Research by WBCCI Number?

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by ArtisanAir

I've got a couple you could help me with please.

First pic is a 1960 tradewind
Second (which am surprised it has a sticker, or maybe a knock off) is a Avion C-10 truck top.

Thanks in advance!

First, let's address the Avion. There used to be an Avion club. I think their numbers were more squarish than WBCCI numbers, so that's an Avion club number and I cannot help.

Regarding the WBCCI number, the trouble with that is that 8505 was not first assigned by WBCCI until 1963 (and would thus first appear in the 1964 Membership Directory) and back then most Airstreams joined the club immediately when new. Given that this number could not have been applied to 1960 Airstream when new, it is hard to guess when it was applied. Also, the numbers are not extremely faded, which means they might be much newer than having been applied in 1963. Also, the club reuses numbers a couple of years after a member does not renew their membership. #8505 has been assigned as follows according to the Membership Directories:

1964-66: Dr. Ray & Mary Koch, Kankakee, IL, no caravans.
1967: Unknown (I am missing this directory)
1968-1980: Wilbur & Ciela Detter, Archibald, OH, Caravan 56-Western Mexico Winter 1968 & Caravan 67-Eastern Canada Summer 1969.
1981-82: Unassigned
1983-87: Glen & Maxine Pipins (or Pippins), Dexter, MO, no caravans.
1988-89: Unassigned
1990-92: Harold & Juanita Pomeroy, Lebanon, OH, no caravans.
1993+: Unassigned (I only spot checked a few directories, so it is possible someone else had this number for a year or two, but that would be it)

Given that you are in Kentucky, I would say that any of the couples that were assigned #8505 are close enough that it would be reasonable for their Airstream to have eventually made it's way to Kentucky, but I cannot offer any guess as to which one (or ones) most likely owned it other than to note that Lebanon, OH is closest to Edgewood, KY of the possible choices. Given that distance and the lack of fading on the numbers, maybe the Pomeroy's would be my most likely guess since they were also the last to be assigned 8505. But that's still just a guess.

Hope this helps.

[newas4mark]

Hello. I have a 1968 Sovereign that I purchased in July of 2014. I am working on a omelette rebuild, and wonder if you can provide any information for me. The WBCCI number is 14752. I believe it has been in Michigan for quite a while. Thanks in advance for any information....
Mark


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[newas4mark]

Hmmmm. An omelette rebuild? No, a complete rebuild.... Oops.


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[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by newas4mark

Hello. I have a 1968 Sovereign that I purchased in July of 2014. I am working on a omelette rebuild, and wonder if you can provide any information for me. The WBCCI number is 14752. I believe it has been in Michigan for quite a while. Thanks in advance for any information....
Mark

Originally Posted by newas4mark

Hmmmm. An omelette rebuild? No, a complete rebuild.... Oops.

Hi Mark,
Yeah, I had never heard of an "omelette rebuild" before, but I've certainly had some interesting auto-correct words, so that makes more sense.

Regarding #14752, it was first assigned in very late 1965 obviously before your 1968 Sovereign was built. #14752 thus should first appear in the 1966 Membership Directory, but is missing. I am missing the 1967 Membership Directory, but assume that what is shown in 1968 likely was the same in 1967 and would have been the same in 1966. According to the Membership Directories, #17452 has been assigned as follows:
1968-70: William A. & Rose Blake, Adelanto, Calif., caravan 66 - Western Canada - Summer 1969. (likely 1966-67, too)
1971-74: George & Elsa Weber, Scottsbluff, Neb. (1971) & Denver, CO (1973-74), no caravans.
1975-76: Unassigned
1977-92: Donald A. & Donna Howard, Lapeer, MI, no caravans.
1993-Current: Unassigned

It thus seems likely that the Howard's owned your 1968 Soveriegn since they were in Michigan, but I would doubt the Blake's and/or Weber's owned it unless it is a California built trailer. I would typically expect a vintage Airstream found in Michigan to be an Ohio built trailer, although it is not impossible that a California trailer might be found in Michigan.

That's all I got. Enjoy that Sovereign!

