keep looking at the rest of your photos but this is most likely a '67 model. I'll post back here if I see anything else that help to identify your trailer. The photo that shows the missing plate beneath the window where the faded glue remains of the dealer sticker is located is where your model serial/VIN plate should be. See if you can obtain any info from the seller you got the trailer from as to paperwork or registration that would show how the trailer was last licensed and the state that would allow you to search for more info. If you cannot get anything that way PM me and I may be able to share some other ways in which to might be able to Identify the trailer so you can get a title in your name. Hope this helps, Ed