- 2 hours ago
A private Airstream tour turns into a deep dive into vintage trailer history, rare restorations, and one collector’s lifelong obsession with aluminum classics. At the Airstream International Rally in York, Pennsylvania, Patrick meets James Schaal and walks through four standout trailers from his collection, each with its own story, era, and character.
From a 1966 Airstream Caravel restored from a floating shell into a luxury camper for his mother, to a rare 1960 Caravel with original details like the door-in-door, flip-out stove, and propane lamp, every stop reveals how much craftsmanship sits inside these vintage RVs. The tour also includes a 1965 Airstream Ambassador turned barn lounge party trailer and a 1948 Airstream Liner restored with period-correct details, original-era furnishings, and a surprising amount of history.
This is part trailer walkthrough, part restoration story, and part preservation of Airstream heritage. James talks about towing, polishing, original fixtures, vintage layouts, and why these classic campers still inspire collectors today.
Perfect for vintage Airstream fans, RV history lovers, trailer restoration viewers, and anyone searching for an Airstream tour, classic camper documentary, vintage RV walkthrough, or interview about rare Airstream collections. It’s also a great pick for viewers who enjoy restoration stories, travel trailer history, and collectible vehicle content.
From a 1966 Airstream Caravel restored from a floating shell into a luxury camper for his mother, to a rare 1960 Caravel with original details like the door-in-door, flip-out stove, and propane lamp, every stop reveals how much craftsmanship sits inside these vintage RVs. The tour also includes a 1965 Airstream Ambassador turned barn lounge party trailer and a 1948 Airstream Liner restored with period-correct details, original-era furnishings, and a surprising amount of history.
This is part trailer walkthrough, part restoration story, and part preservation of Airstream heritage. James talks about towing, polishing, original fixtures, vintage layouts, and why these classic campers still inspire collectors today.
Perfect for vintage Airstream fans, RV history lovers, trailer restoration viewers, and anyone searching for an Airstream tour, classic camper documentary, vintage RV walkthrough, or interview about rare Airstream collections. It’s also a great pick for viewers who enjoy restoration stories, travel trailer history, and collectible vehicle content.
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TravelTranscript
00:00This is Patrick with New Jersey's Outdoor Adventures YouTube channel here at the Airstream International Rally.
00:05This is their 68th. Just bumped into James here, and James has a really cool Airstream collection.
00:12Not just an Airstream collection, he has an awesome vintage Airstream collection.
00:16These things have some history to them. He's going to give us a tour of each one.
00:20You're going to get to see four different ones in this episode, and these things are awesome, so join us.
00:26Hey guys, thank you for having me on, Patrick. This is my shawl collection, something I've been working on for
00:33several years.
00:35I've been Airstreaming now since I was 14. First international rally was in Daweswell, Virginia.
00:41Absolutely had a blast there. I think I drank a little too much aluminum Kool-Aid, and from one Airstream
00:47international rally, it's led to every single one.
00:49Since we are currently here, as Patrick said, in York, Pennsylvania, and I am super excited to be here.
00:55But yeah, I'd love to show you kind of what I've got going on here.
00:58This is my very first Airstream. This is a 1966 Airstream Caravelle.
01:03Now, when I got it, it didn't look anything like this.
01:07There was nothing in it, to be exact.
01:09And really, truly, I probably should have never towed at home.
01:12Now, I only had to go a couple miles, so no one freaked out.
01:15But when I got it, there was no subfloor in it, which means the way it works is the Airstream
01:20is built with the frame, subfloor, then the shell is attached to it.
01:23Now, we were missing that middle piece, so the shell was pretty much just floating in midair as I'm cruising
01:27down the highway-ish.
01:29Anyway, it sat in the driveway there for about a couple months, and once we were oohing and aahing over
01:37it, we put some cardboard down.
01:39We were, like, playing on the inside of it, trying to figure out exactly what we wanted to do.
01:43And once we kind of had a really rough game plan of what we had envisioned, we put all-new
01:50subfloor in it, brand-new floor in it, and then what's really magical about this trailer, let me take you
01:56inside, is it's got a queen-size Tempur-Pedic bed.
01:59Now, most people, you know, when they go camping, they really, you know, the biggest thing they complain about is
02:05sleep.
02:06And me and my father's goal when we were restoring it was to really create a comfortable experience for my
02:12mother, actually, to go camping, because she really wasn't a camping-type person.
