[VAL] How Airstreams have changed over the years

["Tom" <thomm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

http://www.vintageairstream.com/FAQ/FAQ_1.html

Q: How have Airstreams changed over the years?
A: The late 1940's were lightweight trailers utilizing a single pipe-frame
support down the center of the undercarriage, which was also the tongue hitch.
The body shape followed the deco looking aerodynamic style of the '30's &
'40's, pointed ends front and back with a single large oval window in the
ends. There was one taillight in the back - smack in the center as allowed on
trailers back then. Interior layouts were almost always custom built to the
buyers taste, and usually lacked bathrooms as we now them now. There were no
hook-ups then, and the tank, fixture and pump technology just wasn't there
yet. Ice Boxes were standard, as were wobble type hand-operated water pumps.
Electrical system consisted of a few 120v outlets. The stoves were the Coleman
portable stove of the era, just attached to the cabinets. Furnishings were of
high quality galvanized steel, solid wood and wood veneers made by furniture
companies. All the appliances were centered over the axle for support.
Interior paint was either a pastel "tender green" or "desert sand". Windows
were lever operated, and the door included the unique for time "door within a
door" screen door.

The early 1950's brought the wider square ladder-frame and A-shaped tongue
hitch riding on leaf spring axles. The body shape became little more squarish
thanks to flat front & rear windows. Skin panel end segments were 13 pie
shaped wedges riveted together to form the curve. Brakes were electric,
operated by a lever in the tow vehicle. Later in the decade hydraulic brakes
were offered that tapped into the vehicle brake system, eliminating the need
for the hand lever on the steering column. Cranks replaced notched levers in
1955, and gas refrigerators arrived about the same time. Interior finish
became the Zolatone textured finish until the 1970's. The color mix changed
over the years to reflect the "in" colors of the time. Interior cabinetry
became more mass produced wood veneers, first with squeeze-type latches, later
with phenolic cam type. Countertops and bath surfaces were painted tempered
hardboard. The electrical system was all 120 volt with an occasional 12 volt
light operated by the tow vehicle battery. Primary illumination was from a LP
gas fired lamp. Apartment style ranges were introduced. Water systems
consisted of galvanized water tanks that were pressurized by a hand pump, gas
station air, or later, an onboard Grover or Coleman air-compressor. Copper and
then bronze waste tanks started appearing, making the trailer more
self-contained. Showers were often just galvanized steel or painted hardboard,
usually with the toilet in the middle. Better forming techniques allowed the
change from 13 panels to 7 compound curve panels about 1958. The Princess line
of RV stove replaced the apartment range. The decade ended in 1959 with the
introduction of a new style extruded aluminum window and Bowen gas fired hot
water heaters replacing the 120v under cabinet units.

The 1960's brought about a new style axle in 1961, the rubber cored
"Dura-torque". Skin panels changed once again in 1964 with 5 broader panel
segments. The early '60's also saw the introduction of the 12volt electrical
system, powered from either an onboard battery or 110v external power. This
introduced the 12 volt Marine type light fixture, the 12v water pump and
plastic water tanks, and the Uni-Volt converter. Cabinets changed from lacquer
to oiled wood, the countertops to Formica laminate, and interior endcaps were
made of one piece fiberglass.  Brakes changed back to electric.  The decade
ended with a big body style change in 1969, with each model growing in length
by one foots and getting wider by 4 inches a squared off shape.

The 1970's trailers mirrored the times. In addition the bigger, wider form
introduced in 1969, the trailers followed the style of the era again, this
time with dark vinyl wood grained cabinets, shag carpeting, plastic tambour
doors and avocado green appliances and countertops. Vista-View windows made
their debut, as did solid state "Airstream Control Centers" in the front
overhead. This was the era of the Beatrice Foods owning the Airstream company.
Microwaves appeared, as did vinyl covered walls in place of the Zolatone. The
shorter Caravel was dropped and the loaded Excella 500 was introduced as
Airstream aimed its marketing at the affluent retirees.