Need help identifying my Airstream!

[mmeehan8]

Hi all,

I purchased an Airstream that needs a lot of work and have been trying to identify the year and model of it. I'm pretty sure it's 1950's era, but can't find a model that looks close. Is anyone able to ID this model, or provide a resource where I can dive in a try to ID it myself? I've uploaded the images to the link below.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...6X?usp=sharing

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[BIGED52]

Originally Posted by mmeehan8

Hi all,

I purchased an Airstream that needs a lot of work and have been trying to identify the year and model of it. I'm pretty sure it's 1950's era, but can't find a model that looks close. Is anyone able to ID this model, or provide a resource where I can dive in a try to ID it myself? I've uploaded the images to the link below.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...6X?usp=sharing

Any help is greatly appreciated!

The endcaps are 7 panel, and the wheel wheels are a clue too! You need to get a closer look / picture of the serial number plate next to the right side of the door. It will have the information you need ( numbers and letters ) to identify the year and model of your Airstream. Ed

[markdoane]

I would guess it's a really rough 1958 Overlander.

[A W Warn]

Late 50s or early 60s.
There are some modifications that make me think it might be a "custom" trailer (the access hatch over the rear window and the dissimilar curbside window heights)
Search here> http://vintageairstream.com/photo-archives/

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by mmeehan8

I'm pretty sure it's 1950's era, but can't find a model that looks close.

Originally Posted by BIGED52

You need to get a closer look / picture of the serial number plate next to the right side of the door.

Originally Posted by markdoane

I would guess it's a really rough 1958 Overlander.

I would agree with the three posts above. Without an interior or VIN number, it's tough to be sure.

Originally Posted by A W Warn

Search here> http://vintageairstream.com/photo-archives/

X2 ^^ SEE LINK = The best resource to help you narrow it down ^^

In the mid-late 50's there were a lot of custom orders from the factories - they were not super consistent back then when they were more handmade. By the mid-60's, the layouts & documentation became more standardized. I do believe the teardrop shaped wheel well is a late 1957-58 thing though and the end cap style is also. 1956 & before had the 13-panel endcaps.

The one real oddity is the vent & rain gutter on the back end cap - I've never seen that before. Either it's been "customized" somewhere along the way by a previous owner or it could be a 1958/59 'Custom' model. However, I suspect it is not factory installed by how crooked it is. The "Custom" models were usually made with more care. Also the odd window configuration indicates that the larger ones on the sides were most likely installed later. They don't have the vertical bracing that is typical of the late 50's windows as seen in the smaller windows.

Regardless, this one looks to be a "BIG project". Good luck!

Shari

[markdoane]

The front end damage looks bad, but it's all flat sheet so it wouldn't be hard to replace. The rest of the body looks pretty straight.
That thing over the window in the rear might be an exhaust fan?

[BIGED52]

In looking thru the pictures more carefully I have also noticed the swamp cooler on the roof. All these things lead me to believe that your trailer is indeed at '57, '58 or '59 year and if we can decode the serial plate we may be able to see if it was a standard build or a custom that was built to the purchasers desires. Many of the older/ more hand made trailers were easier to custom build back then as a coach was not built until a purchase order was submitted to the factory. It would have listed all customer requested changes to the standard coach. Were you able to get any original paperwork and title papers when you bought the trailer? Ed

[66Overlander]

You have a 1957 26' Overlander built in the California plant, as this was the only year to have the combination of both 7-panel endcaps and Hehr Standard front and rear windows. The side window style and the wheel well style are appropriate for a 1957 California built Airstream.

It looks like a standard Overlander. I see nothing custom other than the bath fan over the rear window and the dual spare tire holders on the rear bumper, both of which may have been added after the trailer was built. I beleive a swamp cooler/air and conditioner was already an option by 1957. Else that unit was added early in the Overlanders life.