Rally @Colorado Springs early 60's group picture.

[RxGuy]

Found this group picture in some of my grandmothers old photos. I think it is probably from 1962 or a little later. My grandpa (plaid shirt with the little arrow by him) had a 1962 GMC that was his tow vehicle. It is in the background of the photo behind his right arm. My grandma is sitting in front of my grandpa.

I have no idea who any of the other people are. Does anybody have any information on the Rally and maybe the people in the picture?

My grandparents were very fond of going to rallies, and I know that they had participated in a number of Caravans. Their WBCCI number was 881.

An interesting photo, thought I would share it.

Thanks

[Spartanguy]

Awesome photo.

[66Overlander]

From details I can see in the photo, this has to be about 1960 or later. The WBCCI #1593 that I can see on one Airstream was first issued in 1958, but the GMC truck is a 1960 or 1961 model (1962 was slightly different).

The biggest clue might be that this photo was taken in Colorado Springs, CO. The big WBCCI International Rally was held in Colorado Springs July 1-6, 1960, so I will guess this photo was from 1960!

Cliff and Mary ______ from Clarkston, MI were assigned #881 from 1957 thru at least 1967 (I didn't check further). They are credited with the following caravans:

• 11 - Mexico Winter 1957
• 12 - Kentucky Derby - Indianapolis Spring 1957
• 21 - Eastern Canada Summer 1959
• 25 - Western Canada Summer 1960

They likely headed to the 1960 Western Canada Caravan from the International Rally.

I can't help with the other people in the photo. While I know the faces of some early caravanners, I do not know too many and don't recognize any in that photo.

Thanks for sharing!

[RxGuy]

Thanks Joe! Appreciate the info. I know they were active through at least 1968 because I was at the rally with them that year in Grand Island Nebraska.

The Mexico caravan, is there a way to find out where exactly it went?

I was under the impression that they went as far south as Costa Rica or Panama. Probably me remembering wrong. LOL

Was there ever a time when there were Airstream caravans set up in Europe?

Thanks again, if I come across any other interesting pics, I'll post them too.

Blair

[Hittenstiehl]

Joe is the guy with the info but this is a great read also. Lots of caravan info and great photos too. And all (most) of the caravan dates are listed online. I'll check my copy of the book when I get home tonight just in case there's any info in there on them.

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by RxGuy

Thanks Joe! Appreciate the info. I know they were active through at least 1968 because I was at the rally with them that year in Grand Island Nebraska.

The Mexico caravan, is there a way to find out where exactly it went?

I was under the impression that they went as far south as Costa Rica or Panama. Probably me remembering wrong. LOL

Was there ever a time when there were Airstream caravans set up in Europe?

Thanks again, if I come across any other interesting pics, I'll post them too.

Blair

Hi Blair,
The 1968 WBCCI International Rally was in Grand Island, NE.

Off hand I do not know the itinerary of the 1957 Mexico Caravan, though it is possible that some day an itinerary or other material from this caravan might be found in club archives or elsewhere.

There were Airstream Caravans that went to Central America in 1951, 1958, 1965 and occasionally later years, but that would not have been part of the 1957 Mexico Caravan.

There were caravans to Europe in 1956, 1960, 1971, 1973, & 1977.

Over the years other caravans went to Cuba (1956 & 1958), Africa (1959-60), and Around the World (1963-64).

[Hittenstiehl]

RX

The book covers the early caravans and ends in the Africa caravan. It shows a map of the early central America caravan (51 - 52).

You tube has a good video of a Mexico Caravan in the late 50's I think because the narrator says " back in 54". Maybe it's the winter of 57. But it looks like Mexico was a trip the did every winter.

The particular video is titled,
Historical Airstream: Caravan to Mecico and posted by Southwestcoachesca.

[Hittenstiehl]

Central America Route

Early Caravans list

[Hittenstiehl]

Here is an internet photo of the 1968 11th annual WBCCI International rally over 2,000 trailers for the weekend. Nebraska weather was bad and the trailers spent the weekend tied down because of tornado warnings.

Do you remember what row you were parked in?

[vintageracer]

Was that first picture taken in the "Early 60's" OR are all the people in the first picture in their "Early 60's"?

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

RX

The book covers the early caravans and ends in the Africa caravan. It shows a map of the early central America caravan (51 - 52).

You tube has a good video of a Mexico Caravan in the late 50's I think because the narrator says " back in 54". Maybe it's the winter of 57. But it looks like Mexico was a trip the did every winter.

The particular video is titled,
Historical Airstream: Caravan to Mexico and posted by Southwestcoachesca.

Here is a link to the YouTube video of the 1957 Mexico Caravan:
https://youtu.be/sAvr6UL6VG0
It's about 24 minutes long. I have not viewed it recently, but I suppose there could be an outside chance your grandparents or their Airstream might make a quick appearance in the movie.

[RxGuy]

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

Here is an internet photo of the 1968 11th annual WBCCI International rally over 2,000 trailers for the weekend. Nebraska weather was bad and the trailers spent the weekend tied down because of tornado warnings.

Do you remember what row you were parked in? Attachment 340722

Hittenstiehl,

Thanks for all the info!

I wish I could remember the row we were parked in. It would be fun to try to figure out which trailer was ours. I definitely remember that there were a LOT of trailers there.

You are absolutely correct about the weather. One of the nights we were there, we were awakened by someone on the PA system. There was a tornado in the vicinity (less than 2 miles if I remember correctly.)and they wanted everyone to seek shelter in the grandstands at the racetrack. My grandma and I headed up to the shelter.. My grandpa...said the heck with the tornado and went back to bed. LOL

[RxGuy]

Joe great info. Thanks for the link to the video. I know my grandparents went on one of the Mexico caravans. I still have a souvenir from Guatemala (Honduras?) that they brought back. It's in storage, will have to dig it out to see.

When I was a kid, I was very fortunate to have grandparents that took me places. In 1962 they took my sister and I on a trip that was pretty cool. We were gone the whole summer. They took us to Glacier, Yellowstone, Banff, the Worlds fair in Seattle, and the Auburn Washington WBCCI rally that year. Traveled to Yosemite, Disneyland, and the Grand Canyon. A really great trip, part of the reason we have our Airstream today.

Thanks again Joe, and Hittenstiehl.

Blair

[RxGuy]

Originally Posted by vintageracer

Was that first picture taken in the "Early 60's" OR are all the people in the first picture in their "Early 60's"?

Maybe both? LOL

[vwc]

Hello, I have just seen your early ‘60’s photo of an Airstream Rally in Colorado Springs. I can’t tell you the other people in the photo, but I knew your grandparents well. I was a trailer brat and attended several events with your grandparents. I possibly have other pictures of them. We all traveled together on trips. You can contact me directly at my email, vicki@kwilliams.org.

Vicki Cheesman

[Hittenstiehl]

What an incredible connection, what fun.

[RxGuy]

Originally Posted by vwc

Hello, I have just seen your early ‘60’s photo of an Airstream Rally in Colorado Springs. I can’t tell you the other people in the photo, but I knew your grandparents well. I was a trailer brat and attended several events with your grandparents. I possibly have other pictures of them. We all traveled together on trips. You can contact me directly at my email, vicki@kwilliams.org.

Vicki Cheesman

Vicki...I will email you soon. Haven't been on the forums much lately. My wife and I have been in the middle of relocating.

This is pretty cool that you may have some pictures of my grandparents.

Thanks for reaching out...

Blair