[newas4mark]

Thanks for the information... A quick Google search showed that Donald Howard passed away in 2013, so I won't be able to talk with him. My trailer is definitely an Ohio build, so I think you are correct. I am enjoying the rebuild process. Hopefully we will be able to use it some this summer. Aluminum tent?
Mark


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[AudioMike]

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

This is another toughie and may cause some doubt about what you were told about the prior history of your 1966 Safari. #17012 was first assigned in 1966 which is very appropriate for a 1966 Airstream. #17012 should thus first appear in the 1967 Membership Directory, but this is the only issue I am currently missing. From 1968 onward, #17012 was assigned as follows:
1967: Unknown
1968-1983: Fred R. & Ruth Kruger, Sebago Lake, ME (Maine, not Colordo), caravans 56, 63, & 84.
1984+: Unassigned (spot checked several, but not all issues)

So, what are the possibilities for your 1966 Safari?

1. #17012 was assigned to someone possibly in/near CO/WY in 1966 and was then reassigned to the Krugers in Maine the next year. This is very unlikely (but not impossible), because when a member does not renew, their number is typically reserved for a couple of years before being reasigned to someone else. Exceptions exist and often occur when a member sells their Airstream and informed the club that they will not be renewing, so that the new owner can get the same WBCCI # that is already on the trailer. This seems unlikely in this case.

2. The Krugers bought your Airstream when new and that is when the 17012 was assigned. How and when the Airstream got from Maine to Colorado, we do not know. This option brings the possibility that the Krugers may have taken your Safari on some or all of these caravans:
- 56 - Western Mexico Winter 1968
- 63 - Yucatan Winter 1969
- 89 - Mexico Fall 1972

3. Someone else owned your Safari after 1984 and joined the club but likely did not remain in the club very long, possibly being a "one and done" that joined after a Membership Directory was published, but not renewing and thus not being listed in the following Directory. I consider this unlikely, because by 1984 most new members were getting reassigned 4 digit numbers and generally only got 5 digit numbers if they bought a used Airstream that already had a 5 digit number on it. Also, it would be a coincidence if they joined in the 1980s or later with a 1966 Airstream and just by chance got randomly assigned a number that has been first assigned in 1966.

I actually believe that option #2 is the most likely. The Kruger's may very well have bought your Safari new, but they might have changed trailers some time during their time in the club, possibly soon after 1966. If they sold it on their way to or from one of their Mexico caravans, they could have sold it somewhere near Colorado. Mind you, this is just speculation, but such a scenario could support the contention that your 1966 Safari has been in/near Colorado most of it's life. On the other hand, if the Krugers sold it in 1983 or so when they did not renew in the club and it then made it's way to Colorado, that would still be a long time in that area.

That's all I got. Enjoy that Safari!

Awesome information Joe. I think you are right on your assessment. I do know that in recent years the trailer was parked in a trailer park and not drive, not sure how long that was. The owner/occupant passed away and the trailer was acquired by a gentleman in Broomfield Colorado that owned it for a number of years before selling it to me. I am very happy to have some history on this trailer, and it looks like it did some great traveling.

[tmitchellsea]

We recently purchased a 1970 International Overlander and are beginning a slow restoration. It has the WBCCI number 10009 on it. We would like to gather as much of this AS's history as possible. Its serial number is 127T0-S204. Is the original WBCCI number available?

Thanks

Tom

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by tmitchellsea

We recently purchased a 1970 International Overlander and are beginning a slow restoration. It has the WBCCI number 10009 on it. We would like to gather as much of this AS's history as possible. Its serial number is 127T0-S204. Is the original WBCCI number available?

Thanks

Tom

Hi Tom,
We can't tell you anything about where your Overlander has been based upon the serial number, but it does confirm it is a 1970 International 27' Overlander with twin beds that was built in the Cerritos, CA plant. The leading "1" should really be an "I":
I = International
27 = 27' Overlander
T = Twin Beds
0 = 1970
S = Built in Cerritos, CA
204 = Sequential Serial Number

Regarding the WBCCI #10009, I can tell you that it was first assigned in late 1963, obviously before your 1970 Overlander was built. The original assignees only remained in the club thru 1968, and the number was unassigned in 1969.