02:16And she's always complaining, I'm sleeping on a four-inch mattress, no one wants to do that.
02:21So we made luxury the number one thing.
02:24Now, this wasn't our first, first Airstream.
02:27Our first Airstream was a 23-foot 2014 International.
02:32And when we were talking to other Airstreamers, interviewing them, trying to figure out what we should do, what amenities
02:37needed to be in here, they all said,
02:38James, we never cook in our Airstream.
02:40We cook outside, we cook on a fire.
02:42You know, you don't need a kitchen when you're at an Airstream rally.
02:46And we're like, okay, that kind of makes sense.
02:48Now, do I cook in my personal Airstream now?
02:51All the time.
02:52But for this trailer, we never cook in it, so it doesn't matter.
02:55The only other thing that people complain about, or comment is probably the better word, is there's no bathroom in
03:01here.
03:01You know, what do you do in the middle of the night if you have to use the bathroom?
03:04Well, we kind of solved that.
03:06It's not the most luxury thing in the world, but there is a port-a-potty in there if you
03:10have to use it.
03:11It's completely composting.
03:12So that's, you know, just a little hidden feature there.
03:16Now, what we've also got going on in here is we've got a Goal Zero Getty.
03:21I believe it's the 1200 series.
03:23This is an older one, back when Goal Zero was really getting started.
03:27It's also got 200 watts of solar on the roof.
03:29It keeps this thing plenty charged for what we need and the little lights that we run in here.
03:34Now, Mom's second request, if we were going to do it, was a wine cooler.
03:38So we've got a wine chiller in here.
03:39You know, all the amenities when you're out camping in the middle of the woods, of course.
03:43If you're sleeping good, you've got good, comfortable, temperatured wine.
03:47That's all you need.
03:49We've also got a beautiful seating area here.
03:51Super plush again.
03:53I mean, comfort was this trailer's number one key.
03:58I used it.
03:59This is the trailer I learned to tow on.
04:01I towed with it for several years until I got more comfortable.
04:04Turns out towing the bigger trailers are easier than these little ones,
04:07but that's not something they really like to say.
04:10Now, if you're also looking for some more space in here,
04:12the table does open and shut.
04:14So you can shut it completely flat.
04:17You can have some nice space for changing.
04:19I mean, this trailer, it's a good first practice.
04:22I was, I believe, 16 when I restored this trailer to completion.
04:26It took about three months.
04:28Most Airstreamers take a couple years.
04:30I was determined.
04:32Now, something we had seen, I believe, on another Airstreamer's door was a sticker door.
04:38We filled this thing absolutely all the way up.
04:40There's a couple of them, like Aruba and whatnot, that are on there.
04:44It's just a place we went to.
04:46It's not a place that the trailer went to, but a majority of those places that trailer
04:49has been, which is really unique.
04:53So what's also really neat about this trailer is this is the first year of the curved glass
04:58windows.
04:59I can show you on some of the other trailers where it's a flat panel.
05:02So that means when it's open and if you were to break it, very hard to find.
05:07So let's hope that we don't do that.
05:09This is where the furnace was at one point in time.
05:11It's no longer in there.
05:12I don't need it for this rig.
05:14Now, something that's kind of unique about this trailer is it's got a clothes drying rack
05:19on the back of it.
05:20Something I don't, I'm assuming not original.
05:23This is probably someone else's, you know, genius creative design.
05:26Um, but I thought it was unique and they just pull out when you're going down the road.
05:31So your dirty laundry is not hanging on the back unless you really were trying to dry something
05:35quick.
05:36Um, trailers just powered off of one 10, um, super, super easy.
05:40It's just charging the battery does this trailer also has no water.
05:45So again, I can take this thing in the coldest conditions and be relatively comfortable as
05:50long as I've got electricity.
05:52Um, this trailer, uh, took a while to polish.
05:56Um, each trailer we have takes about a hundred ish hours to polish.
06:00Although this trailer is not extremely perfect right now.
06:04None of my trailers are mirror finish, but they are, they're decent for, you know, what
06:09we've got going on here now, as we continue to work our way through, and we're going to
06:13about to get to one of my favorite trailers a little bit later, it's out also Patrick's
06:17favorite.
06:17It's a 1948 Airstream liner.
06:19But before we get to that, let's talk about this Airstream Caravelle over here.
