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dkutz · 01-13-2006, 03:53 PM

I have been looking endlessly for a Caravel for our family. It seems to be the right size for us and towable with our current vehicle.

If any of you see one in a yard or barn and would pass that info on, I would appreciate it. (are you listening Pam?)

We live in So. Cal, but I would be willing to drive if the price was reasonable (not ebay)

Please let me know.

Dieter

kutzweb@yahoo.com

Condoluminum · 01-13-2006, 05:22 PM

There is an Argosy 20 in Tehachapi offered for sale on E-Bay, that may be a little large/heavy, but could work.. Sleeps 4, dry bath/shower, looked in reasonable condition in photo's, and bid price ~$4k yesterday... It's larger than a Minuet, but single axle, and not as heavy as equivalent Airstream...
Try E-Bay and search for "Argosy" and list in descending $$ value.

John McG

dkutz · 01-13-2006, 08:25 PM

Argosy's may be airstreams but to me they just aren't the same. I want to see a silver beauty in my driveway. Thanks though.

65CV · 01-13-2006, 08:45 PM

If you don't want eBay, you need to get lucky with your "found-in-the-field" request or you'll have to sit on the off eBay listings -- check them almost daily.

We found ours on Vintage Airstream Club's online classified last fall. The deal was significantly better than a nearly identical one that sold on eBay the same week. We were able to fully inspect it before the purchase but had to travel about 10 hours to do so.

Craig's list is another obvious source. I'm not sure how rvonline.com is, but you never know when the right one pops up.

Good luck. It may take a few months.

63GT

Airstoop · 01-13-2006, 09:14 PM

I saw one in RichardT's photos album, I am not sure if it is for sale or not. he seems to always have quite a few Airstreams. http://photos.yahoo.com/richtrich is where I saw it. Why not contact him and ask? I have been talking to him about his Globetrotter.

dkutz · 01-13-2006, 09:29 PM

thanks thats a nice trailer. I am sure its out of my teachers salary but it never hurts to ask. I tried Instant message but it didn't seem to work I will try again tomorrrow

plowboy · 01-13-2006, 10:54 PM

Don't limit yourself to one particular model. We ended up with a 1959 tradewind (24ft) when we were looking for a 21ft flying cloud etc.? The previous owner thought that it was a flying cloud, but once I saw the pics I could tell that it was longer.

Now we are so glad that we didn't end up with something smaller.
There are, however quite a few models manufactered ranging from 20ft to 25ft.
check the classified on the airstream club WBCCI

Jim Jarzabek · 01-14-2006, 07:55 AM

Not sure if this is available and there is no telephone number listed....
1966 Caravel in Seattle asking $3850.00
contact @ sale-124296199@craigslist.org

Good luck!

dkutz · 01-14-2006, 08:27 AM

thanks! I check craigslist all the time and missed that one. Looks like its got some creases in it, but hard to tell from the photos. Thanks for everyones help!

Dieter

Boondocker · 01-14-2006, 10:21 AM

I found mine on RV trader

Over59 · 01-14-2006, 12:26 PM

I have a 68 Caravel I will be selling in the spring but sooner is OK. If by the price is right you mean below market then I think you will be disappointed. There are pictures of it in my album.
All windows are GLASS. The following are new ( last two years) Full Axel replacement from Inland (pictures and post are on the forum), shocks, tires, wheels, converter, three way fridge, cork floor, all foam and fabric, batteries (2), electric jack, electric hook up with older Marinco 30amp cord, ceiling light lenses replaced with ones that are not dried out. New custom curtains from I believe its Ambrose? in Fla?
I am looking at a 29 footer and I am rebuilding a 59 so I could sell the 68, with or without a 1996 GMC 1500K ext cab sport bed clean 5.7 L truck which has had the 100,000 tune up (nearly a $1000), new brakes, new 4-WD converter. I got me a duramax but was planning and caring for the 96 like I was keeping it for another 5 years.

dkutz · 01-15-2006, 11:27 AM

We aren't limited to one model. However we are looking for a pre 1968 (weight) aluminum (not argosy) trailer under 20'. I would love to find one for a good price that needs work, that maybe has been sitting a while and needs TLC. We cannnot afford a restroed beauty nor can we restore a complete mess.

