Research by WBCCI Number?

[skucera]

The trailer I took delivery of today has "3873" on it in red numbers, and the marks below it of "7150" where numbers had been pealed off front and rear. I haven't read all 62 pages of this thread, but I haven't seen if there's anywhere on-line where I can consult old WBCCI directories to see if my numbers were issued between 1982 and now, and who owned them. If anyone can point me to such a resource, I would be appreciative. It just seems like a quaint bit of history to investigate.

Thanks,
Scott

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by dreamAstream

Hey from North Carolina! We are the new owners of an old 1972 Tradewind and the blue numbers are still in place. We’d love to know all that we can about #25375. Thank you so much!

Hi dreamAstream,
First off, WBCCI numbers should be red, not blue. Assuming you are actually talking about ghost outlines of old red numbers than may now appear blue, WBCCI # 25375 was first assigned in 1971, thus first appearing in the 1972 Membership Directory. This could be appropriate for an early build 1972 model. Here is how #25375 has been assigned over the years:

• 1972-73: Gordon and Joan Kraai, Atlanta, GA (1972), Spartanburg, SC (1973), no caravans.
• 1974-75: Unassigned.
• 1976-90: Michael and Florence Hoechstetter, Columbus, OH, no caravans.
• 1991+: Unassigned, but only spot checked a few directories.

It would seem than one of these two couples owned your 1972 Tradewind, but likely not both. I'll guess the Kraai's are the more likely prior owners, but that is just a guess. Have fun with your Tradewind!

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Airstrm_Girl

Hello! I am restoring a 26ft 1959 Airstream Overlander. I purchased the Airstream in Washington in 2019. I am hoping you might be able to look up or find information on the number 2953, including if it is available and what the history of it (if any) is. I truly appreciate any information you can provide me, even if it’s just directing me towards a different resource for information. I have been at a complete loss in my research thus far.

Thank you!

Best,
Sarah

Hi Sarah,
WBCCI #2953 was appropriately first assigned in 1959. Here is how it has been assigned over the years:

• 1959-71: Peris and Carmen Bunce, Burlingame, CA, caravans 23 - Mexico Winter 1960 & 28 - Eastern Canada Summer 1961.
• 1972-75: Harold J. and Catherine Brennan, De Bary, FL (1972), Orange City, FL (1975), no caravans.
• 1976-79: Unassigned.
• 1980-2008: A couple from Bloomington, IN, three caravans, details held due to privacy concerns.

Given you purchased your 1959 Overlander in Washington and 2953 was first assigned in 1959, the most likely guess is that the Bunce's owned it and took it on their two caravans. If it is a California built trailer this guess is even stronger as the other two couples would have been more likely to own Ohio built Airstreams, though there are no guarantees. That's all I got. Enjoy your Overlander!

To everyone else,
This was the last one for tonight. I'll get to more when I have more free time.

[waharknesscaravans]

Could anyone help me find the original members details for 1051 , i cant see the number in my 2005 directory.
thanks,


sam.

[waharknesscaravans]

images attached

Originally Posted by waharknesscaravans

Could anyone help me find the original members details for 1051 , i cant see the number in my 2005 directory.
thanks,


sam.

[featherbedder]

Is 14976 still around? I had from 1966 until 1970 on 1966 caravel then on 1967 30 ft that I demolished on way to winter rally in Sarasota Fla. Replaced w/1967 26ft all pur. new by me. Still continues AS owner now 1976 31 w/several between, All pur. new by me. My father also had 10678 in 1960s. On forums as featherbedder THKS. bILL

[Janssvt]

14976 is not assigned to anyone right now.

[Janssvt]

in 1991 it was assigned to Caslers who lived in Nevada

[Skalywags]

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

I looked thru my old WBCCI Membership directories and found the #3313 to have passed thru quite a few hands over the years:

1981 - unused
1989 - Robert & Midred Binkoff - Geneva, WI
1991 & 1993 - unused
1994 & 1995- Roy & Bernice Bartel - Manhatten, KS
2001 - Kenneth & Beverly Lindholm, Olympia, WA
2004 & 2005 - Dennis & Cecelia John - Dayton, OH

Since I only have a few old membership directories, there may be that other people have also been assigned the WBCCI #3313 over the years. However, since you purchased this trailer in the NW, perhaps it was the Lindholms's that had that number on your trailer (if you think that the numbers are actually only a few years old). If the numbers look older, anything is possible, because who knows what part(s) of the USA your trailer may have resided in during it's lifetime.

Good luck in your search.

Is there only a way to research by number? My great aunt and uncle were active members of the Oklahoma Green County Airstream Club and went to many rallies before they passed away. I don’t know their membership number (and their rig was sold as part of the estate). I used to love visiting them and their AS when I was a kid. Now I’m all grown up and just purchased my first Airstream. I named her Bonnie after my aunt. I would love to see if their number was available and what kind of Airstream they had (other relatives were not as interested and didn’t know the answer). If anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated!

