When you hear “Airstream,” chances are you picture a sleek silver bullet trailer. That’s no accident; Airstream’s aluminum designs have defined its brand for decades. But did you know that Airstream also experimented with fiberglass? Enter the Wally Bee, a rare and innovative creation that pushed the boundaries of trailer design—even though it never made it into production.
A Trailblazing Idea
Airstream’s interest in fiberglass dates back to the 1950s when founder Wally Byam sought to create more cost-effective and lightweight trailers. Teaming up with Danish engineer Marius Hansen, Byam began exploring fiberglass, a material already making waves in the automotive and aerospace industries. Together, they envisioned a new era of affordable, durable trailers.
The first experiment, a 33-foot trailer called the Commodore, used molded fiberglass end caps but retained an aluminum body. However, high production costs stalled the project. Undeterred, Byam and Hansen shifted their focus to a smaller, more economical design for weekend travelers. Thus, the Wally Bee was born.
The Birth of the Wally Bee
The Wally Bee was part of Airstream’s “Easter Egg Program,” an experimental initiative to develop fiberglass trailers. It was made of two molded fiberglass pieces—one for the top and one for the bottom—creating a lightweight and streamlined structure. Though basic in design, it was intended to meet the needs of couples seeking simple yet stylish travel accommodations.
Airstream built two prototypes, and only these two are known to exist today. One of them was famously tested on the 1962 Central American Caravan, with Hansen himself towing it all the way to Nicaragua. The other was recently rescued from an unlikely location: a wild animal habitat, where it had been used as a shelter and was, unfortunately, filled with large cat dung. Now under restoration at Heintz Designs in Panama City, Florida, this prototype is set to join the Gulley Museum Collection as a remarkable piece of history.
Why the Wally Bee Was Never Produced
Despite its innovative design, the Wally Bee faced the same obstacle as the Commodore: high production costs. This made it impractical for mass production, and the project was quietly shelved. One of the prototypes remained at Airstream’s California plant until 1972, when employees Toni and Art Ruiz purchased it. They modified it with a makeshift door and used it as a cargo trailer before parking it in their backyard, where it sat for decades.
A Second Chance at Life
In 2008, fiberglass expert Luke Bernander acquired the Wally Bee and began an ambitious restoration project. Using historic photos and insights from the Airstream community, he brought the trailer back to its “historically unfinished” state. Paired with a striking red Ford F100, the Wally Bee became a showpiece at trade events and meet-ups, sparking conversations about Airstream’s fiberglass experiments.
Today, the Wally Bee prototype restored by Bernander is on display at the Airstream Heritage Center in Jackson Center, Ohio. Meanwhile, the second prototype is undergoing restoration and will soon take its place in the Gulley Museum Collection, which has been featured in several issues of the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine.
Fiberglass and Airstream: A Continuing Legacy
Though the Wally Bee never went into production, Airstream’s fiberglass experiments laid the groundwork for future innovations. In 2016, Airstream partnered with designer Robert Johans to release the Nest, an all-fiberglass trailer. While the Nest was eventually discontinued, it proved that Airstream’s spirit of innovation remains alive and well.
The Wally Bee’s story is a testament to Airstream’s willingness to take risks and explore new materials. It’s a rare piece of history that reminds us how even the boldest ideas can leave a lasting legacy, whether they reach the market or not.
