Description
Very Rare Museum grade 1950 Vintage Silver Streak Travel Trailer
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Original Patina, Alien Eyes Windows, Outstanding Condition
One-Family Owned, Nevada Desert Find.
Description:
Presenting a rare opportunity to own a museum-worthy piece of American history: this 1950 Silver Streak Travel Trailer, a vintage beauty in original, unpolished condition. Featuring its signature Alien Eyes windows and a stunning authentic patina, this trailer is a one-family owned gem that has been preserved in the dry Nevada desert climate. The pipe frame and belly pan remain in as-new condition, ensuring the trailer’s durability and longevity.
This Silver Streak is not just a travel trailer—it's a testament to the high-quality craftsmanship and innovation of the Silver Streak company. The brand has been synonymous with premium, custom-built trailers since its founding, producing some of the most desirable and iconic travel trailers of the mid-20th century.
Key Features:
• Make & Model: 1950 Silver Streak Travel Trailer
• Condition: Original unpolished condition with authentic patina
• Ownership: One family-owned, meticulously maintained
• Climate: Originating in Nevada desert, the trailer has remained in a dry climate, ensuring minimal rust and excellent preservation
• Preservation Status: Museum-worthy—this trailer retains its original features, including the pipe frame and belly pan, both in as-new condition
• Exterior: Unpolished aluminium body with rich natural patina, showcasing the vintage silver streak finish
• Alien Eyes Windows: Distinctive, iconic Alien Eyes windows, a hallmark of Silver Streak trailers, offering a unique and futuristic design
• Interior: Exceptionally well-maintained, with original wood paneling, upholstery, and furnishings
• Historical Significance: A rare, unmodified example of mid-century American craftsmanship in original condition
• Size: Spacious interior with classic mid-century design elements, showcasing the trailer’s timeless appeal
• Restoration: Completely unrestored, with the trailer’s original design intact, making it a true time capsule.
Why This is a Must-Have for Collectors:
• Iconic 'Alien Eyes' Design: The “Alien Eyes” windows are one of the most recognized features of Silver Streak trailers, offering a distinctive, futuristic look that sets them apart from other travel trailers of the era.
• Premium Build Quality: Silver Streak was known for its high-quality aluminum construction and handcrafted design. The double-shell aluminum construction technique was used to ensure durability, insulation, and a smoother, sleeker finish than other travel trailers of the time.
• Low Production Numbers: Silver Streak trailers were always produced in limited numbers compared to other brands, which makes them highly sought after by collectors today. This 1950 model is one of the last of its kind, representing the golden age of American road travel.
• Dry Climate Preservation: Having spent most of its life in the Nevada desert, this trailer has been shielded from the harsher conditions that affect many vintage trailers, such as rust and moisture-related damage. The pipe frame and belly pan are in exceptional condition, making this trailer a rare find in such original form.
Construction and Design Features:
• Double-Shell Aluminium Construction: Silver Streak was known for its innovative aluminium construction, using a double-shell technique to provide extra insulation and strength, while maintaining a sleek and smooth finish. This construction method helped Silver Streak trailers stand out for their aerodynamic and durable design.
• Art Deco Influences: Silver Streak trailers feature Art Deco-inspired interior details, with geometric patterns, warm wood panelling, and elegant finishes that reflect the design trends of the 1940s and 1950s.
• Iconic 'Alien Eyes' Windows: The 'Alien Eyes' windows are not just visually striking—they are a perfect example of Silver Streak's ability to blend form and function. These windows are not only aesthetic, but also provide better airflow and natural light inside the trailer, enhancing the travel experience.
