airstream history of the land yacht

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Airstream : the history of the land yacht

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Airstream: The History of the Land Yacht Paperback – Feb. 1 2000

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• Print length 144 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Chronicle Books
• Publication date Feb. 1 2000
• Reading age 13 years and up
• Dimensions 27.31 x 1.91 x 24.13 cm
• ISBN-10 0811824713
• ISBN-13 978-0811824712
• See all details

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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chronicle Books (Feb. 1 2000)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0811824713
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0811824712
• Item weight ‏ : ‎ 832 g
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 27.31 x 1.91 x 24.13 cm
• #1,320 in Pop Culture Art
• #1,840 in History of Technology
• #3,062 in Transportation (Books)

About the author

Bryan burkhart.

Bryan Burkhart is a print and digital designer & art director with 15+ years experience. As a print designer he has designed and co-authored several monographs including AIRSTREAM, The History of the Land Yacht (Chronicle Books), PREFAB and TRAVEL TRAILER, A Visual History of Mobile America. (Gibbs Smith, Publisher), SPA and CHEAP HOTELS (Taschen).

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Airstream: The History of the Land Yacht Paperback – 18 May 2000

• Print length 144 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Chronicle Books
• Publication date 18 May 2000
• Dimensions 27.31 x 1.91 x 24.13 cm
• ISBN-10 0811824713
• ISBN-13 978-0811824712
• See all details

Product description

About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chronicle Books; 1st edition (18 May 2000)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0811824713
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0811824712
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 27.31 x 1.91 x 24.13 cm
• 652 in Automotive Technology
• 827 in Automotive Pictorial
• 1,587 in Automobile Engineering

About the author

Bryan burkhart.

Bryan Burkhart is a print and digital designer & art director with 15+ years experience. As a print designer he has designed and co-authored several monographs including AIRSTREAM, The History of the Land Yacht (Chronicle Books), PREFAB and TRAVEL TRAILER, A Visual History of Mobile America. (Gibbs Smith, Publisher), SPA and CHEAP HOTELS (Taschen).

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Remembering Airstream’s fanciest trailer: the Land Yacht

The nautically-themed trailer is out of production, but its memory lives on in other Airstream models

Airstream trailers have been nicknamed a lot of things: the Silver Bullet, a Toaster-on-Wheels, and even the Silver Twinkie. But the now iconic American aluminum trailer—especially its largest models—has also been known as a “land yacht,” thanks to its high-end design reminiscent of the largest ships on the sea.

Airstream lived up to this title in 2014 when it debuted what it called “the most luxurious Airstream ever conceived.” The special edition model—the Land Yacht 28 —boasted three rooms and was designed with the help of Mauro Micheli, head designer at yacht design firm Officina Italiana Design , with cabinetry from the Italian firm Tecnoform.

All of that impressive pedigree meant one thing for the Land Yacht: It was fancy. Designed to resemble a luxury watercraft, the 28-foot trailer slept six and came with boat-deck plank flooring, LED lighting, and Corian countertops. The master bedroom boasted a pillow top queen mattress, a 30-inch flatscreen, and plenty of under-the-bed storage.

The technology and decor was also first class. A powered pedestal table moved the dining room table out of the way to free up space, and a powered outdoor awning made shade accessible. The interior came in two color options, dark wood and cream or a lighter wood with dark grey seating fabric.

The Land Yacht started at $146,362 and because it was a special edition model, it had limited production.

“It doesn’t come down to how many Special Edition units we sell, it’s about creating truly unique models that allow our team, and those we partner with a creative outlet to try new ideas,” said Bryan Melton, General Manager of travel trailers at Airstream.

“When you remove certain constraints, you allow engineers and designers to maximize their creativity. The results are truly special, like the Land Yacht, which continue to make strong statements within Airstream’s prolific history.”

Not long after the debut of the Land Yacht, Airstream took many of that model’s favorite qualities and added them to the remodeled Classic trailer and their new line of Class-B luxury touring coaches . Today, the Land Yacht is still on the product page of Airstream’s website , but according to a reputable Airstream dealer in Colorado, the only Land Yachts still left for sale are in Canada.

For many Airstream fanatics, the Land Yacht will go down as one of the fanciest—and best designed—trailers in the company’s history. Take a 360-degree tour, over here .

