Vintage Camper Trailers Airstream edition

[Sid]

Just thought I would pass this along since I know more than a few Airstream owners contribute regularly and their are others that just enjoy history.
The current edition of Vintage Camper Trailers is dedicated to Airstream. Tons of interesting articles and pictures.

[Sid]

Just my size!

[Roger H]

Originally Posted by Sid

Just my size!

I got to meet Doc Holman Sr. at the 2001 International Rally in Sioux Falls SD and tour his '35 Torpedo. He was a celebrity there and quite the character. I think that the '35 Torpedo was up for auction since both he and Doc Homan Jr. both passed away. Here's a link to some photos from the 2001 Rally:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/roger_h/3s9p57

And a shot of Doc Holman Sr. in his '35 Torpedo

Doc Holman Sr by Roger H, on Flickr

[Roger H]

By the way, I believe that Doc Holman's Torpedo is still for sale by sealed bid...

1935 Airstream Torpedo For Sale (Oldest & rarest in the world!)

[DJO]

Always nice to see a little history.....and the men/women who create it. What did the first fiberglass campers look like? Who were the first few companies?

[Mr Lynn]

Originally Posted by DJO

Always nice to see a little history.....and the men/women who create it. What did the first fiberglass campers look like? Who were the first few companies?

I'd be interested in this, too. Maybe a separate thread?

/Mr Lynn

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Mr Lynn

I'd be interested in this, too. Maybe a separate thread?

/Mr Lynn

Here's a good place to start: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...nts-26760.html

[Mr Lynn]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Here's a good place to start: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...nts-26760.html

Thanks, Donna. Looks like there's a book to be written on the history of molded-fiberglass campers in North America.

Were there any before the Boler?

/Mr Lynn

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Roger H

By the way, I believe that Doc Holman's Torpedo is still for sale by sealed bid...

1935 Airstream Torpedo For Sale (Oldest & rarest in the world!)

It sold and is now permanently at the Sizemore RV Fusion in Amarillo Texas.


The story of the Doc and the trailer was/is very cool. Who know we had him to thank for not having to use a hand pump only in our trailers!

[Roger H]

Originally Posted by Mr Lynn

Thanks, Donna. Looks like there's a book to be written on the history of molded-fiberglass campers in North America.

Were there any before the Boler?

/Mr Lynn

Cloud 9 trailers' production apparently goes back at least as far 1965; with Burro being their heir-apparent. And the Airstream Wally-Bee in '63. I don't know of any other production trailers that are older than those, although there may be some one-offs.

[Jon in AZ]

There is the 1959-1960 Geographic trailer.

Not sure if you would count it as a "production" model. It appears to have been intended for production, anyway. Several were made, but as far as I know, only one remains, and it recently sold to a buyer in France.

[Donna D.]

Here's a thread about the 1957 Champ: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...amp-50320.html

[Donna D.]

Here's one that's similar to the Little Champ, built in 1958. A Pleasurecraft: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ook-31643.html

[Roger H]

Then there's the 1954-1956 Ranger pop-ups... while they're not a full egg-style trailer, the body and top IS molded fiberglass.

This one lived for some period in Spencer, IA