Research by WBCCI Number?

[rasmuw]

Joe,

Thanks for your willingness to provide the history of our trailer!

[idougal]

We purchased a 1964 Tradewinds in Denver with 9277 on the front with serial number S-024410012. Someone wrote a phone number on a door with an address from MN.

Any information about it would be appreciated?

FYI: This is a re-post from another thread as per your request.

Thanks for all you efforts!

[StephSH]

Hello,
Would it be possible to get any info on number 5236? We just joined with our 2020 FC 23cb...

Also, there was a facebook post that made me wonder when number 18768 was last active in Texas? Someone may be pulling a 69 out of some woods with that number, and I’m sure they’d love to know a little about it.

Thanks
Steph

[StephSH]

Posting Joe’s response to part of my question from FB here so he doesnt have to repost it- looking forward to hearing about my new WBCCI numbers history also :-) Thanks so much for responding!

WBCCI #18768 was first assigned in 1967 to Dan E. & Chloe Epps of Houston, TX. The Epps were last listed in a WBCCI Membership Directory in 1979, still in Houston, TX and credited with participating on Caravan 64 - Western Mexico Winter 1969.

I spot checked several later Membership Directoties and it does not appear that #18768 was ever reassigned to anyone from Texas or any place else.

***
I did a little more research after the info that was provided - Mr Epps died in 1979 and Mrs Epps in 1982. Their son’s appear to have passed as well (online obituaries and find a grave).

[StephSH]

Originally Posted by StephSH

Hello,
Would it be possible to get any info on number 5236? We just joined with our 2020 FC 23cb...

Also, there was a facebook post that made me wonder when number 18768 was last active in Texas? Someone may be pulling a 69 out of some woods with that number, and I’m sure they’d love to know a little about it.

Thanks
Steph

Sorry, my number is actually 5237, not 5236. I’m so sorry! I know researching these takes time, so please dont feel like you need to research 5237 if you already looked into the wrong one.

I think it’s awesome that you’re willing to research the numbers at all.

Thanks
Steph

[Gear_Head63]

Was wondering if you could give me any info on #9469.
It's on (or WAS on) a 1963 Tradewind, 24ft.
Thanks for any info!

[newas4mark]

Hi Joe, wondered if you might have any info on 15059? A friend of mine is trying to track down his grandparent's Airstream which was sold many years ago in Lansing, MI.
Thanks in advance,
Mark

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by LorrieG

Wanting to see if I can get any information on 27960? I have a 1966 Overlander that belong to my Grandparents. I know they bought it from someone else sometime in the 70's or very early 80's. I am just wondering if they were the WBCCI members or the previous owners. My grandad's name was Aswell James Walker and he lived in Texas at the time.

Hi Lorrie,
WBCCI #27960 was first assigned in 1973, thus first appearing in the 1974 WBCCI Membership Directory. It appears that #27960 was only assigned once, though I only spot checked a few directories after the early 1980s:

• 1974-77: Blanche Horn, Abilene, TX, no caravans.

I checked a few directories after Blanche Horn did not renew and did not find an Aswell James Walker (or anything similar) listed from Texas, so I assume your grandfather was never a club member.

I would thus be pretty certain that Blanche Horn owned your 1966 Overlander in the mid 1970s and that is likely who your grandfather bought it from. That's all the info I can provide. Hope it helps.

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Tanyamp

Howdy,
We are the proud new owners of a 1975 Excella-500 31 ft. The number on it is # 21632 and we bought it in Texas from someone who bought it in Oklahoma. That's all we know, wondering if there are any more details out there about it!
Thanks,
Tanya & Chuck
Austin, TX

Attachment 345395
PS. wondering if the number is available or still attached to previous owner?

Hi Tanya & Chuck,
WBCCI #21632 was first assigned in 1968, first appearing in the 1969 Membership Directory. Here is how #21632 has been assigned over the years:

• 1969: George E. Jr. & Lorrie Dawson, Lynchburg, VA, no caravans.
• 1970: Unassigned.
• 1971-73: Sam & Violet Snyder, Morgantown, WV, no caravans.
• 1974-75: Unassigned.
• 1976-78: Richard & Marsha Paprowicz, Mongomery, AL (1976), Tacoma, WA (1978), no caravans.
• 1979: Unassigned.
• 1980-86: Frank & Monnie Wheeler, Dill City, OK, Caravan R29 - Ozark Foliage Caravan Region 9 1980.
• 1987+: Unassigned, but only spot checked a few years.

