Help! I need a guru!! What do I have here?

[Rex ind]

Hello all! I'm a newbie here, and looking forward to working with my new crew- Well I believe I have researched this on the existing forums , and only found something from 2009.... I just purchased my first airstream project, I believe it's 1957 overlander, made in California, but it's not a 13 panel, and the windows are smaller than most, and it's a tandom axle...., so I'm curious if it's rare? Or a misfit... I'm planning the full Monty, and dumping a butt load of money and time into it, but I don't know what I have and if it's worth going all out on it, so hopefully someone here can tell me more about it? I'm not sure if I'm looking in the right places on this site, but there are more older threads on this , than there are more recent - thank you for your help, in advance - pics to follow

[Rex ind]

Trying to upload pics - sorry, stay tuned

[Rex ind]

Ok so my uploads keep failing, hope to get them posted ASAP, thx for ur patience


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[Lumatic]

As a general rule vintage airstream restorations are a labor of love. If you are looking at it as an investment you will be lucky to break even.

[desertair27]

It could still be a 57 and not be a 13 panel. Halfway thru 57 is when Airstream came out with the 7 panels. I think I read somewhere that Overlanders were made in both configurations, single axle and Tandem.
Just the fact that you have a 50's Airstream is a rare find.
Please get those pictures up,can't wait to see it.
Mike

[msmcv51]

Could this be a California whale tail ?

[Rex ind]

thanks Guys (and gals) for the quick response, I realize it will be a labor of love, just don't want to loose my arse to bad, mover to an actual computer to try uploading pics- so attempting that now, but in the mean time- its not a whale tail, the model # 6825 and it has the weird wheel openings, (teardrop I believe its called) and the original floor plan had a bed in back and in front as well

[Frank's Trailer Works]

that serial number is for a 57 overlander built in ohio

[Rex ind]

https://goo.gl/photos/kAS6KYbsTq85PHGx5

Plz try this link to view photos- thx!


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[Rex ind]

Thanks Frank for the info , I also noticed it had a California dealership tag of some type on it.

I don't see many,.... if any like this, so I'm curious why?


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[Melody Ranch]

Wheel wells are a give away.

[Rex ind]

So does anyone know if it's rare?, or custom? Or a mistake, misfit, or some cheap version wannabe- lol ? It has tiny windows, and tandom axle- doesn't look like any of the other standard overlanders ....

I Need a history lesson


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[desertair27]

Did you read up on it on the Vintage Airstream website?
Lots of great info there. It's a very desirable trailer and lots of people here would want it.
Here's more good reading on its value.
http://vintageairstream.com/airstream-price-guide/

[Rex ind]

Yes, I've researched that site as well, a lot of good info, but unfortunately can't find anything on the exact same model as mine , also franks trailer said my model number was built in Ohio, and the vintage site said my model number was CA built

Info from vintage site:
1957 Overlander 26′
Ohio | O-7359 to O-7593

California | 6NNN
(~6700 to ~6900)

My model is 6825, which falls in the CA model line

[desertair27]

So many different variations of these trailers especially back then. I did see a California tandem axle Overlander with the same windows as yours,from what I could tell.

[59ORLander]

Originally Posted by desertair27

Did you read up on it on the Vintage Airstream website?
Lots of great info there. It's a very desirable trailer and lots of people here would want it.
Here's more good reading on its value.
http://vintageairstream.com/airstream-price-guide/

Boy, those prices/values are getting outdated quickly, although they were published clear back in 2010 so I'm probably being obvious. Having said that, it's amazing how common a 30K trailer (restored) is now..

Still a bargain compared to a new 26-30 footer