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Tin Can Tourists’ Caravan
Celebrating the Bicentennial
Anniversary of the Historic
National Road
For additional information on Tin Can Tourists email Forrest Bone at [email protected]
Visit us at tincantourists.com
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Tin Can Tourists Caravan Celebrating the Bicentennial
Anniversary of the Historic National Road
The Tin Can Tourists have been honored by the Six State Alliance of the Historic
National Road by being chosen to participate in the Bicentennial Celebration. TCT in
conjunction with the Six State Alliance have chosen 30 vintage trailers and motor
coaches to travel the road from June 4-10, 2006 from mile marker zero in Cumberland,
Maryland to its original terminus in Vandalia, Illinois. The selected RV’s will represent
some of the industries premier manufactures from Airstream to Vagabond. Tow vehicles
of similar vintage will tow many of the rigs. The Caravan will give people along the route
a chance to see a rare Curtiss Aero Car towed by a custom International for the late
1930’s and a 1936 Bowlus Road Chief towed by a 1937 Buick Roadmaster as well as
other fine examples of trailers and motor coaches from the 40’s 50’s and 60’s.
The Historic National Road
In 1806, an Act of Congress allocated funds for George Washington’s Dream of
building an all-weather road across the Allegany Mountains and into the heart of the
frontier. President Thomas Jefferson signed the bill into law and The National Road; the
nation’s first federally funded interstate highway was born.
The road would eventually stretch for more than 800 miles and cross six states
from its beginning at Baltimore, Maryland to its termination at the Mississippi in East St.
Louis, Illinois.
Construction of the road began in 1811 at Cumberland, Maryland extending the
already existing route from the seaport of Baltimore. It was know first as The
Cumberland Road but has since been known by several names including The Great
National Pike, The Old National Road and The National Trail.
It took more than 25 years to complete as it crept across Maryland, Pennsylvania,
West Virginia and eventually Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Unlike many privately built
roads of this era, this one was free to travel.
By 1818, the road had reached Wheeling, then part of Virginia. West of
Wheeling, the route continued on the path of Zane’s Trace, the first road in Ohio. An
important aspect of The Historic National Road is the fact that many of the earlier
Indian trails and colonial routes were interwoven into the road alignment, thus preserving
their legacy.
By the late 1830’s, a lack of funds halted construction at the Ohio and Indiana
border. In 1939, it finally reached Vandalia, then the Illinois state capital and the western
end of the road. It was later completed to East St. Louis, opening a link to the water route
of the Mississippi.
In the 1850’s, the increased popularity of railroads caused the road to go into
decline. The National Road remained unimproved until the 1930’s, when it was paved
and renamed “Route 40”.
From 1950 to the 1970’s, a new limited-access highway system was constructed
to parallel this famous old highway. Interstate Highways 68 and 70 became the main
routes through this area. The age of high-speed travel had bypassed the history and charm
of “Route 40”.
Today, however, those interested in its preservation are rejuvenating this historic
corridor. In 2000, this road was named a National Scenic Byway by the U.S. Federal
Government and in 2002 it was designated an All American Road by the Federal
Highway Administration and now is know as The Historic National Road.
If you spend some time and travel this road today, you will be treated to countless
quaint, cultural and Historic venues along this – “ road that built the nation”.
Tin Can Tourists: A Brief History
The Tin Can Tourists were organized at Desoto Park, Tampa, Florida, in 1919.
They received the official state charter a year later. The groups stated objective was “to
unite fraternally all autocampers”. Their guiding principles were clean camps,
friendliness among campers, decent behavior and to secure plenty of clean, wholesome
entertainment from those in camp. The group known for the soldered tin can on their
radiator caps grew rapidly during the twenties and thirties. Members could be inducted
fellow campers through an initiation process that taught the prospective member the
secret handshake, sign, and password. After singing the official song “The More We Get
Together” the trailerite was an official member of the Tin Can Tourists of the World.
