Hello from New Hampshire & ID help please!

[wolfegangs]

Hello, My Name is Michael Anderson and my whole life I have always wanted an old Airstream! Well this past weekend I found one that I plan to restore, but I need some help from the community identifying which Airstream it is exactly. I also have a few other technical questions. I have made a single web page of pictures and entered the URL here, so you can help me ID this old Airstream. What I know... I know that this is. 13 panel Airstream. I know that it is 22 feet long, single axel, with squared off wheel well (not rounded), and rectangular screen door, not oval or curved edges. I also have noted that there is a spare tire rack on the rear side of the trailer, but no storage compartment in that area. I have included pics of the serial number in the web link. Can you please help me ID this trailer? I also need to know, for purposes of moving this trailer soon, the width if anyone knows, and... what the lug spacing is for the 6 lug rims. I want to buy new rims and tires. I think it is a 6" spacing, but might be a hair less. This old Airstream need a ton of TLC, but I want to save her! A appreciate being allowed to join, and I appreciate your expertise and help. thank you! Mike... AKA... Wolfegang...

[ke6gkv]

welcome Mike(aka Wolfgang), i am more familiar with the 60's and 70's but glad that you plan to restore her. the door within a door was a 50's through mid-60's item. you are also missing the door eyebrow.as for tires;by new rims. the old ones are split-rims and most shops will not put new tires on them. they lack the tools to do so. good luck and will be watching for new updates. kurt

[Bubba L]

Looks like a 1951 Flying Cloud. Or, at least the serial number indicates that. The width of my 55 is 90” out to out. Mine seems to be a little wider than the typical 55 according to Colin Hyde. Looks like a nice project. Good luck

[wolfegangs]

Hi Kurt & Bubba, thank you for replying and for the information. Kurt, I did realize that my Airstream has split rims. Because the old tires, probably original, are dry rotted and certainly would not take air, and because the old style rims are not serviceable, I was wondering if anyone knows the lug spacing, I measured and I think it is 6 inches, but it could be 5 & 3/4's? I have some experience with old trailers, and I know for instance that a Scotty will use a 5 lug Ford Rim/wheel. Does anyone know what translates for an Airstream of my vintage? My Airstream is 5 hours away from me, and while I plan to trailer it home, I still want to out new rims and tires on it so it will move easier when I tow it onto my trailer with my winch. It will also be easier to move around once I get it home. Bubba... I took a look at pics of a 51 Flying Cloud, and it does look similar, but I can't seem to find a trailer that is exactly the same as mine. So my question is... with these early Airstreams, did window placements vary? Did Vent placements vary? So for example... could I have a 51 Flying Cloud, but my windows and vents are just in different places than the pictured trailers I saw on this web site? I go to get my Airstream in 3 weeks, so I am trying to get all of my ducks in a row.. before I go!!! I can't tell you how much I appreciate this forum! thank you all! Mike Anderson... aka... Wolfgang

[farafield]

Kind of fun being an AS detective! I'm sure you've seen this website with comprehensive list, photos, and details on the various models: http://vintageairstream.com/photo-archives/

[Bubba L]

Mike, from what I’ve read, I still think it’s a 51 FC. That was a unique year for AS. The original owners of yours could have asked for a 51 FC with a few changes that mimicked a 51 Liner. Seems like 51 was transitioning from pipe frame to conventional. What does yours have? Also the oval rear window versus the rectangular seems to have been optional. Maybe Joe (aka 66Overlander) will chime in. He knows the history better than anyone.

[wkerfoot]

I see some issues with the trailer being a 1951. The SN plate shows Jackson Center, but that factory did not open until 1952 or 1953. The front window looks much later that 1951 and the rear shell should be straight down and not tilted out at the bottom, that did not occur until 1953 or 1954. The serial number places it at a 1951 but the other items do not.


Bill

[Bubba L]

Mike, how did you measure? Inside end to inside end or ball to bumper. Now what I’m seeing as a closer match is a 56 Cruiser & Overlander. But that is 26’ ball to bumper, not the 22’ you mentioned. Look at the serial numbers and pictures of this year and model in the Airstream Archives Pictures and see if you think it’s a match.

[wolfegangs]

Thanks Kim, Bubba & Bill for posting replies to my questions. Kim, I appreciate the link, I had found it previously, but since had lost it, so now I have bookmarked it, and tonight I will take a much closer look. Bubba & Bill, Initially I thought my AS was a 1956 Flying Cloud, but I am so new to this, that I am still not sure. I will have a much better idea by later tonight I am sure. Bubba, the info that AS may have offered different configurations or options is great, thank you, now I will be less concerned about exact window placement, vents, etc...
Bubba... when I measured, and I am not sure I am measuring correctly... I was also by myself, thus my being uncertain... but anyway, I measured just the body of my AS, not the tongue. It was 21 or 22 feet, was hard to tell exactly because of the thick brush around the AS as well as simply trying to do it myself. Can't wait to get her home... then all of this will be much easier. Can anyone answer my question about the wheels/rims? I'm sure lots of people have had to get new rims for their AS trailers. I might go to my local RV guy this weekend and ask, as well as measure some of his pre-mounted tires on rims. Thanks all... you all are terrific!!! Mike

[Bubba L]

Mike, having the O7155 with the O at the beginning would indicate O-Ohio. The serial number you are showing is also listed for the 56 Cruiser & Overlander with the same window layout as your pictures. Also, on our 55, the original wheels were 7.00 X 15 with 6” on 5 1/2” lug nuts on a split rim. Lastly, there is a vintage trailer restoration place in Deerfield, Ma south of you called Two Feathers @ 413-522-6102. Don’t know anything about them or if they can be of any help. Just saw their Ad in Vintage Camper Trailer magazine. And so the mystery continues.

[wolfegangs]

Hi Bubba, you are THE BEST!!! Thank you my friend, I so appreciate the info!
Have a great weekend! Mike

[wolfegangs]

Hi Bubba... one more question is I may... when I measure my AS... do I include the tongue in my measurement? When I measured before, I just measure the main body. Thanks! Mike

[Bubba L]

Originally Posted by wolfegangs

Hi Bubba... one more question is I may... when I measure my AS... do I include the tongue in my measurement? When I measured before, I just measure the main body. Thanks! Mike

Mike, ball to bumper when measuring. Our 55 FC is considered a 22 footer. The inside dimension is actually 19’-10 1/2”. Since I extended the bumper 6” to accommodate a bumper trunk, I guess it’s a 22’-6” FC ball to bumper. Keep us posted on what you discover and good luck on the “recovery mission”.

[wolfegangs]

Hi Bubba, thanks again & will let everyone know when I have my AS home!

Have a great weekend!

Mike

[wolfegangs]

Hi Bubba, Are there specs anywhere for my AS that would tell me the width. I plan to put the AS on a trailer to bring it home, and I just want to make sure I have enough width. Any help would be appreciated, again, my AS is a 1956 Cruiser Overlander 26 foot. appreciated. Mike

[Bubba L]

Mike, I have looked back in the forums and cannot find a width dimension. As an idea, our 55 is 7’-6” wide on the outside (7’-3” inside width). Colin Hyde said our width was not typical, but a bit wider than most.
Surely someone out there with a 56 Cruiser/Overlander has an idea of the width. And again, they may vary an inch or two. Maybe someone will read this and assist with info.

[wolfegangs]

Hi all... can anyone tell me the width of a 56 Cruiser Overlander 26 feet long? Also... does anyone know the correct wheel bearing size? The AS I am getting next weekend is 5 hours away, so I am trying to go 100% prepared. Thanks for your help. Mike in NH