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ALANSD · 12-01-2003, 09:58 AM

here is a brief update from Airstream regarding the new "Classic".
Drawings are not yet available for public view.
I am hoping to see a Motorhome factory event when the new one is made available for viewing to the public.
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Re: Classic MH

Alan,
The design process for the new Classic Motorhome (name TBD) is well under way. It is proving most challenging to design a product that resembles the original (but updated), has the storage demanded by modern motorhomers, and is produceable. But we're working out these issues and are confident that we'll end up with a beautiful rig!

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wahoonc · 12-01-2003, 10:50 AM

Wonder if it would be possible to graft a 25' Safari onto one of the Freighliner chassis?

Aaron

wb13798 · 12-01-2003, 12:40 PM

fyi
mercedes owns freight liner. my son had freight liner tractors with mercedes engines and they stayed in the shop. he sued and got a settelment manufacture of your choice he took mack now volvo bought mack it is a vicious circle. depends on which mercedes engine you get.

ALANSD · 12-05-2003, 01:12 PM

Correction on the update from above.
Evidently the drawings are being finalized in the next week or so, and then Airstream engineers will be pondering just how to build what it called a "challenging" project. I am sure we all will be interested to see what they have come up with.

Silvertwinkie · 12-05-2003, 01:21 PM

I know I loved the old Classic MH class. I hope they bring it back. I know the boxes are king, but there was or is just something about the twinkie design in a motorhome. They should have never left the design IMHO.

Eric

ALANSD · 12-06-2003, 07:13 AM

the RV markey is different today than in rhe early 90's when the Classic went away. Probably it was too expensive to make sense for prduction at that time. Other manufacturers have been bough out a number of times, and it was only in the last few years that the RV industry has seemed to have a big revival...9/11 helped as I understand it, in a twisted way....as it seems so many more americans are valuing their family time and staying in this country for their vacations and such. It is too bad it took that awful event to stimulate it, but I am glad some good came from that.
As we all know traveling the highways you see so many Rv's , and the sales are up huge percentages in the past two to three years especially. I would bet places like Camping World are really coining it in.
Maybe now the market will bear the cost of a sharp looking and very different rig.
And one that doesn't look like your daddy's motorhome.

jpurdy · 12-07-2003, 09:18 PM

in my trips through Atlanta I have seen a couple of the Freightliner vans and they are rated as 3500's and are marked as Dodge Powered.
I have seen one from middle Ga. set up as a passenger van and hauling children and it was rated as a 3500 but no marking as to driveline.

Is the Mercedes onl;y offered in the Airstream ??
when I looked at the web site it didn't indicate the types of drivelines available

ALANSD · 12-08-2003, 08:51 AM

I have seen 3 versions now of the Mercedes powered unit. One is featured this month in Motorhome magazine. Looks sharp, list for $69,995.
22mpg rated with the diesel. Nice appointments inside also.

59toaster · 12-08-2003, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jpurdy
in my trips through Atlanta I have seen a couple of the Freightliner vans and they are rated as 3500's and are marked as Dodge Powered.
I have seen one from middle Ga. set up as a passenger van and hauling children and it was rated as a 3500 but no marking as to driveline.

Is the Mercedes onl;y offered in the Airstream ??
when I looked at the web site it didn't indicate the types of drivelines available

I went over to the freightliner site to check the drivetrains available as well and I came accross an interesting Truck. It's called the Argosy
The US Sprinter web site appears to be down so I could not confirm driveline.
I went to the
another site that has the sprinter on it. It does list a Gas engine and it does list several diesel options. Not sure what is offered on the US models after seeing that. This site is in German only. You can fight your way through it and get an idea. www.babblefish.com could translate.

jpurdy · 12-08-2003, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 59toaster

I went over to the freightliner site to check the drivetrains available as well and I came accross an interesting Truck. It's called the Argosy
.

the "Freightliner Argosy optional staircase-style steps" feature was interesting.

maznblu · 12-08-2003, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ALANSD
Correction on the update from above.
Evidently the drawings are being finalized in the next week or so, and then Airstream engineers will be pondering just how to build what it called a "challenging" project. I am sure we all will be interested to see what they have come up with.

I hope one of the challenges the engineers will address is the addition of a turboed diesel to the engine line. Or even better, a diesel/alternative fuel engine. That would make the new Classic a real keeper and not obsolete even engine-wise in 30+ years.

Might also persuade me to get a mh mortgage and become a full-timer!! Now would that be hard to take?