Summer reunions were held at various Midwest locations, with Traverse City,
Michigan serving as a primary host city. The club spent winters at Desoto Park until
1924. Because locals grew tired of their park being over run with northerners, the park
was closed a month early in March. The canners took the hint and moved the Winter
Convention to Arcadia, where the community had built a municipal park especially for
the Tin Can Tourists. By 1932, with, membership estimates ranging from 30,000 to
100,000, city Chambers of Commerce were actively pursuing TCT to choose their
community for either Homecoming, Winter Convention or Going Home meets. The
Winter Convention was the best attended and was an economic boon to the host
community. Sarasota had its eye on the prize and lured the Convention away from
Arcadia in 1932. The vote on the Winter Convention site was hotly contested. Many
Canners were loyal to Arcadia, the town that wanted them after their ejection from
Tampa. A 250 strong car caravan let by Sarasota’s mayor and other public officials, help
swing the vote selecting Sarasota as the Winter Convention site for 1932. As a
concession to those that favored Arcadia, it was designated as the official site for
Homecoming festivities. In 1938, the mayor of Sarasota indicated that the national
perception that Sarasota was a tin can tourist’s town was hurting the community and that
he would not renew the Winter Convention contract. Tampa offered the canners a fiveyear deal to return to Tampa. It was accepted and the Winter Convention returned to
specially built Municipal Park. The group faced membership declines due to combination
of factors, (1) a schism with in the ranks and the formation of ATA, the Automobile
Tourists Association, (2) an economic recession in 1939 that greatly diminished the
number of trailer manufactures, and (3) the onset of World War II. Winter Convention
photograph depict a much smaller group in 1948 at Tampa. The original groups “Swan
Song” convention was held in Eustis, Florida in 1968. By the mid-70’s the club was no
longer in existence in any form.
In 1998, Forrest and Jeri Bone renewed the club as an all make and model vintage
trailer and motor coach club. The renewal gathering was held at Camp Dearborn,
Milford, Michigan. Twenty-one rigs attended the May Renewal Gathering. By the end of
the year, fifty members were accepted as charter members of the renewed version of the
Tin Can Tourists. The group has grown steadily, currently holding Annual Gatherings in
Michigan, Florida, and regional rallies at various locations in the US. Recently Regional
Representatives have been added to represent England, Japan and France.
The new version of Tin Can Tourists is open to all. Its goal is to abide by the
original group’s objectives and guiding principles as well as the promotion and
preservation of vintage trailers and motor coaches through Gatherings and information
exchange.
For additional information concerning the Caravan or Tin Can Tourists
membership inquiries, visit us at tincantourists.com or via email at
[email protected]. For those without computer access, call Forrest or Jeri during the
summer at 248-684-0393 or winter 941-748-1483.
Names: Forrest and Jeri Bone
Location: Bradenton, Florida
Trailer: 1949 American
Unique features: The American is a Masonite sided trailer with a
canvas covered roof.
Forrest is a retired teacher and coach. Jeri was a stay at home mom.
Terry, oldest of three children, is the TCT Webmaster.
Forrest and Jeri renewed TCT as an all make and model vintage trailer
and motor coach club in 1998, signing up 50 charter members during
the year. As of January, 2006 TCT has grown to 500 members.
Phone: 248-684-0393
Email: [email protected]
Names: Bert & Dot Kalet
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Trailer: 1964 Airstream Bambi II
The Bambi II has been renovated to include all modern conveniences.
Dot and Burt are both retired veterinarians. Mike their eldest child of
three is a member of TCT, also.
Dot and Burt have been very active in the Wally Byam International
Caravan Club, as a Vintage Airstream Regional Representative and
Caravan Leader.
Bert and Dot are having their Bambi II Polished. A picture of their
trailer will be available prior to our departure.
Phone: 336-768-5929
Name: Doug Hardekopf
Location: Sandwich, Illinois
Trailer: 2006 Camp_inn Teardrop
Unique features: A high end reproduction of a 1930's 40's teardrop
trailer that I pull with a 2003 new beetle convertible
The trailer is aluminum sided with stainless steel fenders. It has birch
wood paneled interior with unbelievable amount of storage. The
kitchen and tables also are stainless steel.
Doug retired from AT&T and plans on visiting every county in the lower
48 with his Teardrop trailer.
Names: Terry, Michelle and Paige Bone
Location: Wixom, Michigan
Trailer: 1957 Sportcraft "15"
Tow Vehicle: 1966 Ford F100 Custom Cab
Unique features: The Sportcraft is a traditional, small "canned ham"
style trailer. Birch interior with original icebox and two burner cook
stove.
Terry is a manager at Ford Credit and Michelle is a dental hygienist.
