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02-01-2017, 08:39 PM
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#41
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Rivet Master
1972 27' Overlander
Denver
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 768
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You might want to reach out to Pee Wee Schwamborn. Wally was his Uncle and he went on a lot of trips with him. He might be able to provide some help.
__________________
Lucky Dave, Denver NC
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02-01-2017, 08:47 PM
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#42
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Rivet Master
1963 22' Safari
2020 27' Globetrotter
State of
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,512
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mccrosti
You might want to reach out to Pee Wee Schwamborn. Wally was his Uncle and he went on a lot of trips with him. He might be able to provide some help.
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I had a great conversation with Pee Wee on the way home and have been emailing him pictures and hoping he has some front kitchen pictures in his archives. I had the honor of meeting and talking a lot with him at the Baker City Oregon rally a few years back, our first WBCCI rally when they dedicated the Wally Byam Museum where we also showed for the first time our 63 safari from the around the world caravan. Awesome guy, and an encyclopedia of Airstream knowledge.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f150...1-a-46195.html
I need to call him again though!
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02-01-2017, 09:12 PM
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#43
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Rivet Master
1999 30' Excella 1000
small town
, Maryland
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 802
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goransons, Think twice about replacing panels. In the corvette world, a surviving car is worth more than a restored car. So by having most or all it's original exterior might be more appealing. A good body man can do miracles. Yes it will have some battle scars, that's what makes it more authentic. I'm sure more will chime in. Maybe ask the Discovery or history channel about making a documentary on restoring ''Airstream's Holy Grail''. Maybe get a advance on movie/book deal to finance the project. Or good advertising for the company that restores it for you at a discount. I think Wally, smiled on you this week This thread is going to be epic...no pressure goransons.
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02-01-2017, 09:17 PM
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#44
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Rivet Master
1962 22' Safari
2016 30' Classic
Southeast
, Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,987
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goransons
Today Megan and I purchased a 1955 "Cruiser" off of the Portland Oregon Craigslist. I had been tipped off by a great friend (a different Wally, FLYRC on the forums) to an odd trailer on the page.
Being a 1955, why did it have 7 segments, why did it have the jalousie windows on both sides? I dismissed it (it was over priced) and it sat for several weeks.
Sunday night I ran across it again, and started noticing more things, an odd bumper, more pictures showing the H-20 lock, but noticing it had signs of a front kitchen, lots of airstream badges, just too many odd things to explain including the different water heater and front rock guard.
I shared photos Monday morning with Joe, the VAC historian, who confirmed the trailer as Wally Byam's. It took 18 hours but the trailer is home safe. It's going to be a HUGE restoration project, but the end goal is to get as close to original as possible while still being practical for our family to use (in other words it will have functioning appliances and modern wiring etc).
I've got several big projects, Airstream (including "Windy") and house, so it will be done gradually. It's already been suggested we start a go fund me sight to help restore it but we'll cross that bridge as we take in what we have. Here are just a few pictures, a few more to follow after some much needed rest. We're going to need to find quite a few things, the short wave antenna, jalousie hardware for one window, the original light fixtures, latches, drawer pulls, and I'm sure more as we dig in further. Our plan is to restore the outside to original conditions, even the bike rack.
Thanks to Joe for providing the historical pictures.
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Glad I could help identify this unique and historic "Wally Byam slept here" trailer in time for you to complete the purchase. I had often wondered where that unique Airstream was hiding.
I am glad it is going to someone that appreciates it and will restore it back to what it once was. You have a big challenge, but are the right guy for the task! I will continue to help in any way I can.
I should note that most of the historical photos are courtesy of the Estate of Helen Byam Schamborn, by way of Dale "Pee Wee" Schamborn. One is from a Life magazine photo archive that I found on-line a few years ago, that I can no longer find.
__________________
Joe
Wally Byam Caravan Club International Historian
Vintage Airstream Club Historian
WBCCI/VAC #702 & #6768
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02-01-2017, 09:29 PM
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#45
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
1995 34' Excella
Lynchburg
, Virginia
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,225
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My sincere congratulations!
