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01-31-2017, 11:52 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master 

1963 22' Safari
2020 27' Globetrotter
State of
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,508
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FOUND!! Wally Byam's '55 Cruiser - 1956 European Caravan trailer
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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01-31-2017, 11:55 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 

1963 22' Safari
2020 27' Globetrotter
State of
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,508
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__________________
Scott & Megan
VAC LIBRARIAN WBCCI 8671
1963 Safari from the 1963-64 Around the World Caravan
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02-01-2017, 12:27 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master 
Currently Looking...
Mantua
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
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Wow!
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02-01-2017, 12:49 AM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member 
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 188
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Was the Caddy included in the deal?
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02-01-2017, 06:50 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master 
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,410
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You've got the disease bad, but I guess everybody needs a hobby. Great find.
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02-01-2017, 06:54 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master 
Lakes Region
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 815
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That's awesome. Do you get to officially put the "1" back on it?
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02-01-2017, 07:16 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master 

1963 22' Safari
2020 27' Globetrotter
State of
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,508
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The Caddy, I WISH! Will I do some looking for it, certainly would love to find it!
Kip, guilty as charged, however some things are going to have to get sold to do this project. Not sure what yet, it may be our Streamline, could even be our SS clipper, not sure, but I know the bank account won't support this many trailers, nor will my parking area next to the garage.
Randy, We plan to put all the exterior writing back, including the names and caravan info, but will fly our own red numbers (8671) in the window that we were fortunate enough to get which originally belonged to Cecil and Mary Tolle who took our 63 Safari on the Around the World Caravan in 63-64.
I'll post more pictures this afternoon, but alas I have to go to work!
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02-01-2017, 07:23 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master 
1999 30' Excella 1000
small town
, Maryland
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 802
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Nice save. It's hard to imagine how a trailer with accolades as this one, can be so neglected to the point of non recognition. Obviously the story about this trailer was lost long ago. Congratulations you have found Airstream's Holy Grail. The Craigslist ad, is still up. Restore this one to the finest detail.
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02-01-2017, 08:24 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master 

1963 22' Safari
2020 27' Globetrotter
State of
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,508
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That's the plan Streaminwild. Can anyone ID this water heater model? Never seen this type. The top reminds me of Bowen models but not sure. Hoping someone has a usable one somewhere.
__________________
Scott & Megan
VAC LIBRARIAN WBCCI 8671
1963 Safari from the 1963-64 Around the World Caravan
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02-01-2017, 08:24 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master 

1963 22' Safari
2020 27' Globetrotter
State of
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,508
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__________________
Scott & Megan
VAC LIBRARIAN WBCCI 8671
1963 Safari from the 1963-64 Around the World Caravan
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02-01-2017, 08:54 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master 
1999 30' Excella 1000
small town
, Maryland
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 802
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You may want to get the owner history. Take lots of pictures and document everything. Your story on restoring this icon ''Saving Airstream's #1''... will make a great book. Of course pictures for the book has to be previewed on this forum  You may not know it yet... but good karma is heading your way.
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02-01-2017, 10:28 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master 

1963 22' Safari
2020 27' Globetrotter
State of
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,508
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The club historian (Joe Peplinski) has info for the owner after Wally, and we have info back to 1977 in Oregon. Will be interesting to see if we can piece the rest in. Based on the butterflies and flower paint job I'm guessing it had some free spirited owners in the 60's.
__________________
Scott & Megan
VAC LIBRARIAN WBCCI 8671
1963 Safari from the 1963-64 Around the World Caravan
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02-01-2017, 10:34 AM
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#13
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Silver Spud
1975 31' Sovereign
Twin Falls
, Idaho
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 65
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subscribing.
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02-01-2017, 10:54 AM
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#14
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Site Team

1964 26' Overlander
1964 19' Globetrotter
OlyPen
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,795
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Very cool! You'll need a bigger garage...
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02-01-2017, 11:02 AM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member 
Vintage Kin Owner
Superior
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 442
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What! A! Find!
__________________
1972 33' Streamline Emperor Crown Imperial
1949 30' Spartan Royal Mansion
2012 Nissan Armada
Most of China
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02-01-2017, 11:11 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master 

1963 22' Safari
2020 27' Globetrotter
State of
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,508
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Janet I agree. I need a winning powerball ticket to buy the orchard across the street. Across town there is a big barn I can have if I could move it. Just a few hundred k short I think, probably 7 figures
__________________
Scott & Megan
VAC LIBRARIAN WBCCI 8671
1963 Safari from the 1963-64 Around the World Caravan
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02-01-2017, 11:30 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master 
1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 733
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Congratulations, and better you than me! It would be nice to have but I would much rather spend my time camping.
__________________
Royce (K0RKK) 146.460 simplex
Web page https://spearfishcreek.net/
AIR# 3913
'77' Minuet 6 Metre, behind a 2005 stock Jeep Rubicon with Equa-L-Zer hitch.
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02-01-2017, 11:37 AM
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#18
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2 Rivet Member 
1958 22' Flying Cloud
portola valley
, California
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 79
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That is very cool indeed. Please post pics and things you do as you do them!
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02-01-2017, 11:40 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master 
Currently Looking...
Taos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 566
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There is a similar trailer with the decals or painting detailing locations visited that is suspended in the air at the RV Museum in Amarillo. Not sure the history but I bet they have it online - could somehow dovetail or relate to this one as another piece of the history puzzle
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02-01-2017, 11:44 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master 
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
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I wish you were closer
Congratulations!!! Now, dive into it. Wish you were closer because I have an entire, original interior and the new plywood walls for my Liner. I am sure most of it would be the same as your project...if your going original. I have my eye on you.
__________________
"If it can't be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted
then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production."
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