May is here and the camping season is well and truly underway. Welcome to the second Airstream Europe newsletter.
Since our last adventure Airstream has taken the centre stage spotlight in the UK exhibition arena and the first 532 model has arrived.
Now back in the UK after a whistle-stop tour of Europe, the first 532 prototype can be viewed next week at Airstream's stand at the Caravan Club National Rally in the UK, see full details in the next article below.
The adventure continues and we want you to come with us.
Come and view the new Airstream International 532 (end Bathroom, 2 berth, single axle) at the Caravan Club National Rally. This major annual event is this year staged in the beautiful grounds of Tatton Park in Cheshire, close to Manchester Airport. Over 3500 outfits/10,000 people are expected to attend and enjoy the tented village-like atmosphere.
Even if you are not a member of the Caravan Club, you can still go along as a day visitor, and as our guest (with this printed newsletter in your hand - otherwise you will be charged £7.50 each, cash only) on the following general CC member days:
Saturday 27th May, Sunday 28th May or Monday 29th May….10am to 5pm.
Or alternatively, we recommend you avoid the potential people and traffic queues, have a more private and less hurried viewing of the International 532, and seek us out in the Trade Exhibition area before the Rally opens on:
Wednesday 24th, or Thursday 25th May….11am-5pm, when Anthony Slocock our Technical Director will be in attendance….Friday 26th May is to be avoided altogether because of ingoing traffic!
And just in case the weather turns to rain any day over this Bank Holiday weekend ,the 532 will be under cover in a rather special Marquee…yes, you guessed it…not white but silver!
We look forward to talking Airstream with you.
The first European production prototype, the single axle 2 berth 532 International, rolled out on time on Saturday 20th March with a completed weight within 5kg of target. In subsequent weeks it travelled through Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Holland before returning to the UK.
Practical Caravan enjoyed a day with the 532 at Royal Umpire Caravan Park in Lancashire, see their upcoming August edition for full details.
Some 37 improvements are currently underway for the mk2 532 prototypes, which will return to the UK in late July/ early August. Production models are expected in the autumn.
The National Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show was Airstream Europe's first major public outing. The 503 prototype generated a constant buzz with a huge amount of interest from both the visiting public and press alike.
Over 3,000 people visited the Airstream stand during the show with nearly £¾ million pounds of retail sales generated. Find out more...
BPW is specialised in the manufacture of axles, all kinds of suspensions and ancillary equipment and supply the torsion axle, chassis and running gear on the European Airstream.
Airstream & BPW have worked together since September 2004 to develop the new chassis designs that underpin – in all senses of the word – the new EU trailer fleet.
Compliant with EU Directives and lighter in weight than the fully welded US chassis design, the new chassis brings many benefits whilst losing none of what is ‘Airstream’.The company's headquarters are in Wiehl, east of Cologne and more than 4,500 people work for the BPW Group worldwide. Find out more...
Following in the footsteps of Wally Byam himself, we took the Airstream 532 to Italy to try and recreate the famous 1950's photo.
Pisa is a historic town in Tuscany, near the mouth of the river Arno and is now most famous for the world renowned architectural masterpiece, the 'Leaning Tower'.
Take a good look round modern Pisa away from the main tourist routes and you will still find it has a quietness and an air of a town that has seen a huge shift in cultural and historical importance. See more...
Congratulations to Ron and Maureen Devine from Reading in Berkshire.
Along with other Caravan Club members visiting the NEC National Boat Caravan & Outdoor Show, Ron & Maureen had the exclusive opportunity to win a fortnight's UK holiday use of the new European Airstream International 532, complete with a Land Rover Discovery 3 TD6 HSE to tow it with!
The £80,000 outfit includes a Club Sites Passport giving free access to all Club sites* for the duration of the holiday.
The Land Rover, supplied courtesy of Land Rover UK, is a superb towing vehicle and, as What Car? Magazine's Car of the Year in 2005, represents the very latest in on-road, as well as off-road, sophistication. Together with the Airstream International 532, it adds up to unarguably the most desirable combination on the road. Well done.*Excludes CLs and other non-Club-owned sites, and subject to site availability.