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02-01-2017, 09:46 PM
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#46
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Rivet Master
1962 22' Safari
2016 30' Classic
Southeast
, Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,987
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goransons
Here's the water heater, quite unique!
Also noticed that the floor was originally cork square tiles. Heard from Frank Yensen a few weeks back in just a general conversation that Wally Byam like cork floors and he was right!
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I would not be surprised if that was the very first exterior mounted propane water heater ever installed in an Airstream. The story goes that Wally wanted one and convinced a company to make it some time in the 1950s. I have seen this style, with the round center port, occasionally show up in late 1950's Airstream in photos. I know at least one or two (probably more) were used on the 1959-60 African caravan. I have never seen that style on a 1960's Airstream though. Finding a replacement might be tough, but there may be some still out there. Rebuilding it may end up being a possibility. I guess time will tell. Good luck!
__________________
Joe
Wally Byam Caravan Club International Historian
Vintage Airstream Club Historian
WBCCI/VAC #702 & #6768
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02-01-2017, 09:52 PM
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#47
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Rivet Master
1963 22' Safari
2020 27' Globetrotter
State of
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,512
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Quote:
Originally Posted by streaminwild
goransons, Think twice about replacing panels. In the corvette world, a surviving car is worth more than a restored car. So by having most or all it's original exterior might be more appealing. A good body man can do miracles. Yes it will have some battle scars, that's what makes it more authentic. I'm sure more will chime in. Maybe ask the Discovery or history channel about making a documentary on restoring ''Airstream's Holy Grail''. Maybe get a advance on movie/book deal to finance the project. Or good advertising for the company that restores it for you at a discount. I think Wally, smiled on you this week
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Rest assured anything we can keep original including interior parts will be. Only recent abuse will be repaired or replaced. I'm a history buff and so is my wife. The build is half the fun, but financing the project will be the next step besides collecting all the necessary pieces to put the puzzle back together
__________________
Scott & Megan
VAC LIBRARIAN WBCCI 8671
1963 Safari from the 1963-64 Around the World Caravan
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02-01-2017, 09:56 PM
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#48
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Rivet Master
1962 22' Safari
2016 30' Classic
Southeast
, Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,987
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken J
Wow - I own the other trailer in the first picture - get that restored and maybe we can get them together again - mine is 90% done - it's amazing what happens to these trailers and where they are found - mine sat in a storage unit in Amarillo Tx for 20 years - I think if you search "a very famous Airstream " you will see pics of #50 - keep in touch and up to date on your restoration - mine took about four years
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Ken, I have other photos from the 1956 European Caravan showing your Airstream as well as the original owners of your Airstream, Louis & Mildred Mousley. Contact me by email if you want me to send some to you.
BTW, of the approximately 36 Airstreams that were on the 1956 European caravan, yours and now Scott's are the only two that I know of that have been identified as still existing. I wonder if any others will ever be found and properly identified?
__________________
Joe
Wally Byam Caravan Club International Historian
Vintage Airstream Club Historian
WBCCI/VAC #702 & #6768
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02-02-2017, 04:30 AM
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#49
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Rivet Master
1972 27' Overlander
Denver
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 768
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So glad you got in touch with Dale - he's a treasure trove of information and an all around great guy!
__________________
Lucky Dave, Denver NC
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02-02-2017, 08:16 AM
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#50
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Rivet Master
1963 22' Safari
2020 27' Globetrotter
State of
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,512
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Missing window:
I do want to protect what is left from the elements so I need to find a few other things
First, it's missing the mechanical parts to one jalousie window. Glass is 3" and 8 panes tall. I'll take some close ups of the complete ones this afternoon but need to remove the plywood first. Yesterday after work focused on snow moving to park the thing.
The other item is all three roof vents are missing everything and they don't look like the early 60's hear vents. The base on the roof appears to be steel. Pictures to follow.