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Airstream: The History of the Land Yacht Paperback – Bargain Price, February 1, 2000

• Print length 144 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Chronicle Books
• Publication date February 1, 2000
• Dimensions 10.75 x 0.75 x 9.5 inches
• See all details

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David Hunt lives in New York. He writes regularly on art and culture for art/text, Flash Art, and Sculpture.

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0007PB1TW
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chronicle Books; 750th edition (February 1, 2000)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.8 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.75 x 0.75 x 9.5 inches

About the author

Bryan burkhart.

Bryan Burkhart is a print and digital designer & art director with 15+ years experience. As a print designer he has designed and co-authored several monographs including AIRSTREAM, The History of the Land Yacht (Chronicle Books), PREFAB and TRAVEL TRAILER, A Visual History of Mobile America. (Gibbs Smith, Publisher), SPA and CHEAP HOTELS (Taschen).

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“Airstream: The History of the Land Yacht”…

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“Airstream: The History of the Land Yacht” by Bryan Burkhart and David Hunt (Chronicle Books, 144 pages, $19.95)

No one who’s ever gone seven leagues on a U.S. highway could mistake an Airstream for anything else on wheels. Sleek, aerodynamic, polished-aluminum Airstreams, since their origin in the 1930s, have often been called the Rolls-Royces of recreational vehicles, land yachts. Their fondest fans regard them with an affectionate awe that borders on manic cultism. Now comes a volume of lyric, informative text and photographs that are simply celestial, celebrating this high-camp adoration that has drawn tens of thousands of owners and passengers to virtually every point on Earth. For another $15.95 you can get a box of 40 different Airstream postcards to mail on your fantasy journey.

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The Airstream Land Yacht is One Trailer You Have to See

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To strengthen the Land Yacht theme, Airstream consulted with Mauro Micheli, the acclaimed yacht designer for prestigious Riva Yachts

Airstream has an interesting history of building Special Edition models. In past years, they have offered the contemporary Eddie Bauer Edition as well as the rustic-themed Pendleton National Park Service Edition. One of the latest selective models to be conceived – and a departure from its other special trailer predecessors – is the Land Yacht 28, which was introduced in late 2014 and has achieved plenty of attention across the highways of North America.

Every special edition model that the company devises carries a distinct theme. What makes the Land Yacht so unique this time around is it was inspired by Airstream leaders of past and present – late company founder Wally Byam and current President and CEO Bob Wheeler as both share a passion for recreational sailing. As Byam inspired many traditional Airstream designs from his passion of travel – on and off the water over the years – Wheeler and his design team commemorated that passion into the Land Yacht 28.

The exterior of the Land Yacht.

To strengthen the Land Yacht theme, Airstream consulted with Mauro Micheli, the acclaimed yacht designer for prestigious Riva Yachts and co-founder of Oficinia Italian Design firm based in Italy. The results were the iconic Airstream profile on the outside with a clean, modern and stylish interior with several forms of function on the inside.

“The Land Yacht is unique as we teamed with Mauro Micheli,” said Bryan Melton, General Manager, Travel Trailers for Airstream, Inc. “With our engineering input, he and his team created the design elements. Our goal was to have a super clean, beautifully appointed interior with attention to every detail. For example, he designed the fridge and freezer to be concealed behind a padded panel, while the cooktop and sink in the galley are concealed with a wood enclosure and built-in aluminum back splashes. They are all hidden providing a refined appearance, yet are easily accessed when they need to be used.”

“Airstream’s Bryan Melton explained that only 45 Land Yachts were scheduled to be built when the model was first introduced. There are only 12 left in the market place across North America and the last one – number 45 – will be completed at the end of September.”

Other key appointments are found in the lavy. While it’s not uncommon for Airstream trailers to feature the shower and toilet/sink in separate areas of the unit, the Land Yacht has an all-encompassing lavy with the essential components in the same space – with fit and finish executed to the tiniest of detail. Another functional design includes the master bedroom. It comes complete with a power memory foam, pillow top queen mattress, plus under bed storage, however, the standard 30-inch flatscreen TV is cleverly located behind a two-way mirror allowing two common functions in one small area.

