Airstreams in Europe
Anthony Slocock
Summers should be spent enjoying being in Airstreams, but if you don’t have one, talking about Airstreams is the next best thing.
There was much talking on 22nd July when 17 UK enthusiasts plus Tom Howarth (on a brief stopover) got together for a day of sharing and learning at the Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club, 25 Alvanley Gardens, London, NW6. It did happen to be the day of the club tournament, but the tennis didn’t get a look in. In a bright sunny first floor room we buried 3 long tables under Airstream memorabilia, assembled the 4 talks we had prepared with overhead projector notes and sat back and waited to see how many of the 32 UK and European enthusiasts I had contacted would show up. The delegate badges were lined up on the table by the door like trailers at a parking lot. Here we are ready for action (40Kbytes), myself on the right and Tom on the left wearing a shirt with the Washington DC Unit logo of course.
What were we trying to achieve? Prior to setting up the Washington DC Unit (WDCU) last year, Tom had written to the relatively few European friends of the Vintage Airstream Club (VAC). I responded and before long was coming over to rallies in the USA and bought my first trailer, a 1959 Pacer. Researching all the Regulations and making arrangements to import the Pacer was akin to starting another business. No thanks. Surely someone has done this before? I started making calls and building up a database of enthusiasts and information. I don’t know all the answers, far from it, but those who came to our kick off meeting hopefully picked up some useful tips and inspiration.
Tom gave a fabulous talk about Airstreaming in the US which included discussion of the Wally Byam Caravan Club, International (WBCCI), the VAC and the WDCU and how each of these different groups interact. After lunch we sat around the A2 photo boards I had made of his 1953 Flying Cloud and the Ipix 360 degree photos taken in April which are now loaded on my laptop for all to enjoy. My before lunch talk stressed the importance of learning as much about the construction of the trailers and common problems prior to purchase. I put forward a preliminary foundation ‘checklist’ of things to appraise before purchase, which will be constantly honed and added to no doubt. After lunch I talked about Airstreaming in the UK - importing, regulations, insurance, restoration problems etc. Here we all are enjoying lunch at the half way stage (40Kbytes).
What is next? The idea is to keep talking and sharing information. Things won’t happen over night, this is my hobby remember. Tom’s first talk about the early days of Airstream Inc., the WBCCI, the VAC and now the WDCU was inspirational however and shows what can be achieved with a bit of perseverance. The differences of each of these groups and subgroups, and the interactions within, helped us understand how each is important and how each can be utilized to help us continue interest in Airstreaming in Europe.
Essentially what I would like to offer is genuine internet accessed help to anyone interested in Airstreams in Europe, either US enthusiasts wishing to tour over here, or European enthusiasts seeking information. Just how many of the goals shown below can be achieved will depend on resources.
Short term goals:
To develop a European Airstream website, generate interest and answer questions
Medium term goals:
Use the European Airstream website to further improve communication amongst enthusiasts in the UK & Europe.
Promoting rallies/ caravans in out of the way places that would normally be inaccessible. Finding ways to enjoy Airstreams without being besieged at normal ‘caravan’ sites.
Expert independent appraisal, valuation and agency for selling on of trailers
Longer term:
Possible rental of trailers to experienced American Airstream enthusiasts wishing to tour Europe.
Recreating the great European caravans of the 1950’s
Creating a storage and workshop facility near London.
Here is the draft homepage content for the www.eurostream.co.uk website which will gradually come on line next year:
US Airstreamers
UK Enthusiasts
Database
Historical info & technical tips from USA enthusiasts
Case study
’59 Pacer restoration for worldwide use
Please send any comments, suggestions or register by E-mailing: anthony@eurostream.co.uk
On Saturday evening a smaller group (of 3!) assembled for drinks and then dinner, as posted on the VAC homepage, at Bali Sugar. We dined out in the garden and unwound, talking about the upcoming WDCU October rally that Garnett Horner is organising in Newport News. We also discussed a longer term goal of Tom’s - to re-create the Cape Town to Cairo Caravan on its 50 year annivarsary in 2009.
On Sunday, Tom was up early eager to see a typical UK trailer or ‘caravan’ as we call them before flying home and also view the facilities at a typical UK caravan site. We visited the Caravan Club official site just west of London. Tom liked the hook up’s (see photo-50Kbytes), but there was not an Airstream in sight anywhere. So there was nothing for it, we had to start talking about Airstreams all over again….
