Wally's classic gold AS up close & personal

[dukester]

Well, we rolled into the factory for some work this coming week. We were here about a month ago for some warranty items and had a great time getting to know some AS history and more about the iconic larger than life Wally Byam. His little classic gold trailer that he and Stella shared was off in the distance behind locked gates. Imagine our surprise when we saw it just outside the service center this morning! Looks like they are finally going to refurbish it and put it where it belongs with some other vintage classics in front of the factory. It also happened to be open so we popped our heads in for quick look and even got a few pics. Given that rig's travel history, the factory should really put it up on a pedestal out front.

[wheel interested]

I have never seen the inside. We have seen it at the factory but only from the outside. Thanks for the pictures!

[Ag&Au]

Thanks for the pictures. Is it painted, anodized, or what?
Regards,
Ken

[Stefrobrts]

Wow! It needs a sign that says 'Wally slept here'!

[azflycaster]

The trailer skin is anodized gold, but not holding up very well. The interior looks much better then when PeeWee described the condition. The folks at JC must have done some work to it.

[PeeWee]

Unfortunately this trailer was designed for his loving wife, Stella. Put this in your notebook. I have an innitial drawing made by Wally in 1956 on the 1st European Caravan. The sketch is Stella's dream trailer. The only difference between the sketch and the original floor plan is the referigerator is on the roadside in the original trailer, and on the curbside in the drawing.

Today the trailer has undergone extreme color changes. Annodized aluminum just doesn't hold up.

I owned the trailer for seven years. I sold it when I found that it would have to sit on a lot and not be used. This creates the rotten wood, rats in the floor and whatever other syndromes you wish to image.

Unfortanely the person who bought the trailer, really want to brag about the "Gold Trailer" and he did. Sadly he gutted the trailer, ruined the original custom floor plan and striped the sides. A real sad course of events.

Today it sits at Jackson Center. I recently went through it. There are a few original cabinets, but the floor plan has changed. The outside has been commented on by just about everyone visiting the plant. The cost of restoring it is probably more than any restoration ever done by any vintage owner, including the very wealthy movie stars.

Having said that, it is still a classic memory for me.

Here is a pic from the past when I owned it.

Dale "Pee Wee" Schwamborn