06:23So this is a 1960 Airstream Caravelle.
06:25You know, what's really super unique about this trailer are a couple of things in 1960 was
06:30the first year of the Airstream Caravelle.
06:31This is also what is referred to as the custom international land yacht package.
06:36So if you're out in the wild and you see an air, a vintage Airstream, that's got these,
06:41um, these placards on it, odds are it's a relatively special model.
06:45Um, something, you know, most people really don't know, but it is really unique.
06:49This trailer comes from the era of the around the world caravans and the amazing caravans
06:53that Wally, um, and the Airstream company were putting on back in the day.
06:57This one was loaded.
06:58I mean, it has every single option you can get.
07:00Um, back in the day also, this came with both propane and electric.
07:05Um, some of the models didn't come with a lot of them.
07:08What's also cool about this trailer is it has got a, uh, a door-in-door, which is kind
07:12of unique.
07:12So they stopped doing this in 1964.
07:16Um, so basically if you're wanting to shut your door, but get some ventilation, that is
07:24what is referred to as the door-in-door.
07:27I have traveled with this trailer, um, several thousand miles.
07:30It's really a unique rig, um, something I still feel comfortable to take out on the road
07:35today.
07:36Um, now what's also cool about this trailer and something that Airstream used to do and
07:40was Wally's design is back in the day, they used to put lamps right here and I've got a
07:46couple of them.
07:47Um, so basically it's like a house lamp that sits right here and we've got a, just a flickering
07:51light bulb in it.
07:52Super unique, probably one of the most conversational topics that a lot of people talk about when
07:56they see this trailer.
07:58So as we bring you guys on in here, this trailer is a whole lot more usable than the other
08:04Caravelle that you guys were just in.
08:05Um, I mean, you could properly camp in here and live in here if you really wanted to, um,
08:10if you were creative.
08:11Now this right now I have it, uh, converted to a bed, but it can also be a dinette if
08:17you're really wanting to, um, which is kind of unique.
08:19Um, we've got a, a propane 12 volt and, um, 120 volt fridge right there.
08:27So three fit three-way fridge.
08:29It's got a sink.
08:30Um, we've got some upper head cabinet storage, which is really unique.
08:34Now, something else that Airstream used to do back in the day, probably something that
08:38you wouldn't necessarily want right now.
08:40Um, but it is a propane lamp lamp.
08:43And in the winter time, when you kick that thing on, it's not intended for heat, but boy,
08:47will it get this trailer hot.
08:49Um, it's also got some overhead storage right here, which is really unique.
08:53Um, Flo right here.
08:55Uh, she has probably been to more international rallies than a lot of people.
08:59Um, she came from a Airstreamer that used to do it all the way back, dated back to the
09:03eighties.
09:04Flo was always in the, um, uh, in the vendor hall.
09:07So I like to carry on her tradition.
09:09Um, what's also unique about this trailer is it's got all the original light fixtures.
09:13Everything in here is actually 100% original other than the, um, some of the amenities
09:19like your fridge, hot water heater.
09:20Those have all been modernized, but they were in here.
09:22The trailer was also painted at some point in its life.
09:25Now, what's also super unique about this trailer is it's got a flip out, um, stove.
09:31So you can be cooking up your breakfast right here.
09:33You got your stove right here, your oven right here, which is super unique.
09:37Love this teal blue combination we got going on here.
09:41Um, another nice just pantry right here.
09:46Um, some art on the walls.
09:48Now, what's also super fun about this trailer is there's a second place to sleep.
09:53This pulls out and it might not look like it from where you're at, but it looks like a
09:56queen.
09:57It pulls out to a queen size bed, which is super cool.
10:00Um, something else that's kind of unique about this trailer is something that I was able
10:03to find and recreate.
10:04These are the rally placards that you get at these in air stream international rallies.
10:08Um, we are currently on our 68th one.
10:11Um, but this is the first 10 of them also got just an around the world caravan poster.
10:16Cause why not kind of fits the vibe.
10:18Um, and then what's also super unique and the bathroom's got some stuff in it right now,
10:22but it's got a, um, you know, it's a full wet bath.
10:24So you can take a shower, use the bathroom, whatever you need to do.
10:28Um, there's storage everywhere in this trailer.
10:30Um, I don't really know what's in here, but you know, you got mirror and then the original
10:37Airstream lifetime warranty that they used to put on all the trailers.
