1959 Globetrotter design

[Randy Cole]

We just purchased a 1959 18 ft Globetrotter that someone put a rear bathroom into and we want to turn it back to the original design. I'd like to see how the dinette divan worked and possibly the dimensions. Some pictures would be great Also I've heard there was a rear bunk but I've yet to see any pictures of one. Thanks for viewing

[Bubba L]

If you go to Vintage Airstream Photo Archives they show an Ohio built Pace that they are describing as a Globetrotter. That was a mixed up time for Airstream names in the 18’ size. Good luck

[dbj216]

Greetings Randy Cole: We have a 69 Globetrotter that certainly isn't anything like a 59 model year one. As Bubba L says, Airstream was mixing things up with their short trailers back in the late fifties and the fact they had two factories building trailers somewhat differently. Bubba L knows old Airstreams well.

The 59 Globe Trotter had a front "water closet" just inside the entry door. I saw one at the vintage rally I attended last summer. Our 69 Globetrotter had a rear corner wet bath that was also very small.

Many of us vintage trailer "renovators" change things around to make the trailer more functional and more comfortable. Other "restorers" refresh their trailers to be new just like they left the factory.

So here is a link from Airstream.com document archives showing the sales literature and floor layout for the 59 Globe Trotter 18'.

https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...rotter-101.pdf

And here is a link to the 50 Pacer 18' showing the floor layout differences.

https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...-pacer-123.pdf

You mentioned 59 Globe Trotter and likely you have verified by serial number and title that is in fact what you own. You gotta post a couple of photos of your trailer when you feel like it. Here are a couple of photos of our 69 Globetrotter 21'.

Vintage Airstreams are a lot of fun.

David

[Randy Cole]

Originally Posted by Bubba L

If you go to Vintage Airstream Photo Archives they show an Ohio built Pace that they are describing as a Globetrotter. That was a mixed up time for Airstream names in the 18’ size. Good luck

Thanks Bubba, I've seen dozens of pictures of comparable year and size Airstreams but none that shows how the dinette divan works. We have a 54 Wally Byam Holiday and absolutely love the design and use of space. It seems many early smaller units had a similar design. Thanks again

[Bubba L]

Randy, the last Globetrotter shown on the Airstream Vintage Picture Archives has the floor plan of a double and a sleep two model. Some of the older models had a divan (or click-clack) and others had a hinged dinette between two seats. The dinette would drop down level with the seating structure to form a bed. This is the way we built our 55 Flying Cloud. We made some Walter of Wabash slides that pulls out to support the table top. That design looks like one of the Globetrotters. Some of the 50s trailers had a fold out table kept in one of the cabinets that would be placed in front of a divan then put away when finished. There were a lot of confusing options being offered back then.