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06-28-2013, 08:59 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member 
1971 31' Sovereign
Paradise Valley
, Arizona
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 15
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Oldest Airstream on the road today?
So we started our 5000 mile/ 6 week journey around the country and I'm reading up on the forum. Hubs and I were wondering what the oldest airstream is on the road today. Anyone know?
__________________
 Corinna & Toby plus 4 kiddos
Silvia '71 Sovereign 31ft
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06-28-2013, 09:30 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
1967 28' Ambassador
1963 19' Globetrotter
1970 29' Ambassador
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,180
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That would be this one ->
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06-28-2013, 09:46 PM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,718
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Oldest Airstream on the road today?
Greetings Asbury6!
Welcome to the Forums and the world of Airstreaming!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Asbury6
So we started our 5000 mile/ 6 week journey around the country and I'm reading up on the forum. Hubs and I were wondering what the oldest airstream is on the road today. Anyone know?
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As byamcaravanner posted, the oldest Airstream known to be on the road is the 1936 Liner that was built by Dr. Norman Hollman, Sr. from plans purchased from Wally Byam through a magazine advertisement. Dr. Norman Hollman, Sr. was very innovative in his continuing updates to the trailer and it was very interesting to hear him speak at WBCCI International Rallys. In later years, his son, Dr. Norman Hollman, Jr. would accompany him to Rallys. The Senior Dr. Hollman passed a number of years ago and his son carried on the tradition of telling the story of his fathers trailer. Unfortunately, the younger Dr. Hollman passed away suddenly following last year's WBCCI International Rally. I haven't heard whether any of the Hollman family will be attending the year's International Rally with their Liner.
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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06-28-2013, 09:50 PM
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#4
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1 Rivet Member
1971 31' Sovereign
Paradise Valley
, Arizona
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 15
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Wow! Thank you! So it would be entirely possible that there would be 100 year old air streams at some point on the road? Ours is a 71. I don't think she's old, but our kids think she's ancient. ;P
__________________
Corinna & Toby plus 4 kiddos
Silvia '71 Sovereign 31ft
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06-28-2013, 09:53 PM
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#5
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1 Rivet Member
1971 31' Sovereign
Paradise Valley
, Arizona
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 15
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Holy crap! He built it? Reminds be of a Sears home! Amazing!
__________________
Corinna & Toby plus 4 kiddos
Silvia '71 Sovereign 31ft
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06-28-2013, 10:19 PM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,718
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Oldest Airstream on the road today?
Greetings Asbury6!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Asbury6
Holy crap! He built it? Reminds be of a Sears home! Amazing!
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Yes, in those early pre-WW II years during the Great Depression, Wally Byam's initial entry into the travel trailer arena was in offering detailed plans so that the home craftsman could build his own trailer. I count myself as being very fortunate in having had the opportunity to hear one of those craftsmen speak of his experiences building from Wally Byam's plans and then traveling extensively across the North American Continent for many years. This history of Wally Bayam and his Airstream corporation is very interesting particularly when part of it is oral history from someone who experienced part of that history.
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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06-28-2013, 10:21 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Southwestern
, Ohio
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,671
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The Holman's trailer built from Wally's plans is the oldest Airstream on the road, but it's also worth noting that one or two specimens of the predecessor of the modern aluminum Airstream, the Bowlus Roadmaster, have been restored to roadworthy condition.
(William Hawley Bowlus was a distinguished aeronautical engineer whose accomplishments included the design of world-record-setting sailplanes and the construction of Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis.)
The Bowlus Road Chief pictured, shown at the 2007 Region 5-7 Vintage Airstream Club rally at Poplar Grove, Illinois, was restored by Gar and Mary Alice Williams.
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06-29-2013, 12:24 PM
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#8
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1 Rivet Member
1971 31' Sovereign
Paradise Valley
, Arizona
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 15
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@Nuvite- Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
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Corinna & Toby plus 4 kiddos
Silvia '71 Sovereign 31ft
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06-29-2013, 01:08 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member 
1986 25' Sovereign
Marietta
, Georgia
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 317
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it's wonderful to be a part of such a cool history, isn't it?
__________________
WBCCI# 1558
2016 Ram 1500 Crew Cab 5.7 Hemi
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01-03-2016, 08:56 AM
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#10
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Just an old timer...
2004 22' Interstate
Tipton
, Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,766
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Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander64
Greetings Asbury6!
