Wally's 1955 Bubble for sale?!

[safari62]

Originally Posted by byamcaravanner

PeeWee,

We recently visited the factory with my buddy's '61 Caravel in-tow. Our tour guide asked "who's got the old Bambi parked outside?" Even though I told him it's a Caravel - several times during the tour he continued to refer to it as "your Bambi."

So...you're not the only one.

BTW, he also kept telling us it is worth $15,000

Hi Steve,
Everyone's just Bambi crazy. and they are all worth 15,000 right. I had a guy stop by last week and asked if my trailer was a Baby....I said do you mean a Bambi?
Bubble, Bambi, by Jeezy his is a great little trailer! So much history and in good orginal condition. But now that you are a season Caravel traveller this could be just a bit too small for a family of four.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by PeeWee

Most, but not all, of Wally's trailers had a 12 x 12 (or there abouts) vent in the floor of his trailers. This allowed him to open his roof vents, the floor vent and allow a flow of air without opening the windows. Allowed sleeping without all of the "extra" noise.

Do you have any photos of the "floor vent"? For those of us in less hot, but wet, areas, it may be an idea to install one for ventilation without resorting to air conditioning.

[PeeWee]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Do you have any photos of the "floor vent"? For those of us in less hot, but wet, areas, it may be an idea to install one for ventilation without resorting to air conditioning.

I don't have pictures of the floor vent.

The only trailer that is available that "had" ad floor vent was the gold trailer. Because of modifications it is probably gone.

The 1947 Byam/Vanderbilt European trailer had a floor vent.

Wally's 1951 trailer used on the 1st Caravan had one.

If the "Bubble" owner in this thread can take a picture of the floor it may show a floor vent.

As mentioned not all of Wally's trailers had floor vents, but most of them did.

Pee Wee

[Roamin Cat]

Hi Pee Wee,

I started the thread because I stumbled across this apparent piece of Airstream history and was surprised by it, but I do not own this unit.

Not sure if the owner is a forums member, but it is not advertised here. Seems like this was news when I sent it in, not old news.

Would love to know if this is really one of Wally Byam's trailers, it appears to match the great photos you sent in (thanks!). Seems like an amazing piece of history which ought to be properly preserved. If I had the money and skills I'd go for it

[Melody Ranch]

This Airstream sat at the entrance to the Texas Vintage Ralley a few months ago. It never did come into the Vintage group area....just sat in the common KOA parking area at the entrance lot. Asking price was 21000 and dropped to (I heard) 12000 by Saturday night. It was REALLY rough and needed everything to make it usable. I like restoration projects but this was out of the question.

[Roamin Cat]

thank you Melody Ranch - nice to hear from someone who has actually seen this puppy!

I wondered what kind of shape it could be in after such extensive travel, and seemingly neglected for who knows how long after that.

Not buying, so it really doesn't matter, but does it's history count for anything?

Just wondering.

Also wondering why this was listed as a '55 when the travel itinerary on it indicates a voyage in '47?

[carnegie1935]

In early Feb there was a Vintage Airstream Rally at Montgomery Texas. There was a man came by on Sat pulling a trailer like this one. It had the caravan date listed like this one. I looked inside and it was in pretty rough shape. It would take lots of TLC to restore the interior. There were some long time airstreamers questioning if it was really Wally's trailer. Something about certain dates and locations . Since I was only looking , I didn't listen to a lot of the discussion. The man was pulling it with an old model pickup. He drove around the campgrounds and stopped in the parking lot for us to look.

Maybe somebody that was at the rally and looked at it with more knowledge than I have about models will look at the ad and chime in on this.

This is listed as at College Sta. Tx and that is only abour 55 miles from the rally location. I have a friend from College Sta. that worked on some wiring in my MH in Jan. He told me his ex-brother-in-law claimed to have an airstream that had been owned by Wally B. May be the same one.

Kay

[Jim Clark]

What peaks my interest is this, the trailer may or may not be original I think it is just to much work to fake. Pee Wee stated that Wally had several trailers, I don't necessarily think the dates on the trailer refer to where the trailer has been but where Wally and Stella had been. Wally was a good promoter and would of had his iteanrry added to any trailer he used to promote his Caravans. Only Pee Wee would know about the Airstream sign on the inside of the door. I think the trailer is one of many Wally used, has it traveled on all of the Caravans listed not likely. Great trailer would love to have it.

