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SUPERCHAVA · 03-14-2022, 10:53 AM

Hi everyone!
we've just bought an AIRSTREAM OVERLANDER 26 from 1959! We are located in the south of France. Unfortunately the previous owners( who bought it from UK owners) have no any technical file or sheet and we absolutely need one to ask for a license plate (obligatory in France). so we are a bit desperate as we have to trail it on the road to our home ...I saw on the Airstream US website that before 1964 no manuals /archives are available. Can anyone help us please? thanks a lot in advance :-)
Marijke and Henri

dbj216 · 03-14-2022, 06:19 PM

Greetings and welcome from Colorado, USA. I always enjoy meeting folks from around the world here on these Airstream Forums. I nearly purchased a 1959 Overlander years ago. That is what the seller said it was, but I never verified it through the serial number. It was in good shape, but I found a 1966 Trade Wind 24' I liked better instead. I understand dual axles were an option in 1959. This trailer was a single axle model. Here are some photos of the 1959 Overlander.

And here are some URL internet links to information on the 1959 Overlander. Maybe they will help you, and maybe not.

David

https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...lander-117.pdf

https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...nder-2-128.pdf

57Vintage · 03-14-2022, 06:41 PM

Look forward to following your journey with a 59. We have a 1958. I am not aware of any type of owners manual. You might PM to 66Overlander (historian) and see if anything is available besides the sales brochures.

Those are available in the archive.

https://www.airstream.com/owners/doc.../tt/year/1959/

We leave for France tomorrow and will be down by Bellac and then Lyon for a while. Send me an email if you are close by and we'll try to get together.

spudmtn@msn.com

SUPERCHAVA · 03-15-2022, 08:09 AM

Hi , thanks for your reply :-) Our Overlander is also single axle model..thank you for the links, I also found them but on the picture it's a double axle...we're going to pick it up on next Saturday...see the photos...kindest regards Marijke

SUPERCHAVA · 03-15-2022, 08:15 AM

Hi Harold and Rebecca, unfortunately beside the sale brochures there are no other real technical files...we are going to pick up our overlander 1959 next Saturday :-)
We are at about 422 km southeast from Lyon ( = about 262 miles)
we wish you a nice trip to France and a a pleasant stay !
Marijke and Henri

dbj216 · 03-15-2022, 06:53 PM

Your soon to be yours 1959 Overlander looks to be in good shape judging from the body. Old Airstreams often have many problems that need correcting to make it strong and reliable again. The aluminum body lasts a long time, but the wood floor and steel frame are prone to moisture damage. You will have to inspect it carefully and make a list of things needing correcting.

Renovating these old Airstreams and then traveling with them is a lot of fun. I happen to like the Overlander size and renovated a 1975 trailer a couple of years ago. It is a twin bed model with a rear bath. Here are a couple of photos so you can see the differences.

Good luck next Saturday.

David

SUPERCHAVA · 03-23-2022, 08:11 AM

Hi David, we did it! it was a long trip back home with our Overlander as the tires were not in a good state and we couldn't find any to replace in the neighbourhood over there.
But the trailer arrived safe and sound just like us ;-)
our restoration project: to transform it into an unusual original acommodation for holiday rentals ( in our park). We bought 3 years ago the house of an ancient wine estate (from 1878) and already made 2 holiday appartments. We still have B&B rooms to make (as the house is very big)
so a lot of work to do but we are enthusiastic and won't be bored :-)
I'll keep you informed about the work progress as soon as we start ...
bye! au revoir!