Welcome to the Forums and the world of Airstreaming!
As byamcaravanner posted, the oldest Airstream known to be on the road is the 1936 Liner that was built by Dr. Norman Hollman, Sr. from plans purchased from Wally Byam through a magazine advertisement. Dr. Norman Hollman, Sr. was very innovative in his continuing updates to the trailer and it was very interesting to hear him speak at WBCCI International Rallys. In later years, his son, Dr. Norman Hollman, Jr. would accompany him to Rallys. The Senior Dr. Hollman passed a number of years ago and his son carried on the tradition of telling the story of his fathers trailer. Unfortunately, the younger Dr. Hollman passed away suddenly following last year's WBCCI International Rally. I haven't heard whether any of the Hollman family will be attending the year's International Rally with their Liner.
Kevin
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Thanks for this info, Kevin. I was going through some of my old photos and found a set that I've never shown of Norman Sr. in his Torpedo at the 1999 WBCCI International Rally in Sioux Falls. I was fortunate enough to meet both Drs. Holman and Norman Sr. was quite gracious and allowed me to photograph him and the interior of his trailer. So, here's a set of never-before seen photos of Dr. Norman Holman Sr. in the 1935 Torpedo he built. The young woman sitting with Dr. Holman is a long-time friend of mine and a huge Airstream aficionado. There are some here who may recognize her.
Without further ado, Dr. Holman's Torpedo:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/roger_h/7Hp7YM
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
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01-03-2016, 09:11 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Mantua
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
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Those are great photos, thanks for sending them. I wonder if the trailer has sold yet?
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01-03-2016, 09:14 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Mantua
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
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Tim Heintz designs in Florida has this trailer and I think it is still for sale.
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01-03-2016, 09:41 AM
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#13
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Just an old timer...
2004 22' Interstate
Tipton
, Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,766
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Quote:
Originally Posted by avionstream
Tim Heintz designs in Florida has this trailer and I think it is still for sale.
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Apparently it'll be up for closed-bid auction in January 2016...
Heintz Designs Vintage Trailer Restorations - FOR SALE Vintage Trailers, Parts, and Services
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
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01-03-2016, 09:58 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2010 25' FB Flying Cloud
Davenport
, Iowa
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,148
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Looks like a BASECAMP to me. Maybe this is the NEW AS model.
Mike
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01-03-2016, 10:01 AM
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#15
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Just an old timer...
2004 22' Interstate
Tipton
, Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,766
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Airtandem
Looks like a BASECAMP to me. Maybe this is the NEW AS model.
Mike
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Mike, the Basecamp was obviously modeled on the early Byam Torpedo design. 
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
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01-03-2016, 10:03 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1964 26' Overlander
Richmond
, Virginia
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 790
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I just want a copy of the plans
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01-03-2016, 10:19 AM
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#17
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Just an old timer...
2004 22' Interstate
Tipton
, Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,766
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robwok
I just want a copy of the plans
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https://thisoldcamper.files.wordpres...am-torpedo.jpg
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
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01-13-2019, 12:02 PM
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#18
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Vintagetrailer
Vintage Kin Owner
Helena
, Montana
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 30
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Dr Holmans 1935 Torpedo was built from plans and as he says, finished in 1937
Chuck and Toni Miltenberger found and restored a Masonite sided 1936 Silvercloud(#199). It took part in VACs 25th Anniversary events leading up to the 2018 Salem international
You can find a nice write up on it in Hemmings Daily News, Nov 15, 2018 and in Flytecamp YouTube (EP7) about the Bend Classic Vintage Airstream Clubs 25th.
Also history on the earliest known AS kin, a 1946 16’ Model 1 Curtis Wright (#429)
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01-20-2019, 10:49 AM
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#19
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2 Rivet Member 
1961 16' Bambi
Petersburg
, Alaska
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 20
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I'm currently running a 1948 Trailwind (#5003) around the country. I put in a new interior in the style of Thomas Molesworth. It sports an Italian cooktop, micro/macrowave oven, shower/head, queen bed and settee all in 19'. The air conditioner cover was patterned off the airstream to match. Four murals of national parks were painted in dioramic fashion on the interior: https://www.dougleen.com/ontheroad/2...ce-and-beyond/
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01-20-2019, 09:57 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1962 28' Ambassador
1961 19' Globetrotter
1962 26' Overlander
Mesa
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,996
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Very stunning Ranger
__________________
Hittenstiehl
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