Great Finds - Pierre - 1952 Silver Streak Clipper Model 7
Day One - The Hunt begins.
I know I know, it's not an Airstream. But in my defense, the ad SAID it was an Airstream.
The ad read like many others on Craiglist – something like "Old Airstream For Sale". Nothing too specific. From the pics I could tell it was not an Airstream – more likely a Silver Streak or Curtis Wright, but a cool trailer for sure and probably late 40's or early 50's. I almost didn't call. It looked pretty rough. The price was up there. But, it was close, in Colorado, so what the heck.
The guy told me this old trailer had been on their land for decades – sort of an impromptu hunting shack way out on their land somewhere. He had decided to pull it in and sell it. He was asking around 8K for it – which seemed like a lot for the condition, but still worth a trip up to take a look.
The seller seemed straight, and he agreed to hold it for a couple of days until I could get up there – there being Colorado Springs. I was in Phoenix at the time so it was a decent drive. You always hope that they don't sell it out from under you after you make the 800 mile drive. But true to his word, the man had the trailer for sale when I arrived a couple of days later.
We had met at his house and when I arrived, there was no trailer to be seen. "Its up on the land" he said. "Follow me." So I did. We headed out of town, on a two lane road highway, then a two lane paved road, then a dirt road, then a rough dirt road, then a two track path, before finally arriving at a gate an hour later. Through the gate and up a VERY steep curvy hill we go, and I'm thinking "great ... can I even get the trailer out of here?"
We get to the lodge and there he is, parked alongside a work shed.
The original ID badge was still on the trailer, along with the ID number and model. It was a Silver Streak Clipper – Model 7. The number proved it likely to be a 1952. The ID number etched on the frame matched the badge – a great start.
Pierre had seen better days for sure. Both of the front curve "alien eye" windows were broken and taped over. Most of the side windows were broken out. The door window was gone. Someone had opened the door with a shotgun and blown the entire door latch out.
Poor Pierre. I felt perhaps he was beyond repair. But then I went inside.
Somehow, in spite of the pain he endured outside, Pierre maintained a near ageless form within.
He was beautiful. It was all there.
The custom made red velvet curtains and bed covers gave the appearance of an 19th century French Boudoir – thus the 1952 Silver Streak Clipper was newly christened Pierre.
My dog Carma immediately took up residence on one of the folding beds. I had to have it.
Before anyone could change their minds, I settled my bill, fastened Pierre to my trusty Ford F-150, and edged slowly back towards civilization, stopping as soon as I could to check that he was following obediently and safely, and to admire him in the soon-to-be setting sun.
Day 2 - The Drive Back
After a restful night in Colorado Springs I was ready to head back towards AZ. But not before getting the wheel bearings checked out. The seller had already installed new rubber so that was a nice bonus. The local Les Schwab came to the rescue and took care of business for me.
Pierre glided along on his new shoes as smooth as can be ... and the drive South towards Taos was spectacular. The greatest perk of Airstream Hunting is the parts of the country you see along the way. Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico are not to be missed if you have not had the pleasure of a road trip in this area.
Pierre and I arrived safe and sound in Taos, NM just as the sun set over the New Mexico Mesa.
It was my first time in Taos, a magical place I would later call home, and I was captivated.
Day 3 - One great thing can lead to another.
The morning arrived in Taos, blue and bright. I was excited about finding a Clipper. I was thinking ... they are pretty rare right? You don't see them every day. I'm really lucky to have found this one ...
No sooner had the thought passed through my mind and a bright gleam caught my attention to my left. I turned and saw the impossible – Pierre's cousin had dropped by to visit.
The odds of another Clipper just happening by seemed impossible, but here it was. Another Silver Streak Clipper Model 7 – this one number 2281.
