Research by WBCCI Number?

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by RJJ

I'm in the process of getting my first Airstream! I'd like to know if the following numbers have history and whether any are available for reassignment:

0318
0348
31848

Thanks!

Hi RJJ,
Given the time involved, I do not look up numbers without information identifying the Airstream they are found on.

I can tell you that #318 and#348 are in the range below 1000 that is reserved for assignment to various WBCCI club officers and are not available to be used by the general membership.

#31848 would have first been assigned in 1979 and is likely available to be reassigned, but that answer must officially come from the WBCCI main office, because I only have copies of prior membership directories to check. I do not have access to the current "up to the minute" membership database. There is a small chance that this number has been recently reassigned, but it is unlikely since most new members request (or are assigned) 4-digit rather than 5-digit numbers. Some numbers up to the low 32000s are still in current use however, so 31848 would fit in with current usage.

[RJJ]

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

Hi RJJ,
~

#31848 would have first been assigned in 1979 and is likely available to be reassigned, but that answer must officially come from the WBCCI main office, because I only have copies of prior membership directories to check. I do not have access to the current "up to the minute" membership database. There is a small chance that this number has been recently reassigned, but it is unlikely since most new members request (or are assigned) 4-digit rather than 5-digit numbers. Some numbers up to the low 32000s are still in current use however, so 31848 would fit in with current usage.

Ah. Thanks for the info. I'll send my inquiry to WBCCI after I take delivery of my trailer.

I appreciate your time.

[calais66]

Looking for info on 9369 in the Northern California unit. Numbers are on a 1964 California made Safari. Thanks!

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by calais66

Looking for info on 9369 in the Northern California unit. Numbers are on a 1964 California made Safari. Thanks!

Hi Calais66,
#9369 was first assigned in the latter part of 1963, which could be appropriate for an early 1964 Airstream, since model changeover was probably somewhere between June and August back then. This number thus first shows up in the 1964 WBCCI Membership Directory and has been assigned as follows over the years:
1964-67: Cecil & Nina Morgan, Ferndale, MI (1964), Arcadia, MI (1965-67), no caravans.
1968: Airstream (would have been reserved for use by company employees).
1969: Wayne & Opal Geil, Oroville, CA, no caravans.
1970-82: Goldon & Esther Eeles, Sacramento, CA, no caravans (they were members of the WBCCI Northern California Unit).
1983-89: Unassigned.
1990: Bob & Jo Ann Smith, East Palatka, FL, no caravans.
1991+: Unassigned (but only spot checked a few directories).

So what can we guess from this (since WBCCI did not keep records of Airstreams owned by club members)?:

I'd guess that the Morgans probably DID NOT own a 1964 California built Safari, because they would have been much more likely to get an Ohio built Airstream, only living less than 3 hours from the Ohio Airstream factory.

I doubt that Airstream used the 1964 Safari during 1968 when #9369 was reserved for them. They would have tended to use a current model year Airstream to show off the latest design and features.

My best guess is that the Geils, Eeles, or likely both owned the 1964 Safari because they were both from near/in Sacramento, CA. I say both, because it was not typical to reassign a number with no unassigned years in between unless it involved the sale of an Airstream and the old members confirmed to the office that they would not be renewing their membership. I cannot say if the Eeles likely owned the 1964 Safari their entire time in the club, but it seems likely that they owned it at the start of their membership. They could have owned it the full time or upgraded to a newer or larger Airstream at some point. We have no way of knowing.

I really doubt the Smiths owned the 1964 Safari. They are too far away and the unassigned period before them suggests that they were just reassigned an unused number.

That's all I got! I hope the Northern California Unit members enjoy the Safari, especially knowing it was likely previously owned by unit members!

[micah4232]

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

Hi Micah,
Looking up who WBCCI numbers were assigned to in paper membership directories is time consuming, so I need to know what Airstream you are finding the numbers on. #21185 was first assigned in 1968. On the other hand, I do not understand what you mean by "limited app. 28 ft.". Airstream models with the "Limited" name were not made until the 1980s (other than a rare 1949 model that I do not believe had a model name plate). If you are inquiring about a 1980s or later Airstream, clearly I do not need to search earlier directories. If you identify the year and model of the Airstream, I will be happy to look up the number information.

I do not know any more info other than these pictures i want to buy this from someone but they do not have the title should i be worried?

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by micah4232

I do not know any more info other than these pictures i want to buy this from someone but they do not have the title should i be worried?

As to the identity of the Airstream, they did not start making 34' triple axle models until the 1982 model year so we need not look up information about who was assigned #21185 before 1982. Furthermore, the window configuration matches the 1982 to 1984 (or maybe 1985) time frame. The 34' interior layout and window locations were for sure different by 1986 (and maybe by 1985). The Limited was the top of the line model back then.

Here is how #21185 has been assigned in WBCCI Membership Directories since 1982:
1982-2006: Harry & Pearl Williams, Stockton, CA (1982), Largo, FL (2006 Pearl only), no caravans.
2007+: Unassigned.