10:41That's the original finish right there.
10:42Again, if the previous center wouldn't have painted it, it would have been great.
10:45This trailer has also, uh, got a fantastic fan.
10:48Um, it's got a 12 volt light and a 120 volt light in the same fixture.
10:51It's actually got that light in all, all of the fixtures throughout the caravan.
10:55Um, so you can be boondocking in this thing and, um, you got your same lights on.
10:59It doesn't look anything different.
11:00It's also got a heat pump and a full AC in here.
11:03Um, and it's keeps the rig super comfortable.
11:06This also pops up if you want to pop it up and you can get some nice fresh ventilation
11:11in there, even if it is raining.
11:12Um, it used to have a, uh, TV antenna on here.
11:16It's still up there, but I cut the wire because who the heck watches TV when they're out camping.
11:22So now what's also super fun about this tire, uh, this trailer is it's on some white wall
11:26tires.
11:27That's some, another comment a lot of people like to, like to talk about.
11:30Um, I just love the look of them.
11:32Now this trailer has also been lifted.
11:34Um, it was lifted from the factory.
11:36So it is higher off the ground for some of those, um, around the world, um, you know,
11:40travels that they were building these trailers for.
11:43Um, now this trailer is also like I had mentioned in the trailer over here, that one's got curved
11:48windows.
11:48This one has flat paned windows and they are dual paned glass.
11:52So when you were out in those colder months, um, you're not getting that cold breeze.
11:56We've got a nice porch light here, which is kind of fun and unique.
11:59Um, and I absolutely love all these window skirts that they would put on this model.
12:02Um, just super classic and, and, um, looks really cool.
12:06Um, spare tire holder pops down.
12:10Um, so you can access your trunk for your, um, uh, all your electrical plumbing, whatever needs.
12:16I've got a hitch on the trailer as well.
12:17I don't tow anything.
12:18I'm not from Tennessee or am I?
12:20I don't know.
12:21Um, anyway, I absolutely love the, uh, Airstream, um, decals that they put on this rig as well.
12:27Super, super unique.
12:28Up here, we've got another one of those international, um, land, custom land yacht, um, emblems.
12:35And, uh, back in the day also, they didn't have the button that they have on your, you
12:40know, your new Airstreams that you can just lower the jacks and or the cranks.
12:43You had to hand tighten them yourselves.
12:46Um, they take time.
12:47So you really got to want to be stationary to be somewhere, but, um, boy, do they, they
12:53do work.
12:53They, they do work really well.
12:55Um, the underbelly and everything under there is all original as well.
12:58It's got a black and gray tank and, um, uh, yeah, I mean, this trailer is still rocking
13:06and rolling and she is a old girl.
13:09Now we're going to skip over this 48 just for a minute, just to keep you guys engaged.
13:14Um, it's, this is one of my favorites, so I can't wait to show you now, basically in
13:21order, my family, we've got 12 Airstreams total.
13:23Um, and, um, after we got our first one, this was then the first one was our second and then
13:30this was our third.
13:31Mama Shawl said, we don't need to buy another trailer after we bought our second one.
13:34Well, guess what?
13:36When we pitched her the idea of creating a barn lounge and bringing Airstream into the
13:40family business, she was all for it.
13:42Um, so what we did is we went out and found a 1965 Airstream ambassador.
13:46Um, she's a super, super fun girl.
13:49I'm actually going to take you, um, and show you a couple of the outside things before we
13:53get inside because it's super interesting.
13:55Um, this is a beautiful fabric from back in the day, Zip D.
14:03Um, she is still in pristine condition.
14:06I mean, Zip D, an amazing, amazing company.
14:09And guess what?
14:10They are still on your units to today.
14:12So super fun.
14:14Love the fabric.
14:16Um, this is, was also, this is a dual axle.
14:22Not that that really matters, but she does ride nice and clean.
14:25Got some cool, just vintage outlet covers here.
14:28Um, kind of unique and fun.
14:31This trailer has no tanks, no hot water heater, no furnace.
14:35We took all of those amenities out because the key word here is fun.
14:40We want to have fun.
14:41Um, this trailer has also been used for, uh, various events like, uh, Gibson guitar, um,
14:48out in the pilgrimage festival.
14:49So we absolutely love our relationship with them.