Paige is a 6th grade student at Sara Banks Middle School. They have
all been active in the TCT since the renewal in 98, running the web site
and helping out at the rallies.
Phone: 248-926-9440
Name: Don Boehme
Location: Oak Park, Illinois
Trailer: 1962 Shasta
Tow Vehicle: 1956 Ford Station Wagon with a 292 Engine
Unique features: This “Canned Ham” Shasta has the “wings”. The
interior is still Birch wood, with the original seat cushions, floor tiles,
cabinets, and appliances. Everything is in working order. The Shasta
was painted to match my tow vehicle.
Don is single and a retired Art Director who worked in Chicago.
Don joined TCT in 2004, attending the Annual Gathering in a tent and
his 56’ Ford. After the Gathering, he found an unrestored Shasta that
was restored by 2005. He hasn't been the same since....
Phone: 708-386-9099
Name: Bob & Rita Meredith
Location: Keyser, West Virginia
Trailer: 1971 Serro Scotty Sportsman, 13 ft
Tow Vehicle: 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Unique features: The Scotty came pretty much with the basics
refurbished with the original icebox, cabinets and appliances. The
Jeep Grand Wagoneer has its leather interior and wood grain panel on
the exterior.
Bob is an artist working from his studio at home, painting scenes from
the Chesapeake Bay as well as old campers. He also recently
purchased a 1977 Winnebago that he is restoring that came with only
31,000 original miles. His wife Rita is still employed as a Medical
Office Manager and is also an artist and quilter. They have been
camping together since their marriage in 1964.
Phone: 304-726-4226
Name: Mary Sherwood Elordi
Location: Chelsea, Michigan
Trailer: 1941 Teardrop Rebuild
Unique features: One of the larger teardrops on the road
Mary is a World Cultures/Spanish specialist with Dexter Community
Schools. Her love of camping and a desire to share that love with her
children prompted her to purchase her Teardrop from a skilled
builder/restorer in Illinois. The teardrop's versatility in towing and set
up was the perfect solution to camping with children. She and her
children have traveled throughout the Midwest sharing the teardrop
with many curious campers.
Phone: 734-475-8281
Don and Carol Mayton
Location: Zeeland, Michigan
Trailer: 1936 Bowlus
Tow Vehicle: 1936 Buick Roadmaster.
Unique features: The Bowlus predates the aluminum Airstream by a
couple of years and was built by aviator Hawley Bowlus maker of
glider airplanes. You enter the Bowlus over the tongue of the trailer.
Don is a retired plant manager from General Motors and is enjoying his
hobby of restoring old cars and is project manager for restoring a
Futurliner for the NATMUS museum in Auburn, Indiana.
Carol's hobbies include reading, grandchildren, camping, sewing, scrap
booking, and they both enjoy traveling.
Phone: 616-875-3058
Hardy and Terry Evans
Location: Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Trailer: 1999 Wayzalot, a homemade "Rollin Home"
Unique features: The Wayzalot is "one of a kind” cedar sided fifth
wheel, with a back porch built with an eclectic flair, and yes, it weighs
a lot.
Hardy is retired from TransCore, where he worked as the toll collection
equipment maintenance manager, contracted to the Illinois Tollway.
Terry is retired from the Criminal Justice field. As a couple, they are
active in antique car, truck, train and camper clubs as well as local
historical societies. They enjoy meeting outsider artists and seek out
the unusual. Terry is an artist and Hardy helps create unusual art
pieces, which often include antique items and or photographs. They
collect old light bulbs, big band era music, antique electrical parts,
glass negatives, statue of liberty, travel related items, and wedding
photographs.
Phone: 262-697-0777
Names: Gary and Sally Lodholm
Location: Gig Harbor, Washington
Trailer: 1949 Kit Chateau
Painted Faux Finishes on the interior
Gary retired after a 40-year career with the local electrical utility.
Sally has 28 years of driving a school bus. They live just North of the
head of Gig Harbor Bay in a 1908 Farmhouse. They are avid
gardeners, salmon fisherman, collect antiques/primitives and vintage
trailers, currently owning 7 and still looking.
Phone: 253-858-6455
Name: Henry Wallace
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Henry has lived most of his life on a 600-acre working farm just
outside of Louisville. He has also lived in Madrid Spain and Amsterdam
Holland. Currently, he is splitting his time between new home
construction and management of the family farm. Henry is single and
has no children. He has raced and collected cars since his early 20's.
