Retro Cool! 1960 Airstream Safari 22′ Camper
We recently featured a 24′ Airstream here on Barn Finds from the folks at Berning Trailer Sales in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It looks like they have another classic Airstream in their inventory and you have the chance to bid on it. It can be found here on eBay with a current bid of nearly $5,000. This one is a Safari model from 1960 and measures 22′ with a single-axle. Vintage campers and Airstreams continue to be very popular. Take a look at the interior, you won’t believe how retro-cool it is!
The interior has been converted to a great vintage-style. Featuring new checker-board floor and bench-style dinette, the front end looks very cozy and comfortable. The only appliance is a propane stove, so plan on installing a refrigerator or bringing a cooler for overnight trips. The plumbing has been removed, so there is no sink or bathroom either. Even without those conveniences, this trailer would be better than tent camping in cooler weather.
The rear portion of the trailer features the sleeping area. There is definitely an opportunity for some custom cabinets or storage space to be built. With just a stove, this is less of a camper and more of a hang-out. There were a lot of floor plans available for these trailers over the years. With some creativity, this one could be modified for anyone’s needs. What would you do with it?
As you would expect after sixty years, there are some dents, dings, and scratches on the outside. The nice thing about these trailers is the aluminum skin can be finely sanded and buffed. With some time and effort, they can look amazing.
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Comments
My buddy just bought a brand new 19foot airstream. He paid almost $100,000 CDN if you can believe that!
It’s pretty awesome but I wonder why he wouldn’t buy a $75000 truck and a $25000 camper but that’s just me.
Also you could rent a lot of class a motorhomes for 100k and you’re not tripping over them 10 months a year.
This ones pretty cool if not too expensive a lot better than a newer, leaky cheap pos.
We were travelling to Newfoundland, and met up with a couple who had towed their brand new Airstream thru Labrador. They invited us inside to see the wreckage. All the cabinets had detached off the ceiling, smashed the counter tops, the inside was covered in road dust from the unsealed openings in the floors around plumbing and other openings. It sure looked pretty on the outside tho.
Sounds like the couple should have bought an explorer travel trailer if they were going to be traveling on rough dirt roads. Airstreams are not made for out back rough dirt roads. Guess that can be noted as lesson learned.
Obviously, your buddy was too anxious to pay big bucks. If he found out where an equivalent to a WBCC meet was, he could have bought one for less $$$$$.
(note: WBCC = Wally Byan Caravan Club). I also hope your buddy has a truck that can handle it, mind you a 19′ isn’t that bad.
The 22′ listed here would have been better if it were on tandem wheels.A load leveling hitch is appropriate for this rig.
Care should be noted that the floor is not rotted out, it often is.
He always was terrible at big purchases so I guess it’s good he’s got lots of cash!
I would of never bought brand new because mint used out ones are out there. But wife wanted new and she’s the major bread winner.
Must be nice,she’s good looking and a good person too some guys have all the luck!
He tows it with a tundra no problems but like you said it’s not too big
Coincidentally someone sent me this 1962 Airstream promo.
https://vimeo.com/253060675?fbclid=IwAR0CZNsfB-5rSKh2T0lFHeAVvkc8rytorHvT0ZbzAsC3uAGzCMAMk-vCRYU
They’re nuts. I don’t buy into the Airstream hype. There are some fancy Airstreams, and this isn’t one of them. Lot of money for a shiny tin can.
Metal Twinkies
The seller’s ad calls this trailer “all original”. They forgot to say “all original, except EVERYTHING on the interior”.
Yes, the single axle units had problems… especially if they had a rear bath. Too much weight from the bath and the tanks aft of the axle would often crack the frame….. causing what owners referred to as “droopy butt” syndrome.
These always look great when the stainless has been polished!! Nice trailer.
Bastardized by blue paint. Looks like a smurf crime scene.
SOLD for $5,901.