14:53And, uh, yeah, it's just a pretty girl.
14:56So let's go and see what all the fun is going on in here.
15:00Um, so this isn't your average Airstream, as I'm sure you can see, this trailer is outfitted
15:07to, let's just say, let's outfitted to party.
15:10Now each, um, uh, under each seat has got, uh, storage.
15:15So we keep tablecloths and whatever we need to, to, um, facilitate an outside party, but
15:20it's got full storage all the way around.
15:22Um, it's got full, uh, Bose surround sound speakers.
15:26It is got 12 volt lights up top.
15:30Um, but what I really love running is my, my up lighting from Philips Hue.
15:34I can really set the mood, get whatever color you are interested in.
15:38Um, we've also got just a 4k TV, another Bose sound bar that ties into the stereo system.
15:43So we can really get you rocking and rolling in here.
15:45Um, all custom curtains, burlap, just to really make it nice, feel nice and warm.
15:50Cedar everywhere, cedar floor, cedar benches.
15:53This right here is called Blonde Onyx, absolutely gorgeous.
15:56It does light up, um, when I, when I turn it on, um, super, super cool.
16:01Just stone that is from Pakistan.
16:03Um, this bar is also outfitted right now we're in rally mode.
16:08So it's got some stuff back here, but it's a full stainless steel bar, all live edge top.
16:12Again, love the cedar.
16:14Um, now what you guys aren't seeing is everything is framed out in here in poplar because we,
16:18we wanted to recognize bringing all these heavy woods in here that we would be able to
16:22keep it lighter and lightweight so we can, um, we can stay safe going down the road.
16:26Um, it is all the original skin.
16:29Um, it was painted at some point in its life.
16:31Doesn't bother me because it's super easy to wipe down when someone is, you know, throwing
16:36up their red wine accidentally and then they get it all, uh, everywhere.
16:39Now, where we're going with that is this is all Sunbrella fabric.
16:43It is from California.
16:44Um, so basically what we can do if someone, you know, does have to have, happen to have
16:49a little too much fun in here and spill something, it all wipes down super easy.
16:53I've had these cushions now for several years and they still basically look brand new.
16:57I absolutely love this trailer.
16:59Now, so this door is from 1965.
17:04This is the first, um, uh, year door that they did not do a door in door.
17:08It's got some chalkboard paint and whatever, whatever on it, um, the Gibson logo.
17:13And then what's also really unique about this trailer is it is on a single hinge.
17:18Now these hinges are great until they're not because once they're thrown out, they're very
17:22hard to get realigned.
17:24Thankfully, I haven't had any of those problems and I hope not to know something else that's
17:28super interesting about this trailer is you'll notice that this door is probably reversed
17:32than the door that is on your current Airstream.
17:34Um, basically most of the doors open this way.
17:37So when it's barreling down the highway, the wind is going with every single door that
17:42is on it.
17:43Now, if this is open just a little bit and we're going that way, wind is hitting here
17:47and it could rip it open.
17:49Hasn't happened to me yet, but, um, uh, hopefully that doesn't happen.
17:53I've got little blocks and whatnot that I put in here just to keep it nice and clean.
17:57Um, we've also got a old vintage stone guard on the front of this, um, just to make sure
18:04that we're not kicking up stones, Airstream, uh, logo up there from the sixties.
18:10This trailer also used to be in the, um, uh, Airstream club way back in the day.
18:14I've got a lot of its history.
18:15Um, it was part of the Hudson Bay Mohawk unit.
18:19Um, and we have honored the original owner's name.
18:22We call this one Vera and she was an absolute rock star back in the day.
18:25So, yeah, I mean, we just love to have fun.
18:30Now, as we walk to this, um, 1948, this is probably one of my most prized possessions.
18:36I absolutely love this trailer.
18:38Um, it was probably calling my name.
18:41Um, the owner of this trailer originally actually lived in my neighborhood.
18:44He moved to Charlotte, North Carolina.
18:47I had no clue.
18:48I always knew that there was an Airstream in the neighborhood, but never knew where it
18:50was.
18:51They moved the trailer and then, um, I got a phone call one day wanting to restore it.
18:55I asked the guy where he's originally from.
18:57He said he was from Roanoke.
18:58I said, I'm from Roanoke.
18:59He then said, well, I'm for, I was lived in Botetot.
19:02I said, I live in Botetot.