It would thus appear that the Wheelers from Oklahoma were the most likely prior owners of your Excella 500 and quite possibly took it on their one WBCCI caravan. It is very doubtful the other couples that were assigned #21632 owned your trailer.

As you can see WBCCI numbers are reassigned. #21632 is not assigned in the 2019 Membership Directory and most likely has not been reassigned since it was published, but the WBCCI Office can provide formal confirmation if you want to join the club and make some memories of your own in your Excella 500.

[66Overlander]

OK, That is enough lookups for tonight. Too tired to continue. But . . .

Originally Posted by newas4mark

Hi Joe, wondered if you might have any info on 15059? A friend of mine is trying to track down his grandparent's Airstream which was sold many years ago in Lansing, MI.
Thanks in advance,
Mark

Mark, There is no way to identify or locate your friends grandparents Airstream from the WBCCI #15059, as WBCCI did not keep records of the Airstream owned by club members. I can tell you that #15059 was first assigned in 1966, thus first appearing in the 1967 Membership Directory, at which time it was assigned to Sherl A. & Evelene Belding of Lansing MI. We can also thus know that the Beldings owned a 1966 or prior Airstream at that time, but can tell nothing else.

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by js58traveler

When the time permits, a history of my 1958 Traveler I am restoring would be much appreciated. Its WBCCI number is 3397, serial number 4019, manufactured in Norwalk, CA. Also, is the number active?
I am performing a frame off restoration.

Everything is new from the floor down except for the C3x frame rails, front hitch, rear bumper and leaf springs (which were in turn rebuilt). Everything is re-built exactly as the original except for the 3" drop in the center section of the frame to allow for modern tanks along with an underslung axle with drop to allow for the 3" dropped section. I am waiting for a snowy day to write up my last years work.

Harry and Jo-Ann Shettles
Lyme, CT

Hi Harry & Jo-Ann,
WBCCI #3397 was first assigned in 1959, thus first appearing in the 1960 Membership Directory. Here is how the "revolving door" known as WBCCI membership #3397 has been assigned over the years:

• 1960-1968: Glen & leah Gardner, Oklahoma City, OK (1960), Enid, OK (1968), no caravans.
• 1969: Unassigned.
• 1970-72: Mrs. Louise Keeney, Newark, DE, no caravans.
• 1973-74: Unassigned.
• 1975-79: Phil K. & Lenore Weeks, Independence, MO, no caravans.
• 1980-86: Unassigned.
• 1987: Archie Cofer, Waurika, OK, no caravans.
• 1988-90: Unassigned.
• 1991-92: Craig & Marilyn Tynan, San Dimas, CA (1991), Lake Elsinore, CA (1992), no caravans.
• 1993-94: Unassigned.
• 1995: John & Maude Malone, Lumberton, TX, no caravans.
• 1996-97: Unassigned.
• 1998-99: Garey & Sharon, Coatney, Gulf Breeze, FL (1998), Gresham, OR (1999), no caravans.
• 2000: Unassigned. Did not check further due to privacy concerns, likely may have been reassigned multiple times since 2000. #3397 is currently assigned in the 2019 Directory.

Your guess is as good as mine who of this long list of WBCCI members that have been assigned #3397 may have owned your California built 1958 Traveler. Likely each member owned a different Airstream due to the distances involved and the unassigned years. Each case was likely a random reassignment of an unused number. Perhaps a dealer decal or emblem on the trailer or paperwork you got with it will help you narrow the options. That's all I got. Enjoy your Traveler!

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Goin camping

Purchased an old trailer and am hoping to learn a bit about it. Especially the first owners.

WBCCI # is 3311 and it is a 22 foot 1960 Safari. What is cool is that it has a fold down bunk over one of the twins.

Also curious to know if 3311 is taken or a free number. Be nice to have the old number on it when I re join the WBCCI and the Four Corners Unit. (Unless they remember me from before and won't let me back in the the FCU.)

WBCCI #3311 was first assigned in 1959 thus first appearing in the 1960 Membership Directory. This could be appropriate for an early built 1960 22' Safari that could have been built in the later months of 1959. here is how #3311 has been assigned over the years:

• 1960-79: Bernice Sanborn, Abington, MA (1960), Hollywood, FL (1979), caravan 42 - Mexico Winter 1965.
• 1980-88: Unassigned.
• 1989-92: Clifford & Beverly Simmons, Tigard, OR, caravans R122 - Green and White Mountains Golf Caravan Region 1 1989, & 200 - Alaska Odyssey 1991.
• 1993-94: Unassigned.
• 1995-2008: A couple from Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, details not provided due to privacy concerns.