This pretty much confirms that the Williams owned the 1982-1984/5 34' Limited in the photos, although we do not know which years they may have owned it.

As for buying without a title, that is a topic you can probably search for on these forums as I suspect that has been discussed a lot. Some states do not require titles for "older" trailers and the age at which a title is no longer required probably varies state by state. I suspect that a 30+ year old trailer would probably meet the age requirement for all states that don't require a trailer title. Those states may still require the trailer to be registered (i.e. for a license plate). I think the registration works in place of the title in those states.

For states that do require a title, I have heard that there are services that can get a title applied to an untitled trailer, but I have no first hand experience with that. I think they may do this by first registering the trailer in a state that does not require a title and then transferring it to a state that does . . . or something similar. I am not an expert on that, just have read a few comments about it in the past, so I cannot provide advice on whether that is a viable option.

Certainly buying without a title would seem to represent a greater risk than buying with a title, as far as a stolen or "totaled" trailer is concerned, though I am sure many have bought vintage Airstreams that way in the past.

While the body of the Airstream in the photos does not look like it was involved in a major accident, it is still possible for an insurance company to have "totaled" it if, for example, it was in a flood. I am not saying that is likely for this trailer, just illustrating one potential risk of buying without a title. A "totaled" trailer can be re-titled, but I believe it then has a "rebuilt" title.

Good Luck whatever you decide to do!

[calais66]

Awesome info! Thank you so much for doing all that digging!

[VaTravelers]

Hi, I am a new owner assigned 08487. Does anyone know the history?

[TR Anderson]

I recently purchased a 1972 25' Tradewind, from a young woman in Dryden, Michigan. It bears the number 15997 and a dealer tag from Northwoods RV in Mt Morris, Michigan. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Is there any information that can be gleaned from the serial number or VIN, like an automobile?

[HCFairstream]

recently acquired this airstream number 21307, any info on previous owners or history?

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by VaTravelers

Hi, I am a new owner assigned 08487. Does anyone know the history?

Hi VaTravelers and Welcome to WBCCI!!

Being that you do not have a vintage Airstream bearing the number 8487, I won't do a full lookup (it is time consuming looking thru old paper WBCCI Membership Directories), but I can tell you that #8487 was first assigned in 1963 to Frank & Evelyn Swartzel of Oregonia, OH. They remained in the club thru 1972, but did not participate on any recorded caravans. I did not check any further. Sorry. I am certain that this number has been reassigned, possibly a few times, since then and before it was recently reassigned to you.

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by TR Anderson

I recently purchased a 1972 25' Tradewind, from a young woman in Dryden, Michigan. It bears the number 15997 and a dealer tag from Northwoods RV in Mt Morris, Michigan. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Is there any information that can be gleaned from the serial number or VIN, like an automobile?

Hi TR,
WBCCI did not keep records of the Airstreams owned by club members, so we cannot tell you much from the serial number other than to confirm the year, model, and assembly location (Ohio or California, I'll bet Ohio) of your Airstream.

From the "big red numbers", though, we can make educated guesses about who may have owned your Airstream and what caravans they may have taken it on. #15997 was first assigned in 1966 before your 1972 Tradewind was made. Here is how #15997 has been assigned according to WBCCI Membership Directories:
1967-1986: Harold C. & Irene Kent, Flushing, MI (1967-68), McBain, MI(1970-71), Melbourne, FL (1972), McBain, MI (1973-77), Cadillac, MI (1978-86), no caravans, members of the Michigan Unit.
1987+: Unassigned (I spot checked several, but not all directories).

From the above information, we can be pretty sure that the Kent's owned your 1972 Tradewind, but we cannot know when. Did they upgrade to it when new in 1972? Or did they upgrade to it later when it was already a used trailer? They seemed to move around a bit, but mostly in Michigan. The one year in Florida, was probably where they wintered, likely in the "Airstream Only" Park that used to be in Melbourne, FL.

Maybe our paths will cross some day. If you ever check out WBCCI, I am in the Metro-Detroit Unit.

Have fun with your Tradewind!

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by HCFairstream

recently acquired this airstream number 21307, any info on previous owners or history?

Hi HCF, I don't have the time to do more research tonight, but it would help to know the year (and model) of the Airstream that #21307 is on. This number was first assigned in 1968.

[VaTravelers]

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

Hi VaTravelers and Welcome to WBCCI!!

Being that you do not have a vintage Airstream bearing the number 8487, I won't do a full lookup (it is time consuming looking thru old paper WBCCI Membership Directories), but I can tell you that #8487 was first assigned in 1963 to Frank & Evelyn Swartzel of Oregonia, OH. They remained in the club thru 1972, but did not participate on any recorded caravans. I did not check any further. Sorry. I am certain that this number has been reassigned, possibly a few times, since then and before it was recently reassigned to you.

Thank you overlander!

