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kitycatalina · 02-20-2006, 02:52 PM

Hello all.
Long time lurker, now with something to post. We are now the proud owners of a 1954 18 footer, with LOTS of work to be done. She came to us stripped clean on the inside. We're looking for more of a reinvention than a restoration. Plan to park in the yard and enjoy as a guest room/studio.
First order of buisness is to figure out just what the heck she is. I know in 1954 the model names were not printed on the name plates. Our best guess is a Flying Cloud or a Globetrotter. Any ideas for deciphering the mystery? Title says body style CT.
Looking forward to lots of info being shared!

wkerfoot · 02-20-2006, 02:58 PM

If 18 feet is the length of the body, then you have either a Safari or a Flying Cloud both of which are 22 feet long. Airstreams are measured ball to bumper. If you look at http://www.vintageairstream.com/ You will find a tremendous amount of information on the various sizes on the picture archive section. You will also find information on restoring, resources and general history.

Good luck in your adventures and welcome to the forums.

Bill

65glbtrotter · 02-20-2006, 03:46 PM

Try this link, looks like a Flying Cloud.
http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...4FC/index.html

joewinfield · 02-20-2006, 03:53 PM

Welcome Kittycatalina...looks like you have a great rig...we love the
austin area and hope to move to the Hill Country someday...now hanging out in San Francisco...good luck on your restoration project...joe...

CaptainJones · 02-20-2006, 03:56 PM

Nice find. It looks like you have a fine AS there. The serial number will tell you lots of information. The pictures look very much like it is a 22 foot. Streetside windows would indicate a Flying Cloud. Post the total length and ss# and you will get more information than you thought possible I bet.

Chaplain Kent · 02-20-2006, 03:58 PM

Welcome and congratulations on your purchase. Without going outside to get my book I'm going to guess it is a Flying Cloud. How do you know it is 18'?

**azflycaster** · 02-20-2006, 04:03 PM

Welcome Kittycatalina, I think I remember that trailer on ebay a while back. If that is the one, I remember the inside was very empty. You can design your own custom interior. Have fun, take lots of pictures and keep us updated!

juel · 02-20-2006, 04:14 PM

Welcome to the forum. As the new owner of a 58 Overlander, I'm gaining a new respect for these old Airstreams. I notice that yours may be the victim of the same thing that lots of these old trailers suffer. Does your have the bottom of the tongue jack? Mine has what's left of the bent bottom part. Another forum member's new old trailer doesn't have the tongue jack either. Looks like people just drive off with them down and break them off. It's a beautiful trailer you have no matter what.

kitycatalina · 02-20-2006, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

If 18 feet is the length of the body, then you have either a Safari or a Flying Cloud both of which are 22 feet long. Airstreams are measured ball to bumper. If you look at http://www.vintageairstream.com/ You will find a tremendous amount of information on the various sizes on the picture archive section. You will also find information on restoring, resources and general history.

Good luck in your adventures and welcome to the forums.

Bill

I've checked out that page, and you're right, it is a great resource. Not as good as the amount of know how here though!
I have an 18 foot interior, and ball to bumper is 222'', that's 18 and a half feet.

kitycatalina · 02-20-2006, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65glbtrotter

Try this link, looks like a Flying Cloud.
http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...4FC/index.html

Looks pretty close to me too, thanks for the link!

kitycatalina · 02-20-2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainJones

Nice find. It looks like you have a fine AS there. The serial number will tell you lots of information. The pictures look very much like it is a 22 foot. Streetside windows would indicate a Flying Cloud. Post the total length and ss# and you will get more information than you thought possible I bet.

Body Style CT
Width 85" or 7'
Length 222" or 18'5"
S/N: 1999

**azflycaster** · 02-20-2006, 04:48 PM

kitycatalina, Your numbers just do not add up. If your interior is 18 feet and ball to bumber is 18 1/2 feet that means your bumper, tongue and space between the inside and outside walls only adds up to 6 inches. On my 75 I have 10 inches of rear bumper and 36 inches of tongue. That adds up to a 21 foot interior and 25 foot ball to bumper.

kitycatalina · 02-20-2006, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Welcome Kittycatalina, I think I remember that trailer on ebay a while back. If that is the one, I remember the inside was very empty. You can design your own custom interior. Have fun, take lots of pictures and keep us updated!

Yep, that's the one. It is pretty empty, but perfect for my purposes.
I was outbid in the last 14 seconds. About a month later, I noticed the tranaction still was lacking feedback. I emailed the seller and told them if the original buyer backed out, I would be interested in a second chance offer. Got an offer back within days!

kitycatalina · 02-20-2006, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

kitycatalina, Your numbers just do not add up. If your interior is 18 feet and ball to bumber is 18 1/2 feet that means your bumper, tongue and space between the inside and outside walls only adds up to 6 inches. On my 75 I have 10 inches of rear bumper and 36 inches of tongue. That adds up to a 21 foot interior and 25 foot ball to bumper.

Well, to be perfectly honest, the 222'' is off the bill of sale. I measured 18 feet by 7 feet interior myself, so I took it at it's word. I'm thinking the guy who wrote up the info was off. The interior measure is what mattered most to me, really.
It's about 40 degrees and raining but I've a mind to go out with a tape measure.

**azflycaster** · 02-20-2006, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitycatalina

Well, to be perfectly honest, the 222'' is off the bill of sale. I measured 18 feet by 7 feet interior myself, so I took it at it's word. I'm thinking the guy who wrote up the info was off. The interior measure is what mattered most to me, really.
It's about 40 degrees and raining but I've a mind to go out with a tape measure.

Rain! Lucky you. We have gone 4 months now with out a drop. We only average about 7 inches a year, but we are hurting right now.

I think that you will find that your lenth is 22 feet. Like you said, it is the inside that counts. Good luck.

CaptainJones · 02-20-2006, 06:38 PM

I am guessing that the ss# you have is coming from the title and not the trailer. 1999 would not have been a number for 1954. I am sure you probably have a Flying Cloud as stated before and those numbers would be:

Ohio | O- 3155 to O- 3244
California | 7NNN (about 7600 to 7750)
as found on the http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...4FC/index.html

When you get a chance check ther trailer. The tag should be by the front door and look like the one below.

kitycatalina · 02-20-2006, 09:08 PM

Looks like someone decided to replace the door handle, but here's what I've got:

wkerfoot · 02-20-2006, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitycatalina

Looks like someone decided to replace the door handle, but here's what I've got:

A 1953 Flying Cloud built in Ohio. Near the end of the model run, the Ohio serial numbers run from 3001 to 3154.

Thanks for the information.

Bill

kitycatalina · 02-20-2006, 09:20 PM

No thank you!

CaptainJones · 02-20-2006, 09:34 PM

Bill is right. It looks like you have a 1953 Cloud. It may well have not sold until 1954 which would account for the title showing it as a '54. It is also just a guess, but someone maybe replaced a lost title in 1999 which is where the incorrect serial number turned up.

Anyway you look at it you have a treasure and if you polish it up. It will look incredible. I am doing a 51 Cloud now and just love it... most of the time.