RE: [VAL] RE: The Little Prince - Airstream's smallest & one & only.

["Forrest McClure" <rollie51@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

To all VAC members, and Airstream enthusiasts,

The owner of Der Klein Prinz, Ken Faber, has kindly given me
information on this fabulous little Airstream. Okay, it's not the
smallest ever made, but is tied for that spot with the 1947 Wee Wind.
Both are very similar in dimensions.

Ken's story:

In 1992, he met a fellow VAC member who told him of a small Airstream
at Berning's Trailer Sales in Fort Wayne, IN. The owner, Rick Berning,
kept it in the showroom as a conversation piece. Every year Ken tried
to buy it, and Rick would not sell, but finally agreed that Ken would
have first right of refusal when and if it was sold. Twelve years
later, in 2004, Rick finally relented and Ken bought it for an
undisclosed price that was "not negotiable."

It's history prior to being owned by Berning's is that it was
originally made in 1958 at Jackson Center for a lady with a teenage
son to go on Wally Byam Caravans. Byam himself gave the little
Airstream its name. It is not known at this time who the lady was or
how long she owned it. Mr. & Mrs. Hoyt, from Muncie, IN, bought it in
the 1970's off a used car lot for $800, and later traded it for an
Argosy at Berning's getting $1,500 trade-in value.

Ken Faber refurbished it by replacing the insulation, and old floor.
He gave it a newer bed, electric hot water heater, electric water pump
for the 55 gal. fresh water tank, and a Fantastic Vent fan. The Stove
and furnace are original. It has no holding tank, but uses an Aqua
Magic circulating toilet. Ken estimates the hitch weight at 100 lbs.,
and gross weight at 1,750 lbs. It is 13 ft. long, with an exterior
width of 72" and interior height of 73 to 75 inches. Its VIN is
"0P3900." As far as we know it is a one of a kind Airstream.

Thanks Ken!

Forrest McClure
VAC Librarian