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| Click here to view the Airstream Trailer ad from the October, 1968 edition of National Geographic. |
The classic Airstream travel trailer
The Airstream trailer is a brand that transcends just being another travel trailer, it has aura about it, similar to what Harley Davidson stands for with motorcyclists! Every year Airstreamer hitch-up head for the Wally Byam Caravan which their annual international rally which is being held this year at Burlington, Vermont on June 28 to July 04, 2003. Wally Byam was the legendary founder of the Airstream Travel Trailer company, who started building Airstream’s in his backyard.
It was with interest that we here at Vintage RV came across a piece in Western Living magazine (www.westernliving.ca) by columnists Frank and Debbie West about the purchase of a classic Airstream trailer. Here’s brief excerpt from their article...
“It’s getting on for a year now since Frank surprised me with the Airstream trailer that has become our home away from home, our sheltering bower on wheels, our silver yacht of the open road.
“Beaut of a boat,” is the complimentary epithet guys, window to window when we’re stopped at an over-long red light.
“Beaut of a boat,” they grunt and sometimes, if they hang around long enough, or if they are plainly Airstream enthusiasts, Frank will ask, “Wanna look in?”
“Little love palace,” they’ll say admiringly. “You got yourself a little rolling love palace here!” I try to be good-natured about it.
Venus de Mile 0 is the moniker painted none too subtly, in backhand and in lavender, on the butt end of our trailer, a vintage 22-foot, 1960 Flying Cloud. It was previously owned and lovingly restored by a ranching couple from Texas. They planned to haul it on their second honeymoon, along the Alaska highway.Alas, just days before they were set to embark, He learned that she was receiving special tutoring from their workshop facilitator. The marriage was on the rocks and the Flying Cloud was on the block.”
Such is part of a story that appeared in the October 2002 issue of Western Living magazine written by the Wests. Visit the Western Living magazine Web site and read the entire article, it’s a hoot!
Talking about Airstreams, I was recently flipping through the pages of a 1968 issue of National Geographic and came across an Airstream Travel Trailer ad. Here’s some of the ad copy from an ad entitled “Discover Real Travel Adventure.” Click here to view the ad.
Want to visit exciting new places? Perhaps you know a road somewhere you’d like to follow to the end. It’s all the same with an Airstream Land Yacht... good beds, bathroom, hot and cold water, refrigeration, heat and light independent of outside sources. You just tow your Airstream lightly behind your car and follow your travel whims...
For extra fun join a Wally Byam Caravan.
Here’s some info on a cross Canada Caravan planned for June 2003.
R-252 CROSSING CANADA CARAVAN
6/10-6/25/03
Leaders: Ron and Carolyn Florence
Join our journey eastward across Canada, destination, Essex Junction, Vermont for the 46th International Rally. Rendezvous at Dutch Lake Resort, Clearwater, BC, Tuesday, June 10. Experience the scenery along the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Banff National Parks, spend a full day at Banff, continue through Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, arriving on day twelve at Niagara Falls, ON. Tours and shuttles leave from the campground to visit the falls and to ride the Maid of the Mist. Last stop will be Herkimer, NY, for our Final Banquet, arriving at Essex Junction on the 25th for entry to the rally grounds. Caravan is limited to 25 Airstreams. Anticipate having hookups at each location. The kitty fee is $695 (US) for two people in RV, $605 (US) for one and $90 (US) for each extra person. Deposit of $200 (US) must be enclosed with reservation coupon. Balance must be paid by March 1, 2003. Make checks payable to Crossing Canada Caravan and mail to Ron and Carolyn Florence, Caravan Leaders, PO Box 208, Montesano, WA 98563,
Ph. (360) 249-5714, e-mail wbcci3500c@techline.com.
Do you have a vintage Airstream Travel Trailer story to tell or have you attended a Wally Byan Caravan. We welcome you stories and photos here at Vintage RV. Send them by e-mail to info@kpimedia.com |
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