He began collecting trailers in 2003, and currently has about 15 units
from 1934 through 1969. Henry is planning on bringing hiis 1937
Covered Wagon on the 2006 Caravan.
Phone 502-228-0863
Names: Craig & Patricia Leach
Location: Sterling Heights, Mi
Motor home 1969 Newell
Unique features: Thirty feet all aluminum body, original Formica
interior, gas powered, and five speed automatic transmission.
Craig is a delivery truck driver with over 30 years of experience. Pat
works for Huntington Bank in the facilities department for 15 years.
They love to travel around the country in the Newell, meeting a wide
variety of people and enjoying America's beauty.
Phone: 586-978-3436
Names: Brian and Kim McCool
Location: Delton, MI, near Kalamazoo.
Brian is an RN, and loves finding and fixing up old cars, boats,
motorcycles and trailers.
Kim is a dental hygienist, quilts, loves camping, and keeping up with
the activities of our many nieces and nephews. She tolerates Brian’s
car collecting very well!
Their trailer is a '48 Spartan Manor they found and refurbished five
years ago. Built from a gutted hulk, the trailer has been set up like a
modern RV, but keeping the vintage feel. They pull it with their '48
Pontiac 'Torpedo' Deluxe convertible, which they've had for 31 years.
Like the trailer, the car has been upgraded and modified over the
years, but still looks mostly original. They've been all over the county
with the car and trailer, and enjoy the comments and compliments
from people they meet everywhere they go.
Brian and Kim are thrilled to be among those participating in the
National Road Bicentennial Caravan, and look forward to meeting
everyone else on the tour, and making many new friends along the
way!
Phone: 616-623-5593
Names: Rick & Janice Myer
Location: London, Ontario
Trailer: 1972 Boler Scout
Unique features: First mass-produced fiberglass travel trailer and the
original from which Scamps and Casitas were cloned.
Just like Winnie the Pooh, it is Canadian and was first produced in
Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1968.
Rick is a recently retired clergyperson and does pulpit supply work in
Southwestern Ontario. Janice is a Placement Case Manager and
currently job-shares at the Community Care Access Centre in London
as a Placement Services Coordinator.
Rick is the Eastern Canadian representative for TCT and with Fred
Taylor has organized TCT sponsored Glass Class Rallies in Southern
Ontario. In Summer 2005, 112 fiberglass travel trailers attended the
Glass Class Rallye at Emily Provincial Park in Omeeme, Ontario.
La Vie Sur Roues! - Life on the Road!
Phone: 519-657-7055
Names: Ken and Lana Hindley
Location: Union, Ontario Canada
Trailer: 1936 Curtiss Aerocar/towed by a custom built 1938
International Truck
Unique Features: Vinyl covered 5th wheelhouse trailer. By using
airplane principals the trailer has no actual chassis
Ken runs a family owned business (Hindley’s Garage), restoring
antique cars, trucks and trailers etc.
He also was a volunteer fireman, deputy chief and chief for 45 years.
Lana, was a stay at home mom to two daughters, Dawne and Deanna
and now is the bookkeeper for the business.
Ken and Lana are charter members of TCT, also members of ATHS
American Truck Historical Society and are also members of the Kettle
Valley Pioneers.
Phone: 519-631-1055
Names: John and Dot Flis
Location: Brown City, Michigan
Motor Coach: 1940 IHC “The Shack” homebuilt
Unique Features: John and Dot Flis built the 1940 IHC truck and “The
Shack” from 90% recycled “stuff”. As described by author and
photographer, Doug Keister, in his book Mobile Mansions, (where “The
Shack” is featured) “when John and Dot Flis decided to get a camper in
the mid-1990’s, they didn’t want any of the pedestrian-looking
offerings at the RV dealerships. They wanted something unique and
fun that suited their personalities and lifestyle. Their love of all things
old led them to a 1940 International pickup, which they found moored
behind a barn in southwest Michigan. After purchasing the truck, the
division of labor was established with John assigned to work on the
mechanics and Dot appointed to work on the nest. The result is
affectionately called “The Shack”.
John replaced the old truck engine with a robust 350 Chevy engine
and beefed up the suspension and drive train to enable the truck to
support the camper and tow an 18’ flatbed trailer with a homebuilt
fake steam engine known as “The Jitney”.
