Finding old VIN# or WBCCI #

[jessica54]

We're trying to find the VIN or WBCCI # of my great grandpa's airstream. All we have to go off of is his name. We have 2 pictures but can't read the red numbers. Any ideas?

[CanoeStream]

Hi jessica54 - Hope you're enjoying the forums! The red WBCCI number from the top-front of the Airstream (if there is one there) will allow a few members to identify the owner as your grandpa.

Are you talking about your '64 Overlander? Take a look at 64Overlander -- in the left blue column, click to enlarge the picture with the door and window. The VIN should be on the Airstream manufacturer's plate down low you see just forward of the door.

The top left corner of that same page has the VIN format for either California or Ohio produced Airstreams.

This from a resource maintained by a private individual and Airstream enthusiast -- Vintage Airstream Photo Archives. Other trailer examples can be researched there in the same fashion.

[Grand Master]

What was your great grandad's full name, and what time frame was he a member of WBCCI?

Some of us have old directories that we could look him up by name to get his red numbers. The VIN# is not listed in the directories.

[jessica54]

His name was Virgil Cannedy from Carterville, IL. It was some time in the 70s, but I can get a better date later this week. Thanks!

No it wasn't our Overlander. We can't tell what kind it was because only part of it is in the picture.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

post your photos and you will be amazed at how quickly it will be identified.

[bigshoe13]

Hello, My sister has bought a 14 ' airstream it has a number on it "23689" does this identify its year or its member# ? any help would be appreiciated

[easyride]

Originally Posted by bigshoe13

Hello, My sister has bought a 14 ' airstream it has a number on it "23689" does this identify its year or its member# ? any help would be appreiciated

Maybe I`m showing my ignorance ,but I thought a 16' was the smallest AS.,where is that # located? Dave

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by bigshoe13

Hello, My sister has bought a 14 ' airstream it has a number on it "23689" does this identify its year or its member# ? any help would be appreiciated

Where did you find that number?

[dwightdi]

No Cannedy in 1971 or 1976. Cannady in 1971 but were from Kansas.

[jessica54]

Thanks for looking! I'll try to dig up more info. I'm also trying to track down more pictures from other family members.

[bigshoe13]

I have not seen the camper but she said it was a 14', it may be a 16' but she said it was a 14', also she says the number is across the back, Thanks

[silverleeper]

Originally Posted by bigshoe13

I have not seen the camper but she said it was a 14', it may be a 16' but she said it was a 14', also she says the number is across the back, Thanks

The number that will be the most helpful is located just to the right of the door as you walk into the Airstream. Should be on a metal plaque.

[Grand Master]

No Cannedy in 1960, 1966, 0r 1973. Sorry.

#23689 was the WBCCI number for Stanley & Beverly Skilken, 99 S. Columbus Ave., Columbus, OH 43209. This was found in the 1973 Directory. It does not give any information about the specific Airstream they owned in 1973. It is likely that your Airstream was owned by them though.

[az-streamer]

Grand Master -

not trying to hijack the thread but it seems you have a load of good info on AS history.

we have #1601 and have traced it back to Wesley & Rachel Dyer [Canada & Europe] around 1960-61.

do you have any directories that would show if this is the first year it was issued? or if this number [1601] was originally issued even earlier?

thanks in advance for any help on this,

az-streamer

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by az-streamer

Grand Master -

not trying to hijack the thread but it seems you have a load of good info on AS history.

we have #1601 and have traced it back to Wesley & Rachel Dyer [Canada & Europe] around 1960-61.

do you have any directories that would show if this is the first year it was issued? or if this number [1601] was originally issued even earlier?

thanks in advance for any help on this,

az-streamer

While I don't have the 1958 Membership Directory, I can tell you that WBCCI # 1601 was first issued in 1958.

[Grand Master]

Joe is correct. Number 1601 would most likely have been issued in 1958.

My family's WBBC #1200 is first listed in 1957, and we barely made that issue because the highest number listed is 1209. By 1960, the highest number is 4359.

We knew the Dyers who lived in Indianapolis, IN. I don't know what happened to them, but they dropped out of Airstreaming sometime between 1967 and 1972. Their number (1601) was reassigned to Roland & Patty Noblin of Raleigh, NC.

Wes & Rachel Dyer were on the 1960 Caravan to Western Canada and the 1961 Caravan to Eastern Canada.

As a point of pride, my family is listed in the "Wally Byam's Caravanners and Club Members 1957 directory" as Frank, Marge, & Mike Brumback, Pendleton, IN #1200. I don't find another example where the child of the primary member is listed in the directory. I consider myself to be a member of the WBCCI since 1957 (with a lapse of membership from 1987 - 2008 - sans Airstream).

Mike Brumback
1963 Tradewind

[az-streamer]

Wow - great info!

a BIG thanks to 66overlander and Grand Master for the history on WBCCI number 1601.

fyi, i personally was only "issued" a few years before it.



az-streamer

[007brian]

Any info on number 26225 it is on a 65 Caravel I just bought. It is registered in Wash. but has been in Montana as well. This AS has been off the road for at least 10+ years
Thanks Brian

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by 007brian

Any info on number 26225 it is on a 65 Caravel I just bought. It is registered in Wash. but has been in Montana as well. This AS has been off the road for at least 10+ years
Thanks Brian

WBCCI #26225 was first assigned in 1972. In my 1975 WBCCI Membership Diretctory, which reflects membership as of 12/15/1974, #26225 was assigned to George and Maud Allen of Baton Rogue, LA. Same in 1980, but they are no longer listed in 1981 or 1982. They are not listed as having participated in any caravans.

#26225 is not listed in any of my directories after 1982, either, although I do not have a complete set, so someone else may have had the number for a short time in between the directories I do have. Someone else may have had #26225 before between 1972 and 1975 as another alternative, too, although I might consider that unlikely.

It may have been that the Allen's had your trailer in Louisiana, but that cannot be absolutely proven from the Directories. Finding a dealer name or sticker on the trailer from Louisiana or nearby, or similar papers inside could help make the case that they owned your trailer. If so, how it got to Montana and Washington is a mystery yet to be solved (or maybe that is unsolvable).

In any case, enjoy your trailer.

[007brian]

Joe, thanks for the info. It is cool to find out some of the history.
Brian