Tom Hanks’ Ford Super Duty, Airstream Combo Hits the Auction Block
Legendary actor spent many years traveling to movie sets and “camping out” in this classic American combo.
Few actors in history are as famous and widely recognizable as Tom Hanks, mostly thanks to his unforgettable performances and legendary characters from films including Castaway, Forrest Gump, The Green Mile, and A League of Their Own, to just name a few. But as it turns out, Hanks is also an avid camper of sorts, as he’s used a 2011 Ford Super Duty F-450 and 1992 Airstream Model 34 Limited to provide him with a home away from home since 1993. Now, both of them are going up for grabs at Bonhams’ upcoming Quail Lodge auction on August 13.
Hanks adorned a window on the Airstream with replica slates from the 18 locations it visited over the years – each a movie set – but otherwise outfitted the trailer in a rather spartan way for a famous actor, at least.
“I got it in the days when movies moved slower,” Hanks told Bonhams. “I had spent too much time in regular trailers with ugly décor and horribly uncomfortable furniture, so I decided to buy a brand-new Airstream shell with an interior made to my own request. I didn’t want anything built-in, other than the kitchen and bathroom, so it had only a desk and cupboard in the back, a futon platform on the floor, and room for a small table and chairs. I wanted a regular sofa, too, so I had one made with removable legs so it would get through the door.”
As for the vehicle used to tow the Airstream, Hanks certainly couldn’t have done much better than the beefy Super Duty F-450. Despite its many journies, the truck has a mere 4,193 miles on the clock, as it was only used for towing the Airstream and nothing else. As such, the Ingot Silver pickup looks brand new and is fully equipped to pull loads much larger and heavier than that shiny, lightweight slice of Americana behind it.
On the surface, it certainly seems strange to see a Ford Super Duty, and perhaps even an Airstream, up for grabs at Bonhams, an auction house that generally focuses on sports cars, exotics, and other high-dollar machines. But this combination is undoubtedly one big piece of Hollywood history, as well as an interesting look into how one of its biggest stars spent many nights on the set of some of the most popular movies in history.
Photos: Bonhams
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