The all-encompassing head that includes a shower, sink, and toilet in one ideal location.

Some Land Yacht Standards Include:

• A powered solid wood dinette table* • Power stabilizers • A premium awning package • Comfortable, convertible seating • Power entry steps, • Induction cooktop • The Quietstream A/C unit* • Interior hardware* • A new bathroom design* (*Airstream Firsts)

“With its features, the Land Yacht has a heavy designer influence that makes it incredibly clean and unique with a strong yacht theme, while still making it functional, practical to use,” said Melton. “That’s really what it’s all about. Special editions are meant to take us outside our comfort zone allowing us to set new boundaries. The reward comes from our customers who are seeking something a little different, and our special edition models provide just that.”

Melton explained that only 45 Land Yachts were scheduled to be built when the model was first introduced. “We build only two a month and have since we began this Special Edition,” he explained.  There are only 12 left in the market place across North America and the last one – number 45 – will be completed at the end of September.

The Land Yacht is available in two interior colors, Mocha (seen Here) and Polar (shown at top).

“The Land Yacht is kind of an ode to the olden days of Wally (Byam) with his dream and passion of travel, adventure and sailing,” explained Melton. “This model represents the most luxurious Airstream model, with fine detailing and design elements throughout. Once #45 rolls out of the factory, we will temporary suspend the famous Land Yacht badge.”

While Special Edition models from Airstream (including the Land Yacht) have a scheduled life span in the consumer marketplace, the influence and design that are incorporated into these models commonly stay within the Airstream brands. There were a series of features introduced in the Land Yacht, with the most popular being the Quietstream ducted A/C, which has become standard on all but the Sport Airstream models.

“It doesn’t come down to how many Special Edition units we sell, it’s about creating truly unique models that allow our team, and those we partner with a creative outlet to try new ideas.,” said Melton. “When you remove certain constraints, you allow engineers and designers to maximize their creativity. The results are truly special, like the Land Yacht, which continue to make strong statements within Airstream’s prolific history.”

If you have any questions about the company`s Land Yacht Design or wish to join in on the Airstream discussions with other owners be sure to go to AIRForums.com .

Specifications

Length: (exterior):28′ Width: (exterior): 8’5.5″ Height: (exterior) : 9’9″ (w/A/C) Interior width: 8′ 1″ Interior height: 6’6″ (w/A/C) Hitch weight: 842 lbs. (w/LP Batteries) Unit Base Weight: 6,586 lbs. (w/LP, Batteries) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 8,200 Net Carrying Capacity: 1,614lbs. Fresh Water Tank: 39 gal. Gray Water Tank:  37 gal. Black Water Tank: 39 gal. Water Heater w/electronic ignition: 6 gal. Ducted Furnace: 25,000 BTU Sleeping Cap: 1-5

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How the Airstream Hit the Open Road

This space-age sensation kicked the American road trip into high gear

Steven Melendez

In the late 1920s, an ambitious young Stanford grad named Wally Byam found himself in booming Los Angeles, far from the rural Oregon of his youth, where he and his family had been happy, and frequent, campers. Byam, a magazine publisher, couldn’t wait to ditch his suit and tie to go camping on days off, but his wife proved less enthusiastic about sleeping on the dewy ground. He devised a compromise, elevating their tent on a wooden platform that sat atop the chassis from an old Ford Model T; the Byams’ own car then towed the tent-laden contraption. “I guess we looked like an itinerant patent-medicine show,” he’d later tell a reporter. “But it worked.”

So Byam kept tinkering, building a teardrop-shaped trailer out of plywood as a sturdier substitute for the tent, with room for an icebox and a kerosene cooking stove. When the couple began pulling this trailer with their Dodge, the setup continued to draw considerable attention on the road—and Byam, ever the entrepreneur, saw an opportunity amid all that gawking. Familiar with the power of print, he took out magazine ads that sold blueprints for do-it-yourself trailers. The timing worked out well, as his own publishing business began drying up after the 1929 stock market crash, and when a neighbor asked Byam to build him a camper, the inventor went one step further, ditching backyard tinkering to open a small factory in Culver City, California, in 1931. The result was a triumph of design and marketing, and it helped create the very idea of the modern road trip.