19:03I told him I live in Rainbow Forest, so on and so forth.
19:06He lived three doors down from me.
19:08This trailer was always stored inside.
19:10Um, now when he had it, he had completely gutted it.
19:12He wanted to modernize the trailer and nothing wrong with that, but he had saved every single
19:17piece that he had taken out of the trailer.
19:19And, um, he put it all in his basement.
19:22He wasn't going to use it.
19:23Now, what's super cool about this trailer is it is a 13 panel Airstream, um, and it's
19:29got, uh, a brand new frame on it.
19:31It's got a brand new axle on it.
19:33So everything from the frame up is original frame down is completely safe to be towed down
19:39of the American highways.
19:41Um, the trailer does have some propane appliances.
19:44I do not have them hooked up because I'm not, um, let's just say I haven't gotten to that
19:49point yet where I've wanted to use them, but I do have it just in case.
19:53Now, what's super also cool about these, um, this trailer is it's got these beehive marker
19:58lights.
19:59I mean, they look amazing when they are glowing at night.
20:01It has got a door and door as well, um, which is super unique.
20:06Um, it has also got these windows that pop out this way and this way I've got them taped
20:10right now because no one wants one of those opening when they're going on the highway.
20:13What's also unique about this trailer is when we have this trailer restored, um, we had,
20:17not that we are scared of anything, but this is bulletproof glass in case one does break
20:21or fall on the floor.
20:23It's hopefully not going to break.
20:24So each window, um, each bulletproof piece of glass was a thousand dollars when we purchased
20:29it.
20:30So it was, she's ready to rock and roll.
20:33Um, what's also super cool about this trailer back in the day, they used to have these, uh,
20:36tire skirts.
20:37So it looks like the aluminum goes all the way through, all the way down.
20:40Um, this trailer also has an entranceway with copper.
20:44This piece is not original.
20:45I was missing the original piece there.
20:47So I figured I'd get creative and just have some fun.
20:49The only part of this trailer that's not finished yet is it is not, I have not put an underbelly
20:54on it because the underbelly that the trailer originally had, um, well, it doesn't fit with
20:58the new frame.
20:59So, um, this is an original skin, super unique, super fun.
21:03Um, as you can see there, she is as original as original gets.
21:10We had the lock completely rebuilt.
21:12Um, it is finicky, but it does work.
21:14It does lock and she is very pretty.
21:16Um, as we, uh, as we work our way around the backside of the trailer, it has got the
21:24the, this trailer, when it came from the factory, it used to only have one, um, one brake light.
21:28It didn't have your standard left and right and brake over here.
21:31So we did get those added, but this one does still glow nice and neatly.
21:35Um, this is an original Airstream, um, plaque that they used to put on it back in the day.
21:41As you can see, we've also got the 13 panels in the back.
21:44Um, this is an original window.
21:45For some reason it was painted with tar when I got it and we completely stripped it.
21:50But then we decided, you know what?
21:52I don't want to replace it just yet.
21:53I have a replacement piece if I ever want to.
21:56Um, but it is just, it is original.
21:59Um, the bumper was added on the back of it when the frame was put on there, just in case
22:03someone was to accidentally bump you.
22:04You don't crush your skin right there.
22:07Um, and yeah, the, the back of the trailer is relatively the same as well.
22:12We've got the two marker lights, uh, the red in the back, orange in the front per American
22:17safety, but they do glow lovely.
22:20So the, um, this trailer from the factory came just with a, uh, receptacle, just like
22:25that to pop, plug it in 120 volts.
22:28Um, just put a flagpole holder on there.
22:32Cause I absolutely love those things.
22:35Alrighty.
22:36Now let's take you guys inside.
22:40So this trailer, um, is really unique because back in the day, uh, in January of 1948, we
22:46found an article from Art Costello, Wally's right-hand man, uh, back in the day.
22:51And it is saying that, um, Airstream really didn't have a whole lot of money when they
22:56were coming out of World War II.
22:58Wally, when he came out of the war, he went and worked for a company called Curtis Wright.
23:01And then towards the end of his time with Curtis Wright, uh, in, uh, late 47, Wally said,
23:07you know what, I want to relive that American Airstream dream that I used to have.
23:10So what's super cool about it is we, the article that Art's talking about is saying, we don't
23:14have a whole lot of money right now.