#10009 was then reassigned in 1970 to a new couple. Here is how#10009 has been assigned in Membership Directories from 1970 onward:

1970-75: Col. Chet H. and Inez Davis, Tacoma, WA, caravan 77 - Mexico Winter 1971.
1976-77: Unassigned
1978-79: J. O. Richardson, Albuquerque, NM
1980-82: Unassigned
1983-2002: Erwin & Elizabeth Michael, San Berdarino, CA, Caravans R82 - Las Vegas to Lake Placid Region 12 1985 & 158 - Eastern Canada Summer 1985.
2003+: Unassigned (only spot checked a few directories)

I would guess that that the Davis's bought your 1970 Overlander International when new in late 1969 and immediately joined the club since the 1970 Directory reflects membership as of 12/31/1969, and since #10009 was unassigned the previous year. This also makes sense because both the Davis's and you are located in Washington state. It thus seems probable that they took your Overlander on their caravan to Mexico in early 1971. I doubt the Mr./Ms. Richardson or the Michael's ever owned your Overlander because of the distance from Washington.

#10009 is unassigned in the current 2016 Membership Directory, so it is very likely it has not been assigned in the last month and is still available. You can contact the staff at club headquarters to confirm: membership@wbcci.org

That's all I got. Enjoy that Overlander!

[tinman54]

In 2008 when all the stars aligned our Cruiser found us. Her original club number was "20731"? I gave her my own number(anniversary date) since I finished her restoration about the same time as my wife and I's 25th anniversary now it is "51086" I would appreciate any info you might have on her past life?
Thanks Doug

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by tinman54

In 2008 when all the stars aligned our Cruiser found us. Her original club number was "20731"? I gave her my own number(anniversary date) since I finished her restoration about the same time as my wife and I's 25th anniversary now it is "51086" I would appreciate any info you might have on her past life?
Thanks Doug

Hi Doug,
This one is a bit of a challenge because your 1954 Cruiser was built long before #20731 was first assigned by WBCCI in 1968 making it first appear the 1969 Membership Directory so that we cannot be sure when that number was actually applied to your Cruiser. Here is how #20731 had been assigned in Membership Directories over the years:
1969-70: Harry C. & Harriet Luiken, Steamboat Rock, Iowa, no caravans.
1971: Unassigned.
1972-80: R. L. Jr. & Rubye Brown, Ruston, LA, no caravans.
1981+: Unassigned (only spot checked a few directories).

So we are narrowed down to only two possibilities for you Cruiser. Since you are in Wisconsin, I would suggest that the Luikens but not the Browns likely owned your Cruiser unless you got if from far down south. Of course, these are guesses because the club does not keep records of Airstreams that were owned by members.

I would also guess that there may have been faint ghosts of a lower number below the 20731 since many if not most Airstreams joined the club in the early days and since many Airstreams have had multiple sets of numbers over the years. If the trailer has been polished, such evidence, if there was any, is likely gone now.

In any case, it seems like you have put an old Airstream back on the road. Definitely continue enjoying it!

[tmitchellsea]

Thanks for the great information. Really appreciate it.

I do have another question that maybe you can answer. Our 1970 has the AIRSTREAM name on the front but it is not in BLOCK letters but rather in CURSIVE letters. See attached pictures. Also, the band is painted blue from the mid section back only.

Can you shed any light on this style?

Thanks

Tom

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by tmitchellsea

Thanks for the great information. Really appreciate it.

I do have another question that maybe you can answer. Our 1970 has the AIRSTREAM name on the front but it is not in BLOCK letters but rather in CURSIVE letters. See attached pictures. Also, the band is painted blue from the mid section back only.

Can you shed any light on this style?

Thanks

Tom

Hi Tom,
Both were modifications by a former owner, possibly trying to make the Aistream look newer that it really was. It happens from time to time.

The first Airstreams to use as large blue stripe like that were the top of the line Excella 500 models from 1971 thru 1979, but these ran the full length of the trailer A half length blue stripe like is simulated on your trailer was used on many Airstreams from about 1980 to about 1987 or so.

The script Airstream was used on the front and rear of Airstreams from 1985 to about 1990.

[tinman54]

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

Hi Doug,
This one is a bit of a challenge because your 1954 Cruiser was built long before #20731 was first assigned by WBCCI in 1968 making it first appear the 1969 Membership Directory so that we cannot be sure when that number was actually applied to your Cruiser. Here is how #20731 had been assigned in Membership Directories over the years:
1969-70: Harry C. & Harriet Luiken, Steamboat Rock, Iowa, no caravans.
1971: Unassigned.
1972-80: R. L. Jr. & Rubye Brown, Ruston, LA, no caravans.
1981+: Unassigned (only spot checked a few directories).

So we are narrowed down to only two possibilities for you Cruiser. Since you are in Wisconsin, I would suggest that the Luikens but not the Browns likely owned your Cruiser unless you got if from far down south. Of course, these are guesses because the club does not keep records of Airstreams that were owned by members.

