Looking at a 1955 22' Safari

[toastie]

Looking at a 1955 22' Safari and was surprise to find out that they didn't
come with a black water tank or a 12 volt system, is there any website out there that will tell you when Airstream added black water tanks and the 12 volt system in the 50's..........thanks

[InsideOut]

Black tanks were added by Airstream in the late 50's/early 60's first as an "International package" upgrade then as standard a couple of years later. As far as 12V, it depends on the trailer, our '56 does have it. What they didn't have was a converter or inverter to change 110 to 12v - they had two completely separate sets of lights. If it was a park model it may not have had 12V at all. Again, they changed in the late 50's. Our '64 has both. Grey tanks weren't introduced until 1973.

You can add black & grey tanks to earlier models...we are doing so with our '56. It's not for the light-hearted, but entirely possible to do - especialy if you have to repair or replace the floor.

You may find these two websites helpful:

Vintage Airstream Features
Vintage Airstream Photo Archives

Shari

[drag'nwagon]

1957 was the beginning of "self contined". Prior to that they were "park models" and came with only a FW tank and 110vac for electrical.

[urbanfood]

Originally Posted by toastie

Looking at a 1955 22' Safari and was surprise to find out that they didn't
come with a black water tank or a 12 volt system, is there any website out there that will tell you when Airstream added black water tanks and the 12 volt system in the 50's..........thanks

do not fret, the 13 panel design that the '55 safari has is way cooler than worrying about black and gray tanks and 12 volts. you can always add that stuff, but you can't add the 13 panel design. '57 was the last year of the 13 panel design.

take a look at the rear and see if it has the california whale tale or 13 panels. if it has the whale tail, it was made in california, if no whale tail, it was made in ohio. you can see mine with the whale tail at http://www.airforums.com/forums/f411...oud-27533.html