23:15And, um, if you could donate any, um, appliances that you might have laying around or give us
23:21some cash so we can, we can get this dream off the ground.
23:23That would be amazing.
23:24Now what's really cool about that is I, we think he's talking about this trailer.
23:28Um, this is dated 1936 per what's on the rear of it.
23:32Um, the, the name plate.
23:33And what's also super cool is the fridge is also dated from the 1930s.
23:38Um, now what is also super unique about this trailer is liners all used to come with, um,
23:44the aluminum and or stainless steel galleys.
23:47Now this one has a wooden galley.
23:49What's super cool about this trailer is it's got all Formica, um, in the inner linings of
23:55it, which all matches basically throughout the trailer.
23:59Um, we were missing the Formica top.
24:02So we just decided to put a, a copper top on it.
24:05I feel like it fits it very nicely.
24:06All original trim.
24:08Um, I use the fridge.
24:10It's not hooked up.
24:11I use it as my little speakeasy bourbon bar.
24:13Wally also back in the day used to put hooks on the ceiling.
24:17Um, he would run a clothes line from side to side to dry his clothes.
24:21Now what Peewee was telling us is he would hang his Coleman lantern right here.
24:25So when it, as it's exhausting, it could go out the roof.
24:28Something that is super unique.
24:30Um, this chair is not original, but we did have it kind of laying around and we felt it
24:34fit the vibe very nicely.
24:36Again, we've got, um, drawers throughout for all sorts of nice storage.
24:41Um, everything that you see in here is pretty much period.
24:44Correct.
24:45All dated 1948.
24:46Um, this is an old phone table that again matches the same Formica that is in the
24:50drawers.
24:52Um, Wally had a phone that looked a lot like that one.
24:55We've got our toolbox next to the door in case something breaks, even though it's just
24:59for show.
25:00Um, now since everything in here, we want it to be as period of correct as possible.
25:05We've got a January of 1948 calendar, which is absolutely gorgeous.
25:091948 fishing pole.
25:10Um, something a lot of people get a kick out of as Pendleton, one of the American
25:15camping legendary brands.
25:17This is from their Glacier series dated 1948.
25:21We absolutely love it.
25:22Um, we've gone as far as, um, matching clothing that Wally would have worn in this trailer.
25:27Um, so this is all dated 48, um, all suited with the bolo and everything that he would
25:34have enjoyed back in the day.
25:36So we've tried to go as period correct as possible.
25:38Wally was a big fan of the globe as well.
25:40So we found a 1948 globe fan and clock.
25:44Um, so that's all super unique and fun.
25:47Uh, the drawers again, just full of all sorts of 1948 linens and all sorts of unique stuff.
25:54Um, as we move back towards the back of the trailer here, um, this is where the original,
26:01everything in here is original.
26:02Um, this is where the bed would have been, um, while he was trying to save on a lot of
26:07weight.
26:07So it is a super, um, it's a super lightweight frame.
26:11When I was building it, I was like, there's no way that anyone would be able to sleep on
26:14it.
26:15I've slept in here several times and it is pretty amazing just how comfortable and
26:19how it does not move.
26:20It does have a drawer underneath of it.
26:21It's a pain in the rear to get to, but that is besides the point.
26:24As you can see in the back, we've got a, the same for Michael that is in the drawers.
26:28So that shows that everything to this trailer would have been original.
26:31Now, what's also super cool about this trailer is we have tried to go as far with 1948 stuff
26:37as we can.
26:39So all the clothing in here is from 1948 as well.
26:42Um, so as we're going out on the road and we find stuff, we're able to find some super
26:47fun stuff this past year, we did a 1948 Christmas.
26:50So, you know, we had to have the whole Santa get up, um, got clothing in there from the
26:5448, as far as some stuff you would sleep in.
26:57We've got, um, Pendleton flannels that are dated 48.
26:59I mean, we absolutely love this trailer.
27:02Um, already, let me put this back.
27:08Perfect.
27:08So as we continue to work our way around, um, more of the Formica, just showing that
27:14all of it, it is as original as possible.
27:16Um, this is the original oven and stove combination that would have been in this trailer.
27:23Um, Wally also used to wear and love his pith helmets.
27:26So we went out and found a Wally buying pith helmet.
27:30Um, but yeah, I mean, we absolutely love this trailer.
27:33She has seen, this is her second trip out since I've restored it.
