[VAL] Ancient Airstream RV

["Rich Luhr" <rich@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mark, we are working on an article for the next Airstream Life magazine 
which refers to a completely custom traveling coach built for Andy 
Charles, the former President of Airstream (in the 1960s).  Andy 
Charles left Airstream and commissioned a custom motorhome built 
(apparently) from a 1971 Oldsmobile Toronado.  It is NOT the one which 
has been circulating lately via Doug Keister and other sources, alas.

This motorhome was described as follows, by a man who helped work on 
it:  "He cut right behind the front doors, extended the chassis, took 
it to Connecticut to a yacht builder, and they built something that 
looked like a 26-foot armored car with a double bed extending over the 
cab.  They built a big mold first, and worked from the inside of the 
mold with fiberglass.  We did all the interior work.  Everything was 
stainless steel, all the latches and everything on it.  He also put 
bulletproof windows in it because he was traveling to some interesting 
places."

I believe the motorhome went to Europe and may or may not have come 
back.

Apparently this thing in no way resembles an Airstream.  In fact, it is 
not an Airstream because it was entirely custom-made by others.  But if 
anyone thinks they may have stumbled across a picture of it, I would be 
very interested to see it.  I can still get any picture authenticated 
by my source who helped work on it.

If you think you've got a picture of this thing, send me an email at 
rich (at) airstreamlife dot com.

Thanks

Rich Luhr, Editor & Publisher
Airstream Life magazine
PO Box 74
Ferrisburg, VT 05456
802-877-2900