An American icon of industrial design, the distinctive, all-aluminum Airstream trailers have been a familiar sight on American highways since 1936.
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Due to their airplane-like construction, Airstreams are exceptionally light, cut through the air like a Zeppelin, and can thus be towed by relatively small vehicles.
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Among the smallest Airstream trailer ever built: the "Bubble." First introduced in 1955, it's just 15 feet long, a little shorter even than its successor, the 1961-65 Bambi.
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The 1957 Airstream Bubble presented here, VIN *387*, is indeed the 387th Airstream trailer built. It was sold new on March 29, 1957 to Mr. and Mrs. Floyd and Louella Stafford from Klamath Falls, Oregon, who enjoyed the trailer on many trips, often spending winters in Arizona, until they got too old to travel. After Mrs. Stafford's passing at the age of 99, the trailer was acquired by a wealthy collector from California's Central Valley, who stored it inside a climate-controlled building, unused, for the past dozen years.
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The cute Bubble is accompanied by a host of interesting documents, including its original 1957 Oregon Certificate of Title (!) and the Airstream Warranty Certificate.
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To call this rare Bubble "museum quality" would almost be an understatement. The alloy body is the best original of its age we've ever seen, without any kind of corrosion and not a single major scratch, dent or - heaven forbid - repair in sight.
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The early Airstreams came from the factory in "pure aluminum," without a protective coating. Naturally, they are the only ones that look correct when polished to a chrome-like luster, as seen on vintage assembly line photos. We just had our Bubble completely and painstakingly polished by hand, to the tune of $1,800.00, and it looks positively stunning!
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Entering the Bubble feels like stepping back in time, into the classy world of 1950s' trailer camping.
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Wally Byam, father of the Airstream, insisted that his trailers were not made for permanent living but instead for comfortable traveling. Especially by the standards of the time, Airstreams fully delivered on this promise.
Incredibly, this Airstream presents itself 100% original inside. It has never needed restoration, nor was it ever modified to suit 21
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Bubble's floor plan strikes us as the ideal layout for a smaller trailer. Whereas other Airsteams had the kitchen taking up the coveted space at the rear of the trailer, this one features the large bed with its asymmetrical mattress.
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Large wardrobe with mirror and cabinet. 58-year-old, original birch wood paneling has remained in terrific condition.
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Immediately to the left of the entrance, the compact kitchenette, with dedicated lighting and plenty of storage cabinets. Check out the fabulous condition of counter tops and trim.
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The factory-installed Modernaire 3-burner stove with large oven is an antique by itself. It looks virtually unused, as does the sink. Everything works as intended.
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Dinette features blue leatherette cushions and an ingenious table that can be lowered within seconds to help create a second bed for two. This Airstream might look small on the outside, but its interior is big and easily sleeps four adults.
Note the amazing state of preservation of the original interior paint. Have you ever seen another six-decade-old Airstream with such a fine original interior?
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Of course, a large icebox is part and parcel of comfort camping, and the Airstream still features its original one, with interesting, chromed metal fittings. Pink was a very popular color in the 1950s, so popular indeed that Mamie Eisenhower, wife of the 34th U.S. president, had many rooms of the White House decorated in pink. Far from today's perception of pink as feminine or "girlish," during the fabulous Fifties it was hailed as the color of peace, happiness, and progress.
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Located to the immediate right of the entrance, behind its own door, is the lavatory. Yes, this Airstream comes with a flush toilet. Though it was replaced sometime during the swinging 60s with a more up-to-date model, the Staffords retained the original porcelain unit and it's included in the sale. Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view |
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There are many lovingly preserved details that will make the heart of a true Airstream aficionado skip a beat.
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All original crank windows and bug screens work flawlessly.
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More exterior details.
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Undercarriage is corrosion and rot-free. Smooth belly pans help save fuel when towing - a concept embraced by Wally Byam many, many years before it became fashionable.
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If you are lusting for a Bambi-sized Airstream but wouldn't mind owning one that's even rarer, this Bubble may be just the ticket for you. Finding one that's as original and well-kept as this particuilar one is an event as lucky as winning the powerball lottery. If you are an astute collector, don't let this museuam-quality, true heirloom vintage Airstream slip through your hands, as it may be the only one of its kind remaining in captivity!
Addendum:
We sold this fabulous Aistream Bubble in May of 2015.
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