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PeeWee · 02-01-2008, 10:19 AM

Fifty years ago the 1st International Rally was held in Bull Shoals, Arkansas. It tied in an annual meeting rally for friends that were separated only by miles, but not by common interests. The WBCCI was not three years old. There were Caravanners from 1951 through 1958, WBCCI members since 1955, and of course Wally Byam's birthday the Fourth of July. This was to be a birthday party, a celebration of Airstreaming.

Wally was very good friends with a Germany industrialist, whom manufactured trailers, his dear friend was Hans Knobel. (I will write more about Hans and Wally at a later date.) Hans and family also converted the VW vans to Combi buses.

Hans had this large plate carved for Wally to honor this first rally.

I'm sharing it with you as a 50th remembrance of a tradition that is alive and enjoy by thousands today.

Happy 50th International Rally in Bozeman, Montana.

"TO HAVE FUN!"

Dale "Pee Wee" Schwamborn

Minnie's Mate · 02-01-2008, 10:33 AM

How neat. Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece of history with us. I am so glad that you have joined our forum and are here to share Airstream's history first hand with us. We are fortunate to have you among us.

InsideOut · 02-01-2008, 10:37 AM

Very cool PeeWee! You keep pulling out all these wonderful surprises....thanks for sharing them with us all and keeping the true spirit of the club forefront! Friends gathering together to have fun and sharing their love of Airstreams!

Shari

**moosetags** · 02-01-2008, 10:45 AM

Thank you for sharing this with us.

**Stefrobrts** · 02-01-2008, 10:57 AM

Thank you PeeWee! I love learning out our WBCCI heritage. Please keep the wonderful history lessons coming! I enjoy them very much

PeeWee · 02-01-2008, 11:13 AM

There are many Airstreamers that are interested in the history of the Club, Airstream, Wally, Helen, and Stel. I have placed a considerable amount of information on the Sierra Neveda Unit's website.

Airstream and WBCCI History - PeeWee Schwamborn

I send new items all of the time. It is indexed with new items. Read on.

TO HAVE FUN

Pee Wee