I will keep looking it will show up eventually...

**Stefrobrts** · 01-15-2006, 11:39 AM

Be patient, it took me about six months to find mine. More will come out of the woodwork in the spring as well. But when you find one, be ready to jump on it!

05ModPod · 01-15-2006, 12:33 PM

Hi Dkutz;

We have the 21' Globe Trotter - not much difference between it and the Caravel- you gain in the middle so more kitchen counter space.

We found the dinette layout the best for more useable space in a small trailer. When the table drops out of the way you vitually get two couches face to face - so everyone is happy.

We found ours on the Airstream Corp Classifieds for $4500 - we have put a fair bit into her so far and she was in "good" shape as opposed to many we have seen. Even our 61 was in worse shape and we paid half the above - so be prepared.

If we did it again - we would pay a little more to have a more functional trailer at the beginning - as restoring can be much more expensive than a bigger initial sticker price.

I find the classifieds here and on the VAC - people are just asking rediculous prices for their vintage units - anything over 15K should have some serious renos - with minimum all new running gear and new floor along with all appliances replaced with fully working units. Anyting less is a pie in the sky - and those selling are just waiting for the unsuspecting buyer to come along that has oodles of money.

Good Luck with your search

05ModPod · 01-15-2006, 01:32 PM

Here is a nice 63 Safari

Your side of the continent - not sure on the price range for you

But she seems to be in not bad shapr for a fixerupper. Touch up the wood replace a few hinges - some soft goods and you have a 3305 drywieght trailer to camp in. She looks like she has some dents and would not venture to take a guess on the running gear.

But buying these old ones - hind sight is always 20/20 number one if the frame is good then everything else should be secondary to getting the running gear in full or replaced order. Like building a house from the ground up. With the foundation being a joint combination of frame and running gear.

We knew the floor was toast in our 61 but wanted to make sure the frame was still good - so we had the PO drill a 3 inch hole right over the frame members in the worst water damage area to make sure the frame had not rotted through.

Although a big job you can get by with replacing portions of the floor - the rest is all cosmetic.

Appliances are next - as they can run you at least $1500-$3000 to replace all the systems on an old trailer. Why the fridge alone can run $1500 for a new one.

There are several other vintage trailers on this listing too that seem to be reasonable.

summerkid · 01-15-2006, 03:06 PM

I'll be selling a '62 Bambi very soon, but it doesn't really need any work so is definitely not the "lost-in-a-barn-for-decades" bargain that a lot of people assume is lying around everywhere if we only look hard enough. that's one reason for ebay, because that's where the customers with money go.

rebel beck · 01-15-2006, 03:21 PM

We found our Airstream here under the classifieds and I think we got a great deal, yes some prices on here are way out of the ballpark. The way I think about it they are vintage 30 or more years old there is always going to be something to do (alway's) just with any hobby. We drove 900 miles round trip to pick the trailor up. Have fun looking it took us months and get used to people telling you they have already sold it. It will pop up least expected, we bought ours over the phone 10 mins after he had posted here.

Good Luck,
Becky

Over59 · 01-15-2006, 04:09 PM

http://www.airstream.net/FAQ/FAQ_4.html#Restoring

dkutz · 04-10-2006, 10:51 AM

Still looking...any leads out there?

Condoluminum · 04-10-2006, 11:45 AM

Dieter-

Sorry it's taking so long, but keep looking at Vintage Airstream site ( http://www.airstream.net/classifieds/index ) and RVTraderonline, as well as classifieds here... They're out there, as someone once said famously in the movies, but there aren't many, and they don't stay on market for long... (Unless they are physical disasters and overpriced by a bunch..)

John McG