While Dr. Holman’s 1935 Torpedo was officially recognized in 1984 by Wally Byam himself as Airstream’s oldest known trailer in existence, we invite you to consider another important piece of Airstream history — the 1936 Airstream Silver Cloud. Now part of the Gulley Museum Collection, we believe this rare wooden and Masonite model may be the oldest known factory-produced Airstream trailer still in existence.
The story behind Dr. Holman’s Torpedo is well known: He responded to a 1935 ad in Popular Mechanics, sent away for a 25-cent brochure and a $5 set of plans, and built his trailer over two and a half years, completing it in 1937. While notable, the Torpedo was not factory-built. It was a DIY project — like many trailers constructed from Airstream’s early blueprints — using components sourced from various suppliers. We respectfully categorize the Torpedo as “home-built.”
By contrast, the 1936 Airstream Silver Cloud was produced by the Airstream company and carries an original emblem indicating it is trailer No. 199. To date, no known surviving Airstream trailer with a lower production number has surfaced. We invite anyone who may have knowledge or documentation of an earlier production Airstream to share photos, location details, and emblem numbers with us. While rumors persist about earlier tags, the trailers themselves have not survived.
The 1936 Silver Cloud was the flagship of Airstream’s lineup at the time, reflecting Wally Byam’s inspiration from English caravans. This influence is evident in the trailer’s elegant, curved design and thoughtful interior layout. Original features included a galley immediately inside the entry door, a double bed at the rear (closer to a three-quarter size by modern standards), and a generous clothes closet with hinged doors that doubled as a privacy screen. Additional amenities included a chest of drawers with a wash basin area and a breakfast nook that could be configured into another bed setup.
When acquired, the Silver Cloud had undergone significant modifications — painted brown and white, re-skinned in aluminum, and fitted with non-original windows. Once the metal skin was removed, the original blue and white paint scheme on the wood and Masonite was revealed. Restoration efforts focused on returning the trailer to its authentic 1936 design. Remarkably, 70% of the original cabinetry was saved, including door faces, closet components, bed frames, trim, and hardware, much of which has been cleaned and re-plated. Approximately 75% of the original ½-inch plywood flooring remains, with only a four-foot section at the rear being replaced.
Although the structural sides required replacement due to damage, we faithfully followed the original construction, which featured 3/8-inch plywood overlaid with 1/8-inch Masonite—a detail noted in Wally’s comments about early trailers. Underneath the old modifications, we found original framework markings that mapped out window and fixture placements. These guided the restoration, including re-sizing the windows to their original specifications and repainting the trailer with a late-1936 color scheme.
For display, this historically significant trailer is paired with a 1937 Chrysler Airflow, echoing Wally Byam’s fondness for exhibiting his aluminum 1936 Clipper with a matching Chrysler of the same era. While our Airflow shows its age, needing paint and upholstery, it provides the perfect complement to the Silver Cloud’s vintage elegance.
The 1936 Airstream Silver Cloud was restored by Chuck and Toni Miltenberger and made its public debut at Modernism Week in Palm Springs, and now resides as a permanent piece of the Gulley Museum Collection, preserving a rare chapter in Airstream history. We are proud to share its story and encourage fellow enthusiasts to help us uncover even more about these remarkable early trailers.
