[VAC] Re: Oddball '62 Tradewind?

["Fred Coldwell" <Agrijeep@xxxxxxxxx>]

Jim:

   Since I cannot run a TNA analysis on the trailer to
positively ID it, I'll offer some guesses and suggestions.  

   Guesses: Sounds like a 24' Double bed trailer # 708 made
in Santa fe Springs, Calif. during October 1961.  The high
sequence (or serial) number 708 suggests nothing too
special.  It has the optional tandem axles and optional
louvered windows and perhaps other options, which were
available in Tradewinds since 1960; see the 1960 tandem
Tradewind in R.J.'s trailer photo site.  Sounds like the
toilet is in the same location and space as the shower,
although that might be a misdescription by Mark. 

   The single gold anodized panel is unusual (is there a
matching single panel on the other side?).  Perhaps the
customer liked Wally's gold anodized African Safari
(Capetown to Cairo) trailer, asked for something similar and
was given only one gold anodized panel because a an entire
trailer's worth of gold as reserved only for Wally.  Maybe
the factory was testing a new look and seeking customer
reaction.  Maybe it was a lead trailer for the new model
year, as the factory suggested, and was used and shown in a
factory sponsored Caravan.  Maybe a dealer speciial ordered
it to cause a stir and generate some traffic.  Maybe the
factory had to unload some anodized aluminum panels because
of Wally's declining health.  I'll stop guessing there.  
  
   Suggestions:  Modesto sounds like California.  Does the
Calif. DMV sell title searches that lists all prior owners
of a motor vehicle or trailer?  Is there an old WBCCI number
on the trailer from which former owner(s) could be tracked
down?  Maybe Mark could find former owners (or their
descendants) and ask them.  Until he gets the CSI team on
this case, Mark will probably continue to face some
ponderables.  

Fred in Denver