Airstream
Airstream is a brand of recreational vehicle manufactured in Jackson Center, Ohio. The company, which employs approximately 400, is the oldest in the industry. Airstream trailers are well recognized for their distinctive rounded aluminum bodies, which originated in the 1930s from designs largely created by Hawley Bowlus. Bowlus was the designer of Charles Lindbergh's aircraft, the Spirit of St. Louis.
Early history
The company was founded by Wally Byam, who began building Masonite trailers in his backyard in Los Angeles during the late 1920s. Byam, a lawyer by training, published a magazine selling "how-to" kits to customers wishing to build their own trailers. He then acquired the struggling Bowlus Company. In 1936 Byam introduced the "Airstream Clipper", which was essentially a rebadged Bowlus. The design cut down on wind resistance and thus improved gas mileage. It was the first of the now familiar sausage-shaped, silver aluminum Airstream trailer. Byam moved his operation to Jackson Center, Ohio, in 1952, where Airstream's (and parent company Thor Industries) headquarters still reside.
Models
Of more than 300 trailer builders operating in 1936, Airstream was the only one to survive the Depression years. However, during World War II, leisure travel became a luxury most could not afford and non-military industries faced an acute aluminum shortage. Airstream Trailer Co. closed its doors. Byam decided that the best way to help the war effort was to use his experience with aluminum fabrication in the aircraft industry, taking jobs at Lockheed and Curtis Wright for the rest of the war. When World War II ended, the economy boomed, and people's attention once again turned towards leisure travel. Byam's company went back into production in 1948.
By that time, the demand for Airstream trailers increased tremendously, with a wide range of models eventually being offered. In July 1952 a new facility in Jackson Center, Ohio, was established. By August of that year, the first Ohio-made Airstream rolled off the line, and the California factory was also moved to larger facilities in Santa Fe Springs and later Cerritos. 1979 saw the last Airstreams to be manufactured in California.
Beginning in 1974 Airstream began manufacturing a Class A motorhome, badged "Argosy". These began as painted aluminum 20- and 24-foot models, and were followed in 1979 by the first of their Classic model motorhomes, with an unpainted aluminum body, much like the trailers they are known for. In actuality, these were modified trailers, mounted on a step van chassis also modified for the motorhome.
The Class A motorhomes began as 28-foot models, and in the '80s and '90s, models ranging up to 37 feet were marketed. These classic motorhomes were followed by the production of more traditional-looking fiberglass models in the '90s. Airstream discontinued manufacture of Class A motorhomes in 2006. A recent model, the Skydeck, featured bus-like construction and interior stairs leading to a fully appointed deck on the roof.
Starting in 1989, Airstream also built Class B motorhomes based on the Ford Econoline chassis and the Dodge B-series van chassis. Named "B190" after their class and 19-foot length, production ceased after the 1999 model year. In 2004, Airstream introduced the Interstate, Parkway, and Sprinter Westfalia touring coaches, which are based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. The Westfalia was discontinued in 2006.
Airstream, based in Jackson Center, Ohio, is owned by Thor, Inc. and still produces their traditional aluminum-skinned trailers, along with Class B motorhomes and the recently added Basecamp trailers. The company presently manufactures approximately 2,000 motorhomes and trailers per year.
Currently, Airstream produces four models: Safari, Safari Special Edition, International (CCD Signature & Ocean Breeze) and Classic Limited. Lengths range from 16 to 34 foot and they manufacture two models with slide-outs (30 and 34 Classic). Their most popular models are the 25 and 27 foot "front bedroom" models. Safari SE and International are the most preferred trim levels.
Airstreamers
Airstreamers are a group of RVers who share a community spirit because of their mutual love of the trailers. In the early 1950s, Airstream company founder Wally Byam began leading groups of owners on travels to many portions of the world, where the towed trailers were quite remarkable. Photos taken of the trailers in front of many famous tourist sites were common. This promoted a mystique which surrounded Airstreams and persists to this day.
The Wally Byam Caravan Club was formed during the 1955 rally in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada. Later, the word "International" was added to the club name, resulting in the acronym "WBCCI". On August 17, 2005, a commemorative plaque was dedicated on the site. Club members join together for one large International Rally each summer (which by club rules always includes the dates of July 1 and July 4), and hundreds of smaller local rallies are held coast-to-coast by "units" (chapters). Airstreams are more popular than ever, and restoration of older models is a passion shared by many.
Trivia
In 1969, upon their return from the Moon, Neil Armstrong and the crew of Apollo 11 were quarantined in a modified airtight Airstream trailer, until it could be determined that there was little likelihood of their having brought back "lunar pathogens" with them.
When on the set, Mark Harmon lives in a 25-foot 1972 Airstream he restored himself instead of the 42-foot Star Waggon the other stars have.
In the early '80s, Francis Ford Coppola had a special Airstream trailer commissioned which was subsequently fitted as a mobile film editing suite. It was nicknamed the "Silverfish".
On the "Q" episode of Good Eats, Alton Brown's Airstream trailer is used.
The Surreal Gourmet aka Bob Blumer (as seen on the Food network) uses a customized 19' Safari Bambi for his travels in his popular TV show.
Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie took an Airstream with them while they were filming The Simple Life Road Trip. An Airstream is driven around America by the Green family in the CBS TV series Promised Land, aired 1996-1999.
Other Airstream owners: Anthony Edwards, Ron Howard, Tom Hanks, John Ratzenberger, JJ Cale, Corbin Bernsen, Rutger Hauer, Sean Penn, Matthew McConaughey, Tim Burton, Brian Johnson, Andy Garcia, Matthew Modine, Johnny Depp
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