Byam gave his trailers the name Airstream, boasting they rode as smoothly as “a stream of air” and sold more than 1,000 by the spring of 1932. In early 1936, after further experimentation, he pivoted from plywood to selling the aluminum-clad Airstream Clipper. Starting at $1,200—a bit under $27,000 in today’s money, and more than twice the price of its predecessors—it was a luxury trailer with room for four people to sleep and dine. It even boasted onboard water tanks that paired well with the Clipper’s futuristic metallic sheen, riveted aluminum shell and streamlined, aerodynamic shape with gentler curves than previous models. The design cannily evoked the glamour of aviation—as did the name, nodding to Pan American World Airways’ celebrated new China Clipper plane. Soon, Byam’s advertisements were trading on the same association: “An airplane without wings,” a 1937 newspaper ad proclaimed the Clipper. “Luxurious in the extreme.”

The company soon had 75 employees working 18 hours per day to meet demand, touting sales to Hollywood stars and even the president of Mexico. Production came to a halt during World War II, when aluminum restrictions led Byam to close his shop and begin working at a plant making actual aircraft for the war effort. But in the postwar boom, Airstream saw its true heyday, as middle-class Americans took to the road, many directly inspired by Byam and his creation.

“Your home is wherever your wheels come to a stop,” wrote Byam in Fifth Avenue on Wheels , a 1953 road-trip guide that emphasized the Manhattan-worthy luxury that Airstream offered, including such pacifying comforts as shock absorbers and modern stoves, which Byam cheerfully extolled throughout the volume.

Byam remained a tireless tinkerer, user and promoter of his own product, even leading a series of Airstream caravans around the world. These began with a 1951 drive south from the U.S.-Mexico border to Managua, Nicaragua, where they were heartily greeted by the country’s president. The more globe-trotting caravaners arranged to load their Airstreams onto cargo ships and crossed the ocean for Europe and beyond, sometimes posing the trailers near the Pyramids of Giza and near Moscow’s Red Square. The groups had a tradition of camping in concentric circles—a cross between an Old West wagon formation and a suburban subdivision, often complete with pink plastic lawn flamingos—and wore matching blue berets that suggested a rolling fraternal lodge. From a 1956 trip that saw travelers ditch trailers for gondolas in Venice to a Byam-led voyage that arrived in Cairo in 1960, stories with vivid photo spreads of gleaming, American-made Airstreams alongside ancient wonders appeared in magazines like Life and National Geographic .

Byam died in 1962, but Airstreams sold steadily throughout the 1960s, as improvements in such features as trailer toilets—designed by avid Airstream traveler (and future Porta Potti inventor) Frank Sargent—allowed travelers to explore the growing interstate highway system and to skip motels without sacrificing hygiene. A modified Airstream even served as temporary home to the Apollo 11 astronauts upon their return from the moon, keeping them comfortable—and quarantined—until certified free from potential lunar germs.

But in the 1970s and ’80s, rising gas prices and growing air travel put a major damper on sales. The company tried to diversify with mixed success, introducing lower-priced trailers and even, in 1981, an Airstream funeral coach. (The idea was for mourners to ride together alongside the casket, in lieu of a multi-car funeral procession.) Still, the caravans kept rolling, flamboyantly so: Sargent organized one headline-grabbing trip to China in 1985. And the optimistic 1990s saw an Airstream resurgence, as nostalgia—and a larger middle class than at any previous time in U.S. history—drew buyers to vintage Airstreams, and to newer models that still shared the signature Aviation Age aesthetic, evoking the optimism of an era when the road trip itself was still new.

Today, as remote work makes domestic travel more accessible than ever, the Airstream represents the future that Byam predicted. The comforts of the 21st century are new, but the draw of the road has not diminished.

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Steven Melendez is an independent journalist based in New Orleans

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RARE!!1969 AIRSTREAM 27FT OVERLAND TWIN DELUXE LAND YACHT - $14,900

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RARE!!1969 AIRSTREAM 27FT OVERLAND TWIN DELUXE LAND YACHT - rvs - by...

Your mid-century event is ready to start!!! Super hard to find 1969 airstream with a Route 66 theme. All original wood work. This was one of the last years of the walnut interior. It has lots of its...