Any chance someone can help me find the VIN number on my 1963 Fireball Meteor 16'?

Fireballs had odd, space-themed names relating to the US space race.  The company’s original name was Kurmann Trailer Company (named for owners Joseph and Rosetta Kurmann of San Fernando, CA).  As a marketing gig, they used “Fireball” one year.  So popular they re-named the company Fireball Trailer Company.  Campers were Travel Trailers, Class-A, -C, and 5th wheels. Sizes ranged from 8 footers to 34 feet.  One TT (33’ Commodore) included a speedboat (either came with trailer, or supply your own if under 1,000 pounds).  Actually a verrrry innovative camper manufacturer, and as Larry Walsh (Mobiltec) says, Fireballs had a lot of storage.  My personal favorite canned ham.  Been “restoring” our 1964 Meteor 2015-2019+ish.  Recently found another Meteor with VIN only 6 digits off from ours.  That means if I understand the Fireball  VIN system, they came out of the assembly line the same week, if not the same day!  Freaky, no?  You don’t see Fireballs often partly because Joseph only marketed his product in 6 or 7 Western states.  Only seen two others in person.  Both Meteors, but none the same.  True stealth company: three assembly plants (CA, ID, KS) but almost zero records.  Researcher in Boisie found three newspaper articles for a plant there 1972-1992.  a true conundrum mystery surrounded in secrecy.

A vin saying 20 is sensible since old camper makers included tongue length.  

Making it even worse is that older Fireballs didn’t have “bumpers” on the rear, and if they did, they might be 2” square or 4” square.  So you can’t include bvumper/hose carrier in length.  Our Meteor measures 13’ coach if 

I don’t include the 2” square bumper. Hope you can see the entire chart.  

looks like there were at least two”17s”:  17-L (Lavatory and toilet) and 17-ST (shower and toilet).  The 17TLS may be one of these, or another model.  I’m convinced Joseph Kurmann never made two of the same model exactly the same.  Fascinating company.

That means you might have an Astronaut with special-ordered double axle.  But likely you have a Fireball 17 TLS.  Your coach measurement might be off.  In the old days, you measured including the tongue (unlike today).  The 17 TLS had the double axle but no “bumpout” trunk on the rear...does yours?  

Welcome to GORV'S Heather, Camper looks really nice. The manufacture must of had a good since of humor with the name. Good luck on your new project.