I have a 1950 bubble

[way1701]

We are looking for interior pics
We have a serial number 8003
Try to restore as much as possible
Can anyone help?

[TheOhioSean]

There's a website with photos of vintage Airstreams arranged by model and year. It may help.

Vintage Airstream Photo Archives - Vintage Airstream

[Frank's Trailer Works]

though not impossible, finding parts from that early will be a serious challenge. Production numbers in 1950 were very low and I doubt many parts will be floating around. You might look to some other brands of that era, since many manufactures used the same sources for parts. You might also have to fabricate things. What are you looking for?

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Also, you have a 51 or 52 Cruisette, not a Bubble.

[Shacksman]

Strange as I have a 56 Flying cloud serial # 8003 and it's listed in the Photo archives as these numbers also
http://vintageairstream.com/photo-ar...ying-cloud-22/

[Shacksman]

Here is examples of the confusion in numbers a 51-52 Cruisette #8056 1951/52 Cruisette 15' #8056 - Vintage Airstream
and a 56 flying cloud #8054 1956 Flying Cloud 22' #8054 - Vintage Airstream

[47WeeWind]

Hi Doug:

Here's what happened. In 1951, the new 21' Flying Cloud began its serial number series at 7000 and the new 15' Cruisette began its serial number series at 8000. No one at the California factory foresaw any conflict because each model had 999 more numbers available to issue as serial numbers. After two years the Cruisette ended production around s/n 8075 but the Flying Cloud was popular and continued in production longer than first imagined.

During the 1956 model year the Flying Cloud had reached serial number 7999, exhausting all 7000 series serial numbers. Rather than jump to an unused 5 digit serial number, such as 10,000, the California factory continued consecutively numbering Flying Clouds into the 8000's, duplicating some 75 or so older Cruisette serial numbers. I imagine the factory thought the difference in trailer lengths would distinguish one 80XX Airstream from another 80XX Airstream, so didn't perceive much of a problem . . . or ignored it. I also imagine the California Motor Vehicle Department was not amused.

I don't think this would be much of a problem today unless one of the 80XX duplicate serial number trailers was reported stolen and afterwards the new owner of the other duplicate 80XX Airstream tried to register it. It might show up on a national data base as stolen. There'd be some 'splaining to do, but I think eventually registration could be worked out with the state motor vehicle department once they were shown the facts of the matter.

[Shacksman]

Thanks, Fred I guess that #8003 isn't stolen as the OP here has the other one.

[way1701]

No my airstream is not stolen. I'm second owner. It was made in 1950 not 51 or 52

The airstream needs to be gutted and started over everything broke down
I'm look h for the traditional colors carpet
Was looking to try to restore it much possible but if unable to restore it and I have to create a new look for it

Thank you to all those that can help me

[way1701]

It's very very small
The registration says 1950 for the year and Airstream as the model

[way1701]

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Where does it say "Bubble"? The guy who knows more about Airstreams than anyone just said it was a Cruisette. Whatever your title or registration states does not dictate what the Airstream factory built. Once again I encourage you to look at this page. The Bubble starts in 1955.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Cruisette, 51/52 Via Airstream

1955 Bubble via Airstream

[InsideOut]

Here is Cruisette #8000 and here is #8007 yours being #8003 was built between these two. Looks like whatcha got to me....cool!

Does yours have the single sheet of aluminum at the endcaps where the ribs are expressed? If so, I believe that is a tell-tale sign it's an early Cruisette.

Also, pretty unique with 15 end cap panels...cool! I think that was a 50/51 thing too.

Originally Posted by way1701

It was made in 1950 not 51 or 52

I suppose, being that it is such an early VIN number (third one made), it could have been made in 1950...but it would have been called a '51 model...just like with cars.

Shari

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by way1701

I'm look h for the traditional colors carpet

One more thing, it would not have had carpet originally...it would have had linoleum tiles.



Shari

[way1701]

62overleader. Thanks for the info
It doesn't say bubble that was what previous owners son told me it was.
And in trying to look for something duplicate that's what I thought it was as well
I do greatly appreciate all the info and pics and help that everyone is giving me

Just trying to keep a piece of history alive I'm 37 and I think it is just adorable and quaint

Does any one have and ideal on its value

[way1701]

Insideout

I'm not sure about the single sheet that your talking about. How can I tell?

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by way1701

Insideout

I'm not sure about the single sheet that your talking about. How can I tell?

Look at this linked photo (same as in my earlier post)…it's not a "pretty picture", but it clearly shows what I am talking about. Most Airstreams have a double layered end cap, (a sheet of aluminum on both the inside & the outside sandwiching insulation between them). Early Cruisettes only have one, the outer sheet - so there is a step on the interior where the curved end caps join up to the straight sides and the end of the rib is exposed. If it were to have a double layered end cap, you wouldn't see the end of the rib and the plane of the interior cap would be the same as the straight walls.

With a single panel, if you were to drill through the end cap - you would find it is just a single piece of aluminum - at the sides, it is one sheet > a void space filled with insulation > a second sheet. The early Cruisettes are the only trailers I know of that had this…it was a cost & weight savings measure incorporated in this entry level, "weekender" model.

As far as value is concerned, check out this Price vs Condition website. From your earlier description, it sounds like it'd be on the lower end in the "As Found" category.

I love Cruisettes - I find them very charming...

Shari

[kellykellyi]

That is definitely a Cruisette. Where did you get it? This is the 5th one I have seen turn up in the last year. And you say it has it's original interior?

[rarestream51]

Hi! You DEFINITELY have a 1951 cruisette. Congratulations! I own 8008, the last model made with 15 end cap segments. Over the last several years I have been researching how many of these are still out there, and I'm pretty excited that I have not come across yours yet. As of now, I have found 34 that are documented by serial number and photographs, and 4 "mystery units" that I have photos of but no serial numbers or owner info. I'd love to see some interior pics if you have them to add to my "database". I have a lot of info on these from the photos I've obtained and have been fortunate to have visited a couple personally, as well as restoring mine from the floor up. If you have any questions about yours I'd be happy to help out if I can. Again, congrats!! Jason