__________________
Scott & Megan
VAC LIBRARIAN WBCCI 8671
1963 Safari from the 1963-64 Around the World Caravan
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02-02-2017, 12:13 PM
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#51
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Rivet Master
1986 25' Sovereign
2008 F350, 6.4L diesel
, Oak Harbor, WA
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 605
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Fyi, there are thread on the forum that cover fixing original skins. There has been recent results using an English wheel to restore the shape. In my biased view there is not many skins that need to be replaced.
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02-02-2017, 12:26 PM
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#52
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Rivet Master
1963 22' Safari
2020 27' Globetrotter
State of
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,512
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I've been very impressed with that thread. I will reuse everything possible to preserve history.
To the rear of the door that short panel will get replaced to delete the wood stove added at some point.
The Tradewind my wife and I are finishing with Flyrc's help was beyond English wheel but Aerowood's roller fixed dented end caps nicely. Here's that project
. It's almost done now. All original restored woodwork, less than one 4x8 sheet of new oak in it. Countless hours of veneer repair etc.
__________________
Scott & Megan
VAC LIBRARIAN WBCCI 8671
1963 Safari from the 1963-64 Around the World Caravan
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02-02-2017, 04:52 PM
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#53
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Rivet Master
1963 22' Safari
2020 27' Globetrotter
State of
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,512
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__________________
Scott & Megan
VAC LIBRARIAN WBCCI 8671
1963 Safari from the 1963-64 Around the World Caravan
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02-02-2017, 06:35 PM
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#54
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Rivet Master
1963 22' Safari
2020 27' Globetrotter
State of
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,512
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Joe has been sending me pictures from his archives. This overhead picture shows some interesting roof vent covers (which are all missing). Any guess? Wondering if those are cutouts with plexi for light?
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02-02-2017, 06:54 PM
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#55
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
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Don't ya wish these old trailers could talk and tell you where they have been ?
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
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02-02-2017, 08:05 PM
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#56
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Rivet Master
1962 22' Safari
2016 30' Classic
Southeast
, Michigan
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,987
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goransons
Joe has been sending me pictures from his archives. This overhead picture shows some interesting roof vent covers (which are all missing). Any guess? Wondering if those are cutouts with plexi for light?
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Wally's Gold trailer had similar vent covers. They appear to be nothing more than Hehr covers with round holes cut into the center for a plexiglass lens to allow light in, with the lens held in place by a rubber gasket. Attached are two photos (originally obtained from the estate of Helen Byam Schawmborn by way of PeeWee) that show these lids on the Gold trailer.
In the first one, that is from the 1957 Kentucky Derby-Indy 500 Caravan, you can see what appears to be a rubber gasket around the lens.
In the second one, that is from the 1959-60 African Caravan, you can see thru both lenses with what looks like a Hehr bracket without a fan in the front location and with a fan in the rear location.
__________________
Joe
Wally Byam Caravan Club International Historian
Vintage Airstream Club Historian
WBCCI/VAC #702 & #6768
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02-02-2017, 08:58 PM
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#57
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Rivet Master
1957 22' Caravanner
Port Hadlock
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 864
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Way to go, Scott!
Nobody better than you to save this trailer.
cheers,
steve
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02-03-2017, 02:52 PM
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#58
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Rivet Master
1972 27' Overlander
Denver
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 768
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Also, get in touch with Colin Hyde regarding the Jalousie brackets he may have some Or may be able to point you in the right direction for replacements. What a cool find!
__________________
Lucky Dave, Denver NC
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02-04-2017, 11:59 AM
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#59
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3 Rivet Member
1959 26' Overlander
1960 24' Tradewind
1960 24' Tradewind
Yakima
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 202
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Scott do I need to head to Texas?
__________________
Wally H.
Parts needed
1962 Street side corner tub
range or parts
Dometic 50 or parts
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02-04-2017, 12:17 PM
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#60
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Rivet Master
1991 25' Excella
2011 19' Flying Cloud
Santa Ynez
, California
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,185
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No 1
Looks like a great project!
Why does it have no 1 when its a 1955 and first caravan was in 1951 with an earlier trailer?
Excuse my ignorance.
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