Dot designed a wheeled farmhouse with a galvanized roof, plywood
siding, birdhouse, flowerpot and taillights made from kerosene
lanterns. The interior of “The Shack” has all the comforts of home
(albeit on a reduced scale), including a sink, small refrigerator that
runs on propane or electricity, microwave, porta-potty, wall-to-wall
carpet, vaulted ceiling, and air conditioning.”
John is a retired Michigan State Police Detective Sergeant and Dorothy
is a retired farmer and housewife. They reside on their farm, High
Ridge Acres, in Brown City, Michigan. They travel to farm shows,
parades, and exhibits and with the Tin Can Tourists vintage RVs. Dot
and John’s motto is “Good folks, good fun, go often, stay long”. They
can be seen with “The Shack” on “RV Crazy” on Discovery Channels’
Travel Channel.
When John and Dot decided to get an RV in the mid-90’s, they knew
they didn’t want anything from the RV dealership. Their love for all
things old led them to a 1940 International Pickup which they found
moored behind a barn in southern Michigan. After the purchase of the
truck the division of labor was established, John looked after the
mechanics and Dot went to work on the nest. The result is
affectionately called “The Shack”.
Picture and article available in Doug Keister’s new book:
Mobil Mansions – Taking “Home Sweet Home” on the Road
Pages 68-71 John and Dot’s Phone: 810-387-2296
Names: William and Wilma Svec
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Motor Coach: 1953 (Ford) Marmon Herrington
Made by Ford to 1948 and then by Marmon Herrington from 1948 to
1959.
Engine: 1958 Lincoln
Wheels: Radial 19 ½ by 225 Tires with aluminum rims
William is a retired engineer. Wilma was a stay at home mom.
In their earlier years they traveled extensively; but now concentrate
on their TCT membership and activities.
Phone: 216-351-4493
No Email
Names: Wayne and Linda Moore
Location: Windham, NH
Trailer: 1966 Airstream
Unique features: frameless curved glass windows, endless hot water
heater
Wayne is a Facilities Planner in the Aerospace Industry and a retired
Air Force Reservist.
Linda is the Finance Manager for a startup company that manufactures
laser components.
They have 2 grown children, the oldest is married with one child and
the youngest is serving his country in the U.S. Army.
Wayne and Linda have been heavily involved in the Vintage Airstream
Club. Wayne is the current President and Linda is the Newsletter
Committee Chairperson.
Phone: 603-475-9457
Names: Don & DeAnna Anderson
Location: Genoa City, Wisconsin
Trailer: 17' 1957 Tour-A -Home
Manufactured in Flint, Michigan
DeAnna's parents purchased the trailer new in 1957. They have kept
it in original condition except for exterior paint. Their daughter was
born while they were living in the trailer during Don’s attendance at
grad school.
Don is a retired teacher and DeAnna retired from Real Estate. They
have 2 children and 2 grandchildren. They love to camp, travel and
enjoy outdoor activities. They are looking forward to the National
Historic Road Caravan.
Phone: 262-279-3590
Names: Clayton and Nancy Snyder
Location: Penalosa, Kansas
RV: 1972 Superior 22 ft Class A Motorhome
Unique features: The Superior was built from 1970 to about 1978;
Construction is all welded galvanized steel. Built on a Dodge M300
chassis, powered by a 413 Dodge truck engine. Unit is original with a
few modifications.
Clayton retired from the US Air Force in 1979 and has since worked in
the trucking industry and education. He currently teaches truck driving
part time at Wichita Area Technical College in Wichita Kansas. Nancy is
a retired small business owner. They live on a 103-year-old
farmhouse in the country in central Kansas, traveling as much as time
allows.
Phone: 620-532-2083
Names: Hunt and Susan Jones
Location: Mountain Lakes NJ
Trailer: 1962 Airstream Globe Trotter
Tow Vehicle: 1955 GMC 100
Despite a career in a suit and subsequent businesses as a beekeeper
and painter, Hunt is an experienced pirate. Susan retired from a 34year teaching stint but is currently back in the same school mentoring
new teachers. When not on the road, they have found some
weekends at home to be necessary but unexciting. Crank 'er up; let's
get out of here!
Phone: 973-627-4964
Names: Ken and Petey Faber
Location: Wyoming, Michigan
Ken and Petey have been married 45 years and have four children and
eight grandchildren. They have grown up seeing the world with the
Faber’s.
