GOOD AS GOLD

In 1956 Wally Byam, the inventor of the Airstream trailer, collaborated on a trailer design with his wife, Stella. The floorplan that they came up with was christened “Stella’s Dream Trailer.” “Stella’s Dream Trailer” went into production during the first quarter of 1957. When Stella’s Airstream came off the production line at the Jackson Center, Ohio factory it was far more than a typical Airstream. It was clad in beautiful gold anodized aluminum. It will be forever known as, “Stella’s Gold Airstream.” That trailer is now on display at the factory where it was built.

Until now this was thought to be the only “gold” Airstream in existence. In the Summer of 2017 I was contacted by what I thought was a misinformed individual selling an Airstream with a gold stripe. When I could not convince him that there was no such model of Airstream he provided me with the serial number to the coach.

With a little research we discovered that we had found the only other “gold” Airstream that had been long lost and forgotten. The trailer was special ordered from the factory by the President of Airstream, Art Costello, in 1961.

THE FORGOTTEN GOLD AIRSTREAM

  • The layout is like the TradeWind model but with dual axels (Just like the Stella Trailer). Production models of that year were single axle.
  •  Gold metal-flake fiberglass bath tub.
  • Jalousie windows stacked one above the other, just forward of the door. Likewise, on the port side. More like the windows used in models several years later.
  • One exterior panel (at about head-height) that wraps around the entire trailer is gold anodized just like the “Stella Gold Trailer.”

BE A PART OF AIRSTREAM HISTORY

The forgotten gold Airstream is currently undergoing a complete restoration. It will be restored as it would have looked in the 1960's. The goal is to travel across the country in the Airstream to the Jackson Center, Ohio Airstream factory. Sponsors will be featured in our social media efforts surrounding the build and the journey to Ohio and on to the museum in Elkhart, IN. The trailer will also be featured in the VCT and other magazines. Sponsors may even opt for a showing of the trailer at one of their own events.
If you would like more information on sponsoring this project contact Paul: cell (916) 572-8554 or email vintagecampertrailers@gmail.com
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Wally and Stella
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Click on the images for links of more information about Stella's Gold Airstream
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