[cameront120]

Sweet VW in post #15. I love the old air-cooled cars.

[carnegie1935]

Good point Jim. I was just sharing what I saw and what I heard. There is the right person who has a desire to own this trailer that will pay that price and restore it. When I see the values and prices for items on Antique Roadshow and EBay, I know that there are collectors that want and are willing to pay for what they want. This is free enterprise at work. I wish the owner the best in getting what he wants for this trailer if it is really a Wally trailer.
Melody ranch, I didn't see it pulled thru the vintage section , but I did see him pulling it thru the upper area of airstreams.

kay

[Antique Pedaler]

Originally Posted by PeeWee

Wally and Stel towed the 16 footer with a VW rag top.

I really question pulling an AS of any size with that VW. The one pictured is a pre 59 model with probably a 30 hp engine or possible a 36 hp. I once barely pulled a pop up camper with a 60 hp VW.

[PeeWee]

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

What peaks my interest is this, the trailer may or may not be original I think it is just to much work to fake. Pee Wee stated that Wally had several trailers, I don't necessarily think the dates on the trailer refer to where the trailer has been but where Wally and Stella had been. Wally was a good promoter and would of had his iteanrry added to any trailer he used to promote his Caravans. Only Pee Wee would know about the Airstream sign on the inside of the door. I think the trailer is one of many Wally used, has it traveled on all of the Caravans listed not likely. Great trailer would love to have it.

When Wally used a trailer he had his travels painted on the curbside front. Two reasons. Pride in his travel accomplishments, and to show people that an Airstream had been there and done that.

With the pictures of the trailer, and the discussions on this thread all indications point to this "Bubble" being the geniune article.

The Airstream trailer plate on the inside door tells you Wally slept here.

Here is the gold trailer, not only an Airstream plate, but a Wally Byam Caravanner plate.

Who ever gets this trailer will enjoy the history of the trailer, and the wonderful times and miles enjoyed towing it.

Pee Wee

[PeeWee]

Originally Posted by PeeWee

Wally and Stel towed the 16 footer with a VW rag top.

Originally Posted by Antique Pedaler

I really question pulling an AS of any size with that VW. The one pictured is a pre 59 model with probably a 30 hp engine or possible a 36 hp. I once barely pulled a pop up camper with a 60 hp VW.

Wally and Stel did. It was adequate for their scouting of the 1956 European Caravan. Wally did many, many amazing things...and I guess this is another one. In 1953 he used a VW van.

Pee Wee

[safari62]

Originally Posted by PeeWee

Wally and Stel towed the 16 footer with a VW rag top.

Originally Posted by Antique Pedaler

I really question pulling an AS of any size with that VW. The one pictured is a pre 59 model with probably a 30 hp engine or possible a 36 hp. I once barely pulled a pop up camper with a 60 hp VW.

So. you are questioning the great Wally? But you did the same thing with a vw that weighed twice as much as a bug.

I am sure Wally Byam made a few calls in advance and had Hans drop in Porsche motor and add on a few suspension mods. I can tell by that menacing squat and extra exhaust pipes coming out the sides.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

safari62 notice the open Wally hatch above.

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by safari62

So. you are questioning the great Wally? But you did the same thing with a vw that weighed twice as much as a bug.

I am sure Wally Byam made a few calls in advance and had Hans drop in Porsche motor and add on a few suspension mods. I can tell by that menacing squat and extra exhaust pipes coming out the sides.

It maybe just a little late to question the action.

Wally also carried a motorized bicycle on his back bumper, suggest that today and see how long and evolved the thread gets. Wally got things done.

Looks like a motor on the bike front wheel, Pee Wee can you tell us?

[Stefrobrts]

Wally could carry a bike back there, because when the rear end started to separate he had people to fix it

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

Wally could carry a bike back there, because when the rear end started to separate he had people to fix it

We all have people who can fix it. It appears that the trailer has a support under the window so I am sure it was modified. Someone posted a similar modification. When the bike is in the trailer it appears to be a men's bike when the bike is on the ground it is a women's model.

[47WeeWind]

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

... When the bike is in the trailer it appears to be a men's bike when the bike is on the ground it is a women's model.

That's because it's bike-sexual.

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by 47WeeWind

That's because it's bike-sexual.

That makes my day, I am still laughing.