My best guess would be that Bernice Sanborn owned your 1960 Safari, especially if it is an Ohio built trailer. It would be much less likely that a California built Airstream would have made it to MA in late 1959 (or perhaps in the 1960s or 1970s if she traded up to the 1960 Safari at a later time).

If dealer badging or paperwork suggest it may have previously lived in Oregon, then maybe the Simmons would be a better guess.

That's all I got. Enjoy your 1960 Safari. We'd love to have you back in WBCCI, but #3311 was assigned in the 2019 Membership Directory. The FCU members that I have met are great people! I've thoroughly enjoyed two Balloon Fiesta Rally's that are put on by the FCU and hope to go back for a 3rd time one of these years.

P.S. This is the last one for tonight. I'll try to get to more requests soon.

[Goin camping]

Joe, Thank you very much.

I was told when I got it that it was on the Mexico Caravan. Nice to know that was so.

Before I had to let go of our last Airstream we were in the FCU. So yes, they are a very good group of folks.

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by idougal

We purchased a 1964 Tradewinds in Denver with 9277 on the front with serial number S-024410012. Someone wrote a phone number on a door with an address from MN.

Any information about it would be appreciated?

FYI: This is a re-post from another thread as per your request.

Thanks for all you efforts!

Hi idougal,
Thanks for your patience and repeating your request from the other thread. WBCCI #9277 was first assigned in 1963, thus first appearing in the 1964 Membership Directory. This could be appropriate for a early build 1964 Airstream which I believe you have. I suspect you have the 12th 1964 24' Tradewind built in Ohio, which could suggest it was built as early as August or September 1963, though we don't know exactly when the model year changeover occurred.

Here is how #9277 has been assigned over the years:

• 1964-68: Theodore & Olga Benson, Succasunna, NJ (1964), Dover, NJ (1968), no caravans.
• 1969: Unassigned.
• 1970-75: Leroy & Lydia Maurer, Saukville, WI, no caravans.
• 1967-77: Unassigned.
• 1978-79: Wilfred & Jean Green, Detroit Lakes, MN, no caravans.
• 1980-82: Unassigned.
• 1983: Bill & Bette Gamm, Forth Worth, TX, no caravans.
• 1984-89: Unassigned.
• 1990-2001: Claud D. & Bernice McHenry, Slidell, LA, no caravans.
• 2002: Unassigned. Did not check further.

So what can we guess from this? While the Bensons in NJ could be appropriate, I tend to lean toward the Greens given that MN is closer to Denver and a phone number and address on the trailer from MN. I can't rule out both the Bensons and Greens owning the trailer, but that would seem unlikely due to the distance and years in between. That's all I got. Hope it helps!

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by StephSH

Hello,
Would it be possible to get any info on number 5236? We just joined with our 2020 FC 23cb...

Also, there was a facebook post that made me wonder when number 18768 was last active in Texas? Someone may be pulling a 69 out of some woods with that number, and I’m sure they’d love to know a little about it.

Thanks
Steph

Originally Posted by StephSH

Sorry, my number is actually 5237, not 5236. I’m so sorry! I know researching these takes time, so please dont feel like you need to research 5237 if you already looked into the wrong one.

I think it’s awesome that you’re willing to research the numbers at all.

Thanks
Steph

Hi Steph, Welcome to WBCCI! it is a great club if you get involved and try some activities.

I typically only answer these questions for owners of vintage Airstreams that want to know possible history about their trailer, but since you are a club member I will give you some background on the prior history of the WBCCI # you were assigned.

#5237 was first assigned in 1961 thus first appearing in the 1962 Membership Directory. Here is how that number was assigned in the early years:

• 1962-67: George & Virginia Denniston, Flemington, NJ (1962), Sarasota, FL (1964+), no caravans.
• 1968-77: Mary Jean Wiles, Defiance, OH, no caravans.
• 1978-79: Unassigned.
• 1980: Max & Noralee Bracy, Nashville, MI, no caravans.
• 1981-83: Unassigned. Did not check further as I though you would be most interested in the early years.

Sorry I could not find evidence that your WBCCI # was used on any of the famous caravans, but you can always try a caravan and get that recorded for #5237 behind your name!

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Gear_Head63

Was wondering if you could give me any info on #9469.
It's on (or WAS on) a 1963 Tradewind, 24ft.
Thanks for any info!

