Cadillacs and campers

[CadillacJacques]

I heard today there was a Cadillac club that pulled airstream campers  anyone know of this club and are they still around?

[signart]

Lots of amazing video of this on youtube. If I remember, the guy that started airstream organized these caravans. Even took them across Europe in the mi 50's. Mostly Cadillacs, but I recall a Chrysler or Lincoln or such sprinkled in. You have got to check it out.
Welcome to the world of Cadillacs.

[walt chomosh #23510]

I own a 1955CDV and 1955 Airstream "Bubble"....there are number of vintage travel trailer clubs around,but,don't know of any that specialize in using Cadillacs as tow vehicles....walt....tulsa,ok

[signart]

Still looking for the European caravan footage, but it was almost exclusively Cadillac tow vehicles.
Here is a Mexican tour of Airstreams with only a sprinkle of Caddy's, I believe prior to the tour of Europe. Long but interesting footage.
https://youtu.be/sAvr6UL6VG0

[signart]

Here is the white Airstream pulled by the '56 Cadillac that founder Wally Byam took with 36 campers and tow vehicles to Europe in 1956.

It seems as I research this, that a total of ten Cadillac tow vehicles out of 36 made the trip and only one pick up truck
.
Where is the footage, I've viewed half a dozen times?

[Maynard Krebs]

In an old issue of Automobile Quarterly, is an article about Pierce-Arrow (pardon me), which once made some travel trailers, which were really 'fancy'.   In said article, was a photo of a Pierce from about 1934.. with a genuine Pierce travel trailer hitched to the rear of it.  The interiors were 'upscale'.. and even came with some genuine silverware in a wooden case... as a sample of its "refinement".

Some years ago, I attended a show in Northern New England.. with my 1960s 'heavyweight'.. and my close-to-top-of-the-line Coleman pop-up camper.   I took a photo or two of my 'combo'... but I don't know where it is now.   I did get the idea for the photo.. from the aforesaid AQ story.

[CadillacJacques]

thanks guys  for the info I will look into it .  My dads friend said he use to see the Cadillac's and campers  in New Orleans during Mardi gras  in city park. said they would come every year. I do the camping thing often and would be an added advantage to tow with my Cadillac to some of the car events out of town so I don't have to bring two vehicles

[signart]

I own a 1955CDV and 1955 Airstream "Bubble"....there are number of vintage travel trailer clubs around,but,don't know of any that specialize in using Cadillacs as tow vehicles....walt....tulsa,ok

Wally Byam (Airstream founder) took a "Bubble" Airstream camper on a scouting trip to Europe in 1955 prior to the caravan tour in 1956. No info on which tow vehicle he used on the scouting trip, but is documented that Cadillac pulled his custom Airstream on the 1956 European caravan tour.
16,000 miles logged on that 6 month tour!

[walt chomosh #23510]

Most of the vintage Airstream rallies that I've viewed used high dollar tow vehicles because the owners were rich! Don't know this to be a fact, but Airstreams are sold even today to more affluent people. (they simply cost more) Their either more affluent or they want to purchase a travel trailer that will be around for a VERY long time. I'm a retired aircraft mechanic and appreciate the trailer's construction.....walt

[signart]

Most of the vintage Airstream rallies that I've viewed used high dollar tow vehicles because the owners were rich! Don't know this to be a fact, but Airstreams are sold even today to more affluent people. (they simply cost more) Their either more affluent or they want to purchase a travel trailer that will be around for a VERY long time. I'm a retired aircraft mechanic and appreciate the trailer's construction.....walt

Evidently, this has always been the case. The European trip with 36 campers on the tour in '56 for a total of 87 participants, cost an average of $5-$6,000 for each vehicle/camper for the trip. This did not include the tow vehicle or Airstream.
According to dollartimes.com a 1956 dollar would be worth $9.37 today. 

[Jeff Maltby 4194]

What an amazing group they were back in the day.

http://sierranevadaairstreams.org/memories/history/2015/wbcci-review.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f492/found-wally-byams-55-cruiser-1956-european-caravan-trailer-162191-6.html

https://www.airstream.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/1955-travel-trailer-canadian-caravan-78.pdf

[jwwseville60]

More even!

[jwwseville60]

Oh yes!

[jwwseville60]

I mean, wow!


https://smallandtinyhomeideas.wordpress.com/2020/02/03/1965-cadillac-coupe-deville-pop-up-camper-the-camper-was-designed-in-the-early-60s-and-was/

[jwwseville60]

Yes, these too!