27:37We've had it for about, uh, restored for about a year.
27:40Um, and I can't wait to see where we, we go from here.
27:44Thank you very much for taking the time today to give us a tour of four awesome trailers.
27:48Thank you, Patrick.
27:49And the history and the story and the passion, right?
27:52You got to be passionate about stuff like this.
27:54Yes, you do.
27:55And, uh, the aluminum is contagious.
27:57It is.
27:58And I mean, you know, I get that itch.
27:59So I absolutely love this aluminum stuff.
28:01We have so much fun, um, here with our Airstream friends sharing Airstream stories and we just
28:05have a lot of fun, so.
28:06And what's cool about when you see in 1948, right?
28:10Late forties after the war, uh, it's more like furniture pieces where the newer ones,
28:16everything is completely built in.
28:17Correct.
28:18So, uh, I guess if someone bought the trailer, I could personalize it themselves and bring
28:22some of their own furniture in their chairs and really make it like, like a little home
28:26on wheels.
28:27That, that is correct.
28:28So yeah, we absolutely love this, this rig.
28:30And, um, I, I can't wait to see, I can't, I love preserving Airstream history and hopefully
28:34we can continue to do so.
28:36And one other thing, uh, before we, uh, conclude here, I think it's hard to see on, on camera
28:43the difference in the, in the caps.
28:45That's correct.
28:46So you got like around the top with a straight back there.
28:50And then this one's like a torpedo.
28:52Correct.
28:53It's super aerodynamic.
28:54You don't even know she's barreling down the highway when she's behind you.
28:56Um, I mean, really, truly aerodynamics was key back in the day that, I mean, they were
29:01towing them with, uh, they weren't towing them with three quarter, one ton trucks.
29:04They were towing them with, uh, cars and SUVs.
29:06So that's, um, uh, that, that's why your, your modern Airstream tow is a little different
29:11than this, but at the same time, um, I, I mean, right here, you can really see the evolution
29:15of the Airstream shape, which is super cool.
29:17And, uh, a lot of guests I have on the show, like they buy certain things and sell them.
29:23This is a collection, right?
29:24Correct.
29:25Because you're not selling them.
29:26Correct.
29:26Oh, you're always looking for more.
29:27I'm always looking for more.
29:29So if you're, uh, if you've got something unique out there, I would absolutely love to see it.
29:33Um, and, or potentially purchase it if that, if you're interested, or we can just talk about
29:37it.
29:37I always love having a good conversation with people.
29:39Um, where your website or social media.
29:42Yeah.
29:43So basically the easiest thing to do is just look up James Scholl Airstream Airstream.
29:48Corporate has done all sorts of posts about me.
29:50We're about to have another one rolling out.
29:52Um, and yeah, hopefully I will see you, um, somewhere here in America.
29:56And we're abroad.
29:57We never know if we will take one of these things globally again.
30:00And I saw these on display.
30:01There was a casino night and there was a dance in here and I pulled you aside.
30:05I said, Hey man, if you have time to give a tour before you guys leave, please.
30:10And here they are packing up, ready to roll out the building.
30:12We got one in.
30:14Yes, sir.
30:14I really appreciate you coming over here.
30:16So people know that Airstream is a very special brand.
30:19They've been around since 1931.
30:21The trailers are made out of aluminum exterior skin, buck riveted, aluminum ribs, aluminum
30:28inside.
30:29They're built to last.
30:30That's why over 70% of the Airstreams ever built since 1931, they're still on the road
30:35and still in use today.
30:36And you could find the Airstream on the side of someone's barn that hasn't been touched
30:40in 20 years.
30:41And you could roll it out.
30:43Maybe you have to do an axle, brakes, frame, and a floor, but the shell, as long as nothing's
30:49falling on it.
30:49Correct.
30:50It's still intact.
30:51Correct.
30:51Something very valuable.
30:52Correct.
30:53I mean, I absolutely love it.
30:54And if you're looking to get into an Airstream, new ones are great.
30:57Vintage ones are great.
30:58I think this is a testimony to the brand that what you were going out and buying, hopefully
31:02with Patrick, that it is going to be out on the road for a very long time.
31:06Awesome.
31:07Thank you very much.
31:07This is Patrick in New Jersey's Outdoor Adventures YouTube channel.
31:11Thanks for joining us.
31:12Thank you, guys.