Tin Can Tourists and Vintage Airstream Club are their two favorite
clubs. They have enjoyed the opportunity to meet and make friends
with many wonderful people.
As longtime trailerists, they bought their first Airstream in 1963.
Loving the road and the places that they have been able to visit and
enjoy.
Their travel highlights include trips abroad to New
Zealand, South Africa and Belize. Camping in these exotic places has
given them a perspective that is much more intimate than could be
achieved with any other form of travel. Their current project is the
restoration of a 1936 Hayes trailer. If all goes well, this is the unit
they hope to take on the Caravan. If it is not completed by June, they
will participate with one of their Airstream.
Picture of Hayes unavailable at this time.
Phone: 616-534-8282
Names: Allan and Marion Woods
Location: Thorndale, Ontario, Canada
Trailer: One of a kind homebuilt Teardrop
Unique Features: Towed by a 1948 Pontiac Streamline powered by the
original Straight Eight with Hydramatic transmission.
Allan spent his life dairy farming on the family farm, which has been in
the Wood’s name since 1855.
The next generation is not longer in dairy, but cash crops on acreage
that has grown over the years. A thousand acres of crops include
wheat, edible beans and corn.
Allan participated in the Coast-to-Coast Canada tour in 2000. We
traveled from home to Vancouver Island, across Canada to St. John’s,
Newfoundland and home again.
Allan and Marion are enjoying a new home built in 2005 on one of the
farm properties. They remain in the family business and help out when
needed.
Phone: 519-461-1136
No Email: [email protected]
Names: Paul Pieche
Location: Berkley, Michigan
Motor Coach: The 1968 UltraVan was purchased May 1988 for
$800.00. Paul spent the next 3 years restoring; at a cost of
$14,780.00. A crew of 5 women made the UltraVan in Hutchinson
Kansas on August 1968. The coach is 22 ft. long, 8ft. wide and 8.2"
high. It Weights 4,300# with 30 gallon of fuel and 30 gallons of fresh
water. It is made entirely of Aluminum, with fiberglass corners and
Formica paneling. It sleeps 4 adults and has a full bath, refrigerator,
stove, microwave etc. Is powered by a rear engine 110hp. 6-cylinder
Corvair engine and 2-speed automatic transmission. It will cruise at
65mph and gets 14.56 miles per gallon.
Rebuilding things has always been Paul’s hobby. He belongs to TCT,
Corsa and Detroit Corvair club. He is looking forward to various trips in
2006; having 6 trips planned.
1968 UltraVan built in Hutchinson Kansas, 22ft. long 8' wide made of
Aluminum and fiberglass no steel in this unit: interior paneling is all
Formica; Powered by 110hp air cooled Corvair engine with two-speed
Power Glide transmission; totally rebuilt between May 1996 and June
1999; sleeps 4 adults. It has the following amenities microwave, full
bath, refrigerator, gas stove, television, 30-gallon fresh water, 60gallon wastewater, and 30 gallons fuel. The UltraVan gets 14.65
MPG and is a joy to drive.
Phone: 248-542-5372
Name: John “Canner” Culp
Location: Clermont, Florida
Trailer: 1947 Westcraft
The Culp family purchased the Westcraft in 1947. This trailer has been
kept in original condition and a testament to the craftsmanship utilized
by the Westcraft Company.
John has been full timing in the Westwood for the past 8 years. John is
the only active member of Tin Can Tourists that actually visited a
Winter Convention of the original club. In 1947, John, went with his
mother and father to Tampa and enjoyed the day’s activities at the
Convention.
Contact: 330-461-2780
No email
Name: Doug and Sharon Cuyler
Location: Rochester Hills, Michigan
Trailer: 1949 Airstream Liner Southwind
Tow Vehicle: 1949 Buick Sedanette
Unique features: This 1949 Airstream was custom built for Ventry and
Alfreada Smith of Inkster, Michigan. While hosting Mr. Wally
Byam, owner of the Airstream Company, at their home for a business
dinner, Mr. Byam offered to build them a trailer now that Airstream
production had been resumed after World War II aluminum use
restrictions. The Smith's accepted his offer and Mrs. Smith made
some changes to the standard Airstream design to help with her
claustrophobia. The Standard oval Plexiglas windows were replaced
with opening awning types glass windows.
