These vintage trailers are truly a work of art
When spruced up and buffed to a high polish, vintage aluminum trailers are objects of art.
When photographed under the right light and from their best angle, they are downright gorgeous.
In “Silver Palaces: America’s Streamlined Trailers,” photographer Douglas Keister has included more than 300 images (many of them stunning) of classic travel trailers from the 30s, 40, 50s and 60s.
“It’s a fun book,” said Keister when contacted by telephone in Washington, D.C., where he was doing research on an upcoming book.
” ‘Silver Palaces’ is in the same vain as my other books,” he said. “I specialize in ‘human-scale architecture’ and have published books about bungalows and cottages. Trailers were a continuation of that theme—they are architecture that just happens to have wheels.”
The prolific photographer and author has 25 publications to his credit including three on vintage trailers. Before “Silver Palaces,” Keister co-authored “Ready to Roll: A Celebration of the Classic American Travel Trailer” and photographed the images for the “Vintage Travel Trailers 2005 Calendar.”
“Ready to Roll” is an overview of all RV brands and the history of RVing; whereas “Silver Palaces” gets more specific with the vintage trailers and the people who own them. To be considered “vintage,” a trailer has to be at least 25 years old and a motor home at least 20 years old.
Both books feature hundreds of handsome full-color photographs, including scores of sumptuous interior shots.
Classic ‘Bambi’
The 1961 16-foot Bambi Airstream and 1930 Model A Ford owned by Joanne and Patrick Ewing of Everson, Wash., are featured in both “Silver Palaces” and “Vintage Travel Trailer Calendar.”
The Ewings have owned “10 or 12” vintage trailers over the years and currently have seven on their property northeast of Bellingham.
“We like the vintage trailers because they are made so much better then the ones made today,” said Joanne.
Their early-model Bambi is one of the most desirable of all the classic Airstreams because less than 800 of the diminutive Bambis were manufactured between 1961 and 1963. In 1964, according to Keister, Airstream added another 12 inches to the length and rechristened it the Bambi II.
“My Bambi was built in January 1961 and by the serial number it was the 23rd one made,” said Patrick. “It has a fully equipped bathroom and not a lick of plastic in it.”
Patrick purchased the trailer about 11 years ago. “I had a Volvo at the time and I needed something that was easily to tow.” The Bambi’s dry weight is less than 2,000 pounds and its small size can easily fit in a tent site at campgrounds.
“People love the Bambi,” said Patrick. “I was offered $15,000 for it by a Colorado couple, but it’s not for sale.”
Whether it’s nostalgia for simpler and slower days or love of the retro style, interest in vintage travel trailers is on the rise.
Vintage associations
There are a number of groups and companies organized around the vintage rigs. Here is a place to begin:
“ The Tin Can Tourists is “committed to the celebration of classic trailers and motor coaches” through annual gatherings. Membership is $20. For more information go online to www.tincantourists.com or write to Forrest Bone, 4 High St., Bradenton, FL 34208.
The Ewings are the Northwest regional representatives for Tin Can Tourists; contact them at (360) 966-4253 or e-mail: per52@verizon.net.
“ Vintage Airstream Club (no connection or association with the Airstream Travel Trailer manufacturing company) has a Web site: www.airstream.net. Memberships are $20 a year. Contact Steve Laxton, 2835 SE Lewellyn Ave., Troutdale, OR 97060 or e-mail: dfn30@earthlink.net.
For more information
“ To see more of Douglas Keister’s photographs, go to www.keisterphoto.com. Other Keister books include: “Stories in Stone: A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography,” “Classic Cottages: Simple Romantic Homes,” and “Storybook Style.”
“ “Silver Palaces: America’s Streamlined Trailers,” by Douglas Keister (Gibbs Smith, Publisher, $24.95), www.gibbs-smith.com, (800) 748-5439.
“ “Ready to Roll: A Celebration of the Classic American Travel Trailer,” by Arrol Gellner and Douglas Keister (Viking Studio Books, $32.95). With more than 300 pictures it chronicles “the evolution of the trailer, from the utilitarian covered wagon to the aristocratic Airstream” and the “camaraderie of groups like the tin Can Tourists.”
“ “Vintage Travel Trailers 2005 Calendar” by Douglas Keister (Browntrout Pubs, $11.99).
Wheel question
I am interested in talking with Inland Northwest owners of vintage RVs for upcoming articles. Please contact me through one of the ways listed below.