Hi Gear_Head63,
WBCCI #9469 was appropriately first assigned in 1963 thus first appearing in the 1964 Membership Directory. Here is how #9469 has been assigned over the years:

• 1964-96: Todd & Chalotte Stradford, Fairport, NY (1964), Columbia, MO (1996), caravans N4 - Post International Rally Caravan 1975 (most likely start near Brandon, Manitoba) & 188 - Mayan Adventure (Yucatan) 1990.
• 1997-2000: Unassigned. Did not check further.

Finally, an easy one! I would have to say that the Stradfords owned your 1963 Tradewind, most likely buying it new, but we cannot tell if they owned it the entire time they were in the club, or perhaps upgraded to a newer or larger or smaller Airstream at some point. We also cannot say for sure if they used it on their two caravans, but that is definitely a possibility. That's all I got. Enjoy your Tradewind!

[js58traveler]

Quote:

Hi Harry & Jo-Ann,
WBCCI #3397 was first assigned in 1959, thus first appearing in the 1960 Membership Directory. Here is how the "revolving door" known as WBCCI membership #3397 has been assigned over the years....


Thank you so much Joe for this research. It is nice to know who the original owners were and where the airstream started its travels. Many thanks.
Harry S.
Lyme, CT

[idougal]

Thanks for all your hard work. I hope you had a fantastic holiday season and 2020 is incredible!

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

Hi idougal,
Thanks for your patience and repeating your request from the other thread. WBCCI #9277 was first assigned in 1963, thus first appearing in the 1964 Membership Directory. This could be appropriate for a early build 1964 Airstream which I believe you have. I suspect you have the 12th 1964 24' Tradewind built in Ohio, which could suggest it was built as early as August or September 1963, though we don't know exactly when the model year changeover occurred.

Here is how #9277 has been assigned over the years:

• 1964-68: Theodore & Olga Benson, Succasunna, NJ (1964), Dover, NJ (1968), no caravans.
• 1969: Unassigned.
• 1970-75: Leroy & Lydia Maurer, Saukville, WI, no caravans.
• 1967-77: Unassigned.
• 1978-79: Wilfred & Jean Green, Detroit Lakes, MN, no caravans.
• 1980-82: Unassigned.
• 1983: Bill & Bette Gamm, Forth Worth, TX, no caravans.
• 1984-89: Unassigned.
• 1990-2001: Claud D. & Bernice McHenry, Slidell, LA, no caravans.
• 2002: Unassigned. Did not check further.

So what can we guess from this? While the Bensons in NJ could be appropriate, I tend to lean toward the Greens given that MN is closer to Denver and a phone number and address on the trailer from MN. I can't rule out both the Bensons and Greens owning the trailer, but that would seem unlikely due to the distance and years in between. That's all I got. Hope it helps!

[StephSH]

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

Hi Steph, Welcome to WBCCI! it is a great club if you get involved and try some activities.

I typically only answer these questions for owners of vintage Airstreams that want to know possible history about their trailer, but since you are a club member I will give you some background on the prior history of the WBCCI # you were assigned.

#5237 was first assigned in 1961 thus first appearing in the 1962 Membership Directory. Here is how that number was assigned in the early years:

• 1962-67: George & Virginia Denniston, Flemington, NJ (1962), Sarasota, FL (1964+), no caravans.
• 1968-77: Mary Jean Wiles, Defiance, OH, no caravans.
• 1978-79: Unassigned.
• 1980: Max & Noralee Bracy, Nashville, MI, no caravans.
• 1981-83: Unassigned. Did not check further as I though you would be most interested in the early years.

Sorry I could not find evidence that your WBCCI # was used on any of the famous caravans, but you can always try a caravan and get that recorded for #5237 behind your name!

Thank you so much! Looks like the number has been passed around quite a bit. I think the history of the number and/or the Airstream is equally interesting - they just provide different perspectives., so I really appreciate you taking the time to research it.

Steph

[BigBadBob74]

Wife & I recently purchased a ‘71 or ‘72 Sovereign Land Yacht. The guy we bought it from didn’t have title and knew nothing about it, he was just settling a grandparent’s estate.

Our plan is to do a complete renovation and file for a lost title but we would love any information on it, as the badges, stickers & other miscellaneous things on it seem to tell us some interesting things.

Could you let us know anything about the numbers 7768 (these look like the ones that were originally on it) and 31154 (these were placed on top of the 1st numbers)? Any info is appreciated!

Thanks, Bobby & Angela