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Skalywags

Is there only a way to research by number? My great aunt and uncle were active members of the Oklahoma Green County Airstream Club and went to many rallies before they passed away. I don’t know their membership number (and their rig was sold as part of the estate). I used to love visiting them and their AS when I was a kid. Now I’m all grown up and just purchased my first Airstream. I named her Bonnie after my aunt. I would love to see if their number was available and what kind of Airstream they had (other relatives were not as interested and didn’t know the answer). If anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated!

Just closing the loop in this thread. I answered this question via email, so will not repeat the answer here.

[AirStreamMar]

Hi,

I purchased an AS290 motorhome and shipped it over to Germany for restauration. The PO was from Oregon and he got it in 2010. On the roof I see traces of WBCC # 9227 but that was the PO of the PO. To learn about the history of the motorhome, does anybody know to whom this number belonged to? It's not in the forum when I look for the number at member search. Don't need to know names or other personal details but maybe the state where it was registered?

Thank you,

Mario

[Mr Z]

Greetings!
I'm trying to learn more about my new-to-me AS.
I believe this American Legend originated in WA state and was curious about the history of the WB #9616

Attachment 392090

Thanks!

[Janssvt]

You are right, last owner was in Olympia, washington as of 2019

[Tin Can Tena]

I’d really like to know who our Airstream was registered to as well. I when we joined WBCC the original # that was on my 1969 was still available so I re-registered using the same # 16119. It would be great to know if this # has had a Canadian history from its first registration

[Glenritas]

Big Red Numbers : the idea was that if you saw one on the road you could look it up in the Blue Beret and see who it was .

Or at a Airstream rally you could find your friends .

In our case we have a Vintage Trade Wind that never had a number on it . Just as well it didn't , we have our little number on our NorCal banner that we put out at rallies .
When we go to Vintage rallies the number is irrelevant so no good reason to put it on the trailer .

[Hittenstiehl]

From BeachBound,

Hello,
I purchased an 1999 Airstream Cutter Diesel Motorhome last year and just finished up on a remodel. This one has “Flag Pole Holders” mounted to it??

Wanted to see if I can look up its Wally Byam Number (#7266) for any significant meaning or history.

Thanks!

[wagvan]

Could someone search the history of 8125? Is there a way to check and see if it is still available? Were they always red or did they used to be white? What do the stars mean? It’s too bad they go by owner and not the rig. Thanks in advance for spending the time to look this up.
Thanks, Katie

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Motogreen

I have a '58 Flying Cloud, with number 2565 on it. Wonder who was assigned that number back in the day?

OK, the 2nd dose of the COVID vaccine I eceived yesterday kind of kicked my butt, but I am finally feeling a little beter, so I'll try to answer a few inquiries tonight>


WBCCI #2565 was first assigned in 1959. Here is how it has been assigned over the year according to WBCCI Membership Directories:

• 1959-71: Frank & Katherine Batsch, Altadena, CA (1959) Seal Beach, CA (1971), no caravans.
• 1972: Unassigned.
• 1973-74: Mark & Irene factor, Cocoa, FL (1973), Conowingo, MD (1974), no caravans.
• 1975-76: Unassigned.
• 1977-81: James L. & Mary Morris, Heber Springs, AR (1977), Jack's Creek, TN (1981), no caravans.
• 1982-90: Unassigned.
• 1991: Alfred H. & Bette J. Wardle, Barneveld, NY, no caravans.
• 1992-94: Unassigned.
• 1995: James B. & Irene U. Smith, Fresno, CA, no caravans.
• 1996-97: Unassigned.
• 1998-2000+: A couple named Williams from Texas, details withheld due to privacy concerns. Did not check further.

Not knowing where you got the Flying Cloud, nor how recent the numbers look, if it is a California built trailer, I would guess the Batsch's owned it. if ii is an Ohio built trailer, it is unlikely that Batsch's owned it, but I don't have another good guess. If the numbers look much more recent, maybe the couple from Texas owned in in the 90s-2000s. That's all I can tell you. Enjoy your Flying Cloud!

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

Yes Joe thank you for your vast historical knowledge and patience.

On that note could we inquire about membership number 10858. On a Jackson Center 62 Overlander that was likely east coast based.

Carolina came up in conversation regarding her lineage.

Thanks in advance, no hurry.
Hittenstiehl

WBCCI # 10858 was first assigned in 1965, thus first appearing in the 1966 Membership Directory. Here is how #10858 has been assigned over the years:

• 1966-69: William J. & Courtney Valentine, Frogmore, SC, no caravans.
• 1970: Unassigned.
• 1971-89: Robert G. Sr. (Grady) & Clara C. Lewis, Corpus Christi, TX, no caravans.
• 1990+ Unassigned, but only spot checked a few directories.

If the 1962 Ohio Overlander has always been on the east coast, it would seem most likely that the Valentine's owned it, but not the Lewis's, who I believe just got reassigned an unused number when they joined the club. That's all I got.

[Hittenstiehl]

Thank You much.