Is this a 1947 Liner?

[cosmotini]

I was driving down Interstate 55 south of Springfield, IL and saw this beauty on the frontage road - old Route 66.

From looking at the Vintage Airstream site, I think this might be a 1947 Liner.

The body seems to be in very good condition. The underbelly is all intact. The front and back windows are both there but broken. All of the side windows are intact. The screens have just rusted away.

The interior seems to be original and largely intact.

I think it has a stainless stove top, ice box (really) and sink cabinet.

The pipe frame appears to be in good shape.

The light fixtures appear to be original too!

There was some obvious floor rot to the right of the door but the rest of the floor didn't appear to be too bad. I tapped it with a screwdriver at various places around the edges.

It's for sale. No price indicated, just a phone #. If anyone is interested I have the owner's phone # and will forward it. I also have about 30 pics if anyone wants to see them.

Here are a few pics.

Dennis

[cosmotini]

Something happened with the 5th pic. It was the plate with the s/n. I'll try to repost. Added another with the mfg of the inside cabinets.

[cosmotini]

The clipper's front windows are split. The front window on this unit is just 1 glass and looks almost identical to it's rear window.

Dennis

[markdoane]

Dennis,

Right you are. I was wrong about the Clipper (deleted)

[47WeeWind]

Originally Posted by cosmotini

From looking at the Vintage Airstream site, I think this might be a 1947 Liner. Dennis

Dennis:

Great eye! The "model number" 11 2 47 on the data tag is actually the date it rolled off the line, so Liner serial #1084 is a 1947 built Airstream. I think Airstream's model year, if that concept even existed back then, was a calendar year for 1947. The data tag still lists the factory location at the L.A. Metropolitan Airport, telling us at least 84 trailers were built there before the factory moved to 1755 No. Main Street in L.A. This Liner appears to be quite complete and unaltered. Very nice find.

[cosmotini]

I just posted 32 pictures to the Photos gallery. Look under 1950's Airstreams. Sorry moderators, there is no category for 1940's Airstreams.

I spoke with the owner earlier today. He gave me permission to post his name and phone number for anyone interested.

His name is Shaun Webb. His phone is 217-414-4897. He's asking $5,000 but might take $4,000.

He acquired this trailer when he purchased some property. He said it even has the original dishes. I didn't see any but I didn't open the cabinets when I went in. Did Airstream supply dishes in the early days?

He doesn't know a whole lot about the trailer. He said the only thing he did to it was change the tires so he could tow it where it is now.

I hope someone here gets this neat piece of history and brings it back to life!

Hey Rich & Brett - Vintage Thunder II?

Dennis

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by cosmotini

He acquired this trailer when he purchased some property. He said it even has the original dishes. I didn't see any but I didn't open the cabinets when I went in. Did Airstream supply dishes in the early days?

Dennis

Yes, Dennis they did! They had multi-colored melmac dishes that came with the trailers, and if I'm not mistaken, they supplied a place setting for four. There were wall-mount wire racks above the galley where they self-stored. They were pretty cool! I have a photo around somewhere of original Airstream dishes in an unrestored '48. I'll have to see if I can find the photos...

Roger

[C Johnson]

I can restore it when I get done with my Caravel ! hmm......

Love the countertop. The original dishes too would be great !

[mandie10]

Looks just like the one I thought I had bought, although the interior had been stripped out of it, see "An unfortunate experience" (search)
It truly is a beautiful trailer, I hope it found a good home and has been/is being restored.
And still with original dishes - what a find. I thought it was great to have the original ice trays still in the refrigerator of the 1965 Tradewind I bought!!!


Mandie

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Boy do I feel foolish... I just realized the date of this thread.

I think the only mistake you made was telling it's location. I can guarantee you the sharks are centering in on that one as we speak.
That would be the 84th trailer built after the war. Wally himself probably spent time working on it. In those days the factory was very simple and just about everything was done custom for the customer.