Airstream History
1920
The Airstreams were born in America, and very soon they became a symbol of Luxury and Travel Made in the USA.
The Airstreams have a unique design in the world and are recognizable even for kilometers thanks to their rounded and shiny aluminum bodywork. The shape of the vehicle also called "egg" dates back to the 1920s and is based on the models created by Hawley Bowlus, a famous American engineer and designer of aeronautical origin who brought many Aereii details such as rivets, rivets and the use of aluminum to the world of caravans.
Hawley will change the history of the Airstream by launching his most famous model "the Airstream Clipper" today the Airstream Clipper is a much sought after and highly rated vintage vehicle. 300,000 euros. About 80 were produced before Hawley was recalled to the Air Force to work.
Airstream is an American brand of caravan which are easily recognized by the distinctive shape of their rounded and polished aluminum coachwork. This body shape dates back to the 1920s and is based on designs created by Hawley Bowlus
Airstream trailers and recreational vehicles are manufactured in Jackson Center, Ohio, USA. The company was created by Wally Byam who began building trailers out of Masonite in his backyard in Los Angeles during the late 1920s. Byam published a magazine selling "how-to" kits to customers wishing to build their own trailers.
1930
In 1936, Byam introduced the "Airstream Clipper", which was essentially a rebadged 1935 Bowlus Road Chief, with the door relocated from the front to the side. It was the first of the now familiar sausage-shaped, silver aluminum Airstream trailers. The first Airstream was named after the first trans-Atlantic seaplane.
Of more than 400 travel trailer builders operating in 1936, Airstream was the sole survivor of the Depression.
1940-1950
During World War II, travel became a luxury most could not afford and non-military industries faced an acute aluminum shortage. Byam's company went back into production in 1948. In July 1952, a new facility in Jackson Center, Ohio, was established.
1960-1970
In 1969, upon their return from the Moon, the crewmen of Apollo 11 were quarantined in the Mobile Quarantine Facility, a modified airtight Airstream trailer.
For decades, NASA has used a fleet of Airstream motorhomes to transport astronauts to the launch pad. The space shuttle program used a modified 1983 Airstream Excella beginning in 1984 dubbed the Astrovan.
In 1974, Airstream began manufacturing a Class A motorhome, badged "Argosy". They began as painted 20- and 24-foot (6.1 and 7.3 m) models, and were followed in 1979 by the first examples of the Classic model motorhome, with an unpainted aluminum body much like the trailers.
1980-1990
Airstream-badged Class A motorhomes began as 24- and 28-foot (7.3 and 8.5-m) models in 1979, and in the 1980s and 1990s, models ranging from 25 up to 37 feet (7.6 up to 11.2 m) were marketed.
Starting in 1989, Airstream built Class B motorhomes based on the Ford Econoline chassis and the Dodge B-series van chassis. Production ceased after the 1999 model year. In 2004, Airstream introduced the Westfalia and Interstate, built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis.
TODAY
Airstream, still based in Jackson Center, is a division of Thor, Inc. Airstream produces several models — Basecamp, Bambi, Caravel, Flying Cloud, International, and Classic.
2020 trailer sizes range between 16 ft to 33 ft (4.9 to 10 m).
We only work on Vintage Airstream Trailers and bring them back to their shiny years.
Visit Airstreamitalia.com website to discover the history of the American Airstream Inc. caravans