[DreamStreamr]

Joe, I enjoy reading results of your lookups about big red #s and ownerships. Thanks for sharing your time and vast knowledge. I look fwd to meeting you in Jackson Ctr in two or three weeks.

[TR Anderson]

Thank you so much, Joe! I can't imagine the amount of time and effort you put in to do this for so many people, and I really appreciate it.

Hopefully our paths will cross one day - and I've already been checking out the WBCCI. I even read the minutes of the last International meeting in Tucson. Sounded like a road trip, to me! I just need to decide which Michigan chapter to hook up with.

Thanks again for the information.

-Tom

[Airspry]

Hi Joe,

We are new to all of this and are hoping to find information about our Flying Cloud with the number 12340. We just bought this trailer, and wonder if we can register it with the same number. Any information will be very helpful.

Thank you

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Airspry

Hi Joe,

We are new to all of this and are hoping to find information about our Flying Cloud with the number 12340. We just bought this trailer, and wonder if we can register it with the same number. Any information will be very helpful.

Thank you

Hi Airspry,
As I have noted many times before, in the thread, it helps to know the year of the Airstream that the number is on before I do any research, because that helps limit the number of old paper Membership Directories that have to be searched by hand. Provide that info and I will look things up when I get some time (won't be today). Sorry, but I can't let this turn into a full time job. I hope you understand.

[Airspry]

Hi Joe,

I completely understand. We appreciate your help and can be very patient.

As for the year and model. That is not as simple as I would think it should be. The plate on the trailer says that it is a Flying Cloud (22'). The Vin/Serial number is 0-3459. It has 13-panel endcaps which I have been told were only made until mid-1957. The title says 1959. The street side is almost completely windows. If this search is too complicated, that's ok.

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Airspry

We are new to all of this and are hoping to find information about our Flying Cloud with the number 12340. We just bought this trailer, and wonder if we can register it with the same number. Any information will be very helpful.
. . .

As for the year and model. That is not as simple as I would think it should be. The plate on the trailer says that it is a Flying Cloud (22'). The Vin/Serial number is 0-3459. It has 13-panel endcaps which I have been told were only made until mid-1957. The title says 1959. The street side is almost completely windows. If this search is too complicated, that's ok.

The serial number confirms that you have a 1957 22' Flying Cloud made in Ohio and the serial number format does not even match the 1959 Airstream serial number format. This is not the first time I have seen an Airstream titled as some year other than it actually is.

Perhaps if you print off some documentation from the internet and go to the appropriate agency in your state you can get that corrected. I got the serial number on one of my Airstreams corrected by showing them that the "O" on the title I got with the trailer should be a "D" to match the serial number plate on the trailer. I wanted the title to match the serial number on the trailer just in case there was ever an issue.

Of course, if your title has the serial number correct, but only the year wrong, that would seem less important to get fixed. You will always know what it actually is.

Now regarding the WBCCI number 12340. This number was not used in 1957 when your Flying Cloud was new, so it was applied some time later. In fact, 12340 was first assigned in 1965 and thus first appears in the 1966 Membership Directory. Here is how that number has been assigned over the years:
1966-76: Archy Yaple, Winsted, CT (1966 & 1974-76)., c/o NATO, Sarasota, FL (1967-73), no caravans.
1977-78: Unassigned.
1979-90: Clarence M. Jennings, Glen Rock, PA (1979), Dade City, FL (1980-90), no caravans.
1991-Current: Unassigned (but only spot checked a few directories).

So what can we tell from this? It appears that your Flying Cloud was owned by a single man when in WBCCI, we just cannot be 100% certain which one. Given the time and distance between them, it appears that #12340 was just randomly reassigned in 1979, so it is unlikely that both Mr. Yaple and Mr. Jennings owned your Flying Cloud.

Which of them owned it becomes harder to guess. If you got it in/near CT then My. Yaple would seem more likely. If you got it in/near PA, then Mr. Jennings would seem more likely. If you got it in/near FL or in/near UT, then it is harder to guess, but I'll give a slight nod to Mr. Yaple for two reasons:
1. A 1957 Flying Cloud was "less old" during his time in the club.
2. Mr. Jennings Dade City address would have been in the Travelers Rest Airstream Park and it just seems to me that it may have been desirable to have a newer and larger Airstream parked permanently, or semi-permanently in that park (but this does not rule the possibility that Mr. Jennings had a 1957 22' Flying Cloud).

In the end, the answer may come down to evidence on the trailer, like a decal or emblem from a dealer in/near CT or PA or names on some documentation you may have received with the trailer.

I cannot officially answer if you can get #12340 assigned if you join WBCCI, but that number was unassigned in the last Membership Directory and is unlikely to have been assigned since it was published. Just ask for the number when applying for membership and the office will check to confirm 12340 is still available. I'll bet it will be. It's great to keep old WBCCI numbers on old Airstreams.

That's all I got. Enjoy your 1957 Flying Cloud!