I would also guess that there may have been faint ghosts of a lower number below the 20731 since many if not most Airstreams joined the club in the early days and since many Airstreams have had multiple sets of numbers over the years. If the trailer has been polished, such evidence, if there was any, is likely gone now.

In any case, it seems like you have put an old Airstream back on the road. Definitely continue enjoying it!

Thanks for the information Joe! We have had a lot of fun and met a lot of nice people in our travels! Does the serial number help to search anything, out # is 6484?
Thanks Doug

[griff1957]

Hello,

I have a 1958 Flying Cloud serial number 0-3517

The WBCCI number on the front and back is #1882 and it has a family name of Hodgman painted on the side. Do you have any information on this trailer, when it was first registered and if it went on any caravans?

Any insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Jason

[Djsbabe]

I just bought a safari 1979 looks as if the numbers were 11266. I'd love some history

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by griff1957

Hello,

I have a 1958 Flying Cloud serial number 0-3517

The WBCCI number on the front and back is #1882 and it has a family name of Hodgman painted on the side. Do you have any information on this trailer, when it was first registered and if it went on any caravans?

Any insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Jason

Hi Jason,
#1882 was first assigned in 1958, so that is very appropriate for your '58 Flying Cloud. Being a lower 4-digit number, it has been reassigned several times over the years. #1882 was assigned in WBCCI Membership Directories as follows:
1958-1973: Willis & Helen Hodgman, Coldwater, MI, no caravans.
1974-75: Unassigned.
1976-77: Orland & Mary Ann Denny, Beloit, OH, no caravans.
1978-79: Unassigned.
1980-85: William & Dorothy Managan, Wheaton, IL (1980), Knoxville, TN (1985), no caravans.
1986-87: Unassigned.
1988-91: Homer H. & Jean Lutz, Oaklandon, IN (1988), Indianapolis, IN (1991), no caravans.
1992-93: Unassigned.
1994-95: Laurance & Greta Solomonson, Waterford, MI (1994), Bloomfield Hills, MI (1995), no caravans.
1996-2000+: Unassigned, but did not check much after 2000. Likely eventually reassigned again, but did not check due to privacy concerns.

This confirms the Hodgman's owned your Airstream. As for the others who were assigned #1882 over the years, since Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana are close to Michigan, it might be possible that some or all of them also owned your Flying Cloud, but I think it unlikely. Because in each case reassignment followed two years of unassignment, this suggests that #1882 was reassigned after the normal 2 year waiting period in each case and the number was just "randomly" assigned to a new member. If one of them bought your trailer and requested #1882 since it was already on the trailer, it would be a coincidence that it occurred after the 2 year waiting period. In such a case of the sale of a club member Airstream, the waiting period is often waived if the seller is not going to renew their membership in the club.

Sorry it was not on any documented caravans. Maybe take it on some of your own!

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Djsbabe

I just bought a safari 1979 looks as if the numbers were 11266. I'd love some history

#11266 was first assigned in 1964, well before your '79 Safari was built. #11266 was assigned in WBCCI Membership Directories as follows:
1965-80: Edward J. & Priscilla Haberman, Altadena, CA, no caravans.
1981-83: Unassigned.
1984-85: David & Diane Chambers, Owensboro, KY, no caravans.
1986-2006: Jack R. & Rose M. Fisher, Evansville, IN, no caravans.
2007+: Unassigned.

So what can we tell from this? I think it unlikely that the Haberman's updated to a new 1979 Airstream about a year before they dropped out of the club. That, and the fact that they were in California, yet you are in Michigan makes it unlikely they owned your 1979 Safari.

It seems more likely that the Chambers owned your 1979 Safari when they joined the club in 1984, but we cannot tell if they bought it new and waited 5 years to join the club, or perhaps if they bought it used in 1983 or 1984 and joined the club soon afterward. I suspect that they then sold the Safari to the Fishers, because Evansville is not too far from Owensboro, IN, and because there was no unassigned waiting period of 2 years before #11266 was reassigned.

That's all I got. Enjoy your Safari!

[Djsbabe]

Sweet, I shall join and respectfully request that number!
M

[Floorit]

Does anyone know anything about 11567??

[Moksha]

Hi Joe- I recently acquired a 1966 Globetrotter #21036. Can you tell me anything about my trailer and if these numbers are available? Thanks in advance for your help.