How did Wally make a gold trailer?

[yukionna]

I have attached a photo of Wally Byam's gold-colored trailer. Does anyone know how they made this trailer gold? Was it painted after it was built or was it built using gold-colored panels? Also, is this a one-of-a-kind trailer or were more than one built?

[greg176]

It was gold anodized aluminum.

[mkeith54]

There is only the one Gold Trailer. Wally had it done for his trans Africa trip. King Hillia Salislisa (not sure I spelled that right) of Morocco had several Palaces that were gold Gilt and this was Wally's way of saying that America could do the same. All the fixtures are gold plated and the dinner service was gold as well. The trailer was taken apart some years back and re-anodized and the reassembled. (Information came from our tour guide at the factory last year.)

[59toaster]

What year was that trip?

Did anybody else catch the miss matched windows?

The front window is the style used on 59 up and the side window is used on 58 down. I wonder if this coach was built in 58?

[toddster]

Is it documented that he anodized the aluminum? If I were in his shoes and wanted a gold colored coating I would go with a gold chromate conversion dip coat (commonly called a gold alodine finish). Unlike an anodized finish which relies on electro plating, an alodine finish merely required a dip in a chemical bath. OK, so maybe as an engineer I over analyze, but heh, it's my thing.... just my $0.02

[Davydd]

The gold anodizing was big back in the 50s on building store fronts and curtain walls and very rare today. I suspect it is gold anodized. Clear anodized was more common and then in the 70s the dark bronze anodize became the vogue. It seems clear anodized is back in favor today.