This 1950 Silver Streak Travel Trailer is a priceless piece of American history—an exceptional example of the quality craftsmanship and innovative design that defined Silver Streak’s legacy. The 'Alien Eyes' windows, double-shell aluminium construction, and Art Deco-inspired interior make this trailer a must-have for collectors, museums.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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Overall length: 22ft
Body length: 20ft
Width: 7. 4ft
Serial: 2087
Price: Euros 45. 000 ( OBO ) / GBP 37. 900 ( OBO )
Location: Palma de Mallorca Spain
Walk around Video: Upon requestHistory 1949-1997
Silver Streak Trailer Company – El Monte, California
From 1940 to 19489, the Curtis Wright Company (not to be confused with the Curtiss-Wright aircraft company) produced trailer coaches. When Curtis Wright closed in April 1949, a new company named Silver Streak acquired the rights to produce one Curtis Wright model called the Clipper and possibly some of the tooling necessary to build it. Silver Streak was begun by Kennth “Kenny” Neptune, Frank Polito, and James Victor “Pat” Patterson, all three of which were former Curtis Wright employees. Patterson was also Curtis Wright’s son-in-law, married to his daughter Marjorie. In the 1957, Neptune and Polito bought out their partner Patterson. Patterson and another former Curtis Wright employee, Harry Lovett, then founded the Streamline Trailer Mfg. Co.
Ethe Curtis Wright Clipper had been introduced in 1947. It was designed by Wally Byam who founded the Airstream Company in 1931 and introduced the Airstream Clipper in 1936. Airstream shut down in 1941 and Wally Byam worked for Lockheed during the war years. In mid to late 1945 Wally Byam joined Curtis Wright and in late 1946 he designed the Curtis Wright Clipper which was an evolution of his earlier Airstream Clippers.
Curtis Wright continued to build the Clipper after Wally Byam left the company in early 1947 to restart Airstream. In April 1949, Silver Streak acquired the rights to the Clipper from Curtis Wright and it’s first Clippers looked exactly like Curtis Wright Clippers. They were built in El Monte, CA, just 5 miles from the old Curtis Wright factory, likely by many of the same employees.
After reshaping the front and rear Plexiglas windows in 1950, front and rear glass windows that actually opened became an option in late 1953. Silver Streak trailer models continue to evolve in the years and decades that followed.
Manufacturer Information
Silver Streak Trailer Company in El Monte California was originally located at 1166 Chico St. and later moved to 2100 block of Chico St.
In 1986 another company wanted to buy the land the factory was sitting on. Polito and Neptune sold the land. At the time that Pollito and Neptune sold the land the factory General Manager was Rolf Zushlag. The partners had hired Zushlag from Airstream in 1978.
Zushlag made a deal with the two partners for patterns and all machinery. He stayed at the South El Monte site for 12 to 14 months and then found a place in Chino, CA. There were no l987 models manufactured due to the move. Zushlag continued building custom built Silver Streaks until 1997. Both founders are still alive and live in the Los Angeles area. Mr. Zushlag, after closing the factory, is still active in the Los Angeles area in other business activities.
The company came out with the Sterling series trailers in 1985. This trailer had black trim and the gold trimmed trailer was discontinued. Silver Streak never built over 6 trailers per week. There was a national Silver Streak organization from 1968 to 1997.
It was officially disbanded at the St. George, UT National rally when only 28 trailers showed up. There is still a Houston area club and they are planning a Regional rally at Burnett, TX between San Antonio and Kerrville this year on May 6, 2000.
According to Mr. Ashby, who has refurbished and sold over 110 Silver Streaks, it is his opinion the Silver Streak is a far better trailer than the Airstream, based on overall construction and a substantially stronger frame. In addition, unlike the Airstream construction, the Silver Streak skin was built right on the trailer frames. All internal structures and appliances were then placed within the shell through the entry.
The vents on the side of the trailers were placed there as “weep” holes. They resulted in condensation inside the trailer in very cold climates. Mr. Ashby recommends caulking them closed. Mr. Ashby has numerous Silver Streak parts including Hadco axles and grease seals and aluminum segments for the front and rear of some models.
No shop manuals or parts manuals were ever developed by the Silver Streak Co. The only manuals that were developed were the Silver Streak Owners Manuals provided with new trailers.
S/ S moved to Chino, Ca in 1987, as it was “purchased” by Rolf Zuschlag around that time. I was first hired as a welder, but the only production person that followed the move to Chino quit and that left me as the sole employee to manufacturer, what was supposed to be the last S/ S to be made. I managed to finish the trailer, a 26′ unit that was pulled by a VW Thing.
The unit was featured in an issue of RV World. (I think that’s the magazine) The unit was dragged all over Mexico by the Thing. We were true experts on saving weight and maximizing storage space. Incidentally, that unit was ordered by the same person that eventually ordered and received the very last unit built in 1995.
