Okay, ready for the punchline....
After the beating those vehicles took on that trip they were all shipped home and remained in service for many years. In fact just last month myself and my wife Tina were on a caravan in the USA celebrating the Around the World Caravan and we travelled with five of those original Airstreams. The 60th Anniversary Caravan was offered to members of the Vintage Airstream Club and we were thrilled to be included with our own 1963 Bambi. We and about 30 other Airstreamers followed the original trailers through Indiana and Ohio visiting towns with international monikers like, Warsaw, Peru, Athens, Mexico and Paris. The five trailers from the original ATWC still operate and perform like they were intended to do when they rolled out of the factory in 1962. They have been restored wonderfully by each owner with an appreciative eye on historical accuracy. To that end, many of the "war wounds" of the trailers 63/64 adventures have been left as part of each Airstream's authenticity. And just like in the original caravan we were welcomed in every town we passed through. For us, the highlight was parading past the Airstream factory in Jackson Center, Ohio. Airstream Inc. stopped production for us and every employee was out on the side of the road cheering us on!
The blue truck and trailer pictured above were re-united after 60 years apart on this trip. The Around the World logo still preserved on the doors of the truck.
So hats off to the Airstream company who to this day still endeavour to make a product that will take us all on the trip of a lifetime, help us create memories and friends that will stay with us always and all because Wally Byam had a vision to see the world with all the comforts of home.
“Adventure is where you find it, any place, every place, except at home in the rocking chair.” “Keep your eyes on the stars, and the stars in your eyes…see if you can find out what's over the next hill, and the next one after that.”
Wally Byam
Further reading and an excellent video. CLICK HERE.
Check this out! Vincent Price narrates a 5 part series in 1966 about the Around the World Caravan. Here is the Link. (note it is the 6th video on the page)
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