We are both retired from IBM and enjoy our historic house, sailing, old
cars and our 1949 Airstream. The trailer is known as Mrs. Smith,
named after her first owner. Besides a love for old trailers we also
enjoy other hobbies.
Doug's hobbies are working on and restoring his many old cars. The
oldest is a 1927 Oakland Phaeton. He is currently restoring a
1949 Chevrolet 5 window pickup.
Sharon's hobbies include knitting, weaving,
(flowers and vegetables), and cooking.
Phone: 248-651-4517
spinning,
gardening
Name: Chuck Schneider & Diane Flis Schneider
Location: Lapeer, Michigan
Trailer: 1932 Custom built no brand name.
Unique Features: Original mahogany/gumwood interior with inlaid
wood floor, original upholstery, curved ceiling, rear "Pullman car style"
back porch, and roll-up windows with stained glass.
Tow vehicle: 1938 Diamond T 1-1/2 ton with custom "express body"
on the rear, powered by a Cummins diesel engine
Tractor on truck: l012 McCormick Deering orchard tractor
Chuck and Diane recently sold the executive conference center that
Diane managed and Chuck retired from a sales and marketing position
at Ford Motor Company in 1999. Their grown children and
granddaughters live in Texas. Now they are busy renovating a 240acre farm they bought to create a "museum" for their collection of
antique cars, trucks and farm tractors and of course, vintage travel
trailers. They are members of many truck, car and tractor clubs and
travel thought the US and Canada to show and add to their collection.
Phone: Home: (810) 664-6550
Diane cell: (248) 421-7698
Name: John and Mary Jane Merschdorf
Location: Mansfield, Ohio
RV: 1969 Volkswagen Westfalia Campmobile
Purchased in 1971
John and Mary Jane were self-employed prior to retirement in 2002.
They have been involved with the vintage Volkswagen scene and
classic car shows/cruise-ins since 1991. They are members of the
Central Ohio Vintage Volkswagen Club, joining in 1993. They have
been members of Tin Can Tourists since 2001.
Phone: 419-989-5550
Name: Stuart Echols
Location: Lakeland, Florida
Trailer: 1949 Vagabond Gypsy Traveler Model 19
The Vagabond Company owned by Mr. Fred Burt built Vagabonds from
1931-1961 in New Hudson, Michigan. The company dissolved in the
late 60’s, a few years after Mr. Burt sold it.
Stuart’s retirement has allowed him to have the extra time needed to
play with his hobbies, which includes the old “house” trailers he grew
up with.
The 19-foot Traveler is a small trailer in comparison with most models.
The red is the original color of this trailer. The trailer, which has
undergone extensive restoration, was purchased in Sylvania, Ohio.
Stuart allegiance to Vagabond coaches was fostered early in life. They
were his father’s preference because in his opinion they were built to
withstand harsh climates, rough roads, and long trips to various job
sites across the country.
Phone: 863-647-5312
Name: Kirk and Beth Olmsted
Location: Redford Michigan
Trailer: 1967 Airstream Globetrotter
Custom curtains: by Beth Olmsted, Cushions by Janet’s Upholstery,
and Polishing by Kirk Olmsted
Tow Vehicle: 1958 2 door Ford Ranch Wagon: Customized by Kirk and
Joe Olmsted: 390 police interceptor engine, C6 transmission,
Vermillion red and Polo white paint
The jobs that keep them going for their days off: Kirk is a Computer
Network Administrator, and Beth is a Public Health Nurse. For the
past 14 years they have enjoyed sharing with family and friends their
50’s custom cars and home. In May of 2003 they visited the TCT
Spring Gathering to look at the different styles of travel trailers to help
them choose the size they liked. By their anniversary in June of 2003
they found the Airstream they liked in Lancaster PA, owned by Jim and
Linda Stienstra. They were the 2nd owners who had updated this
California built trailer with hardwood floors, refrigerator and air
conditioner. By the fall of 2003 the Olmsted’s started to update the
trailer with their own touches, endless polishing, new curtains and
upholstery for they could enjoy. They have found a new freedom
with their 1958 Ford Ranch wagon towing our Airstream and also
found a new fellowship when we joined the Tin Can Tourists. This
fellowship and comradely have kept them coming back every year for
more camping and fun.
Phone: 313-937-2200

pdf version - Tin Can Tourists

Transcription

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