Help with Airsteam funeral coach

[FC270]

Hello Group,
my first post & need help. I have been looking for an Airstream trailer for some time. Just waiting for the right one to come along. Then this Airstream Motorhome comes my way. It's a 1984 Airstream FC270, 16 passenger Funeral Coach with only 3,551 miles! Fantastic condition & always garaged. It is a gas 454(?) Chevy engine. This is not really for me unless the floor plan can be changed to a more basic traditional setup. Is this easily done & how available are the parts ie bed, fridge, cabinets ect. What might total cost run, rough idea? I am not handy & will have to have someone do the work. I may also buy it to resell. Is there much of a market for these? If so, what is the price range? I have never seen on of these coaches before. They want $8,000, good or bad price? Thanks in advance for any information. Best, Jim

[flyfisher]

This may be the same unit that was listed on Ebay awhile back. As I recall the price was lower when I put in my offer, but ever after I think it got mor bid.

[FC270]

I am not sure about that. This is part of an estate sale. One owner & still located at the funeral home. If it was one with 3,500 miles & from upstate NY, then maybe it could have been the same. Do you remember what that one had brought? Did it meet reserve?

[flyfisher]

I may be dead wrong, and yours is another one.

Before I replied I should have been more a wake.

Do a search on this forum of "funeral". You'll find enough to make you think you've died and gone to heaven.

I would do this myself, but whenever this subject comes up, I get a tickle in my throat and can't stop coffin.

[silverhawk]

Wow! What a way to go out... on the road, camping.

[funkill]

Originally Posted by flyfisher

I may be dead wrong, and yours is another one.

Before I replied I should have been more a wake.

Do a search on this forum of "funeral". You'll find enough to make you think you've died and gone to heaven.

I would do this myself, but whenever this subject comes up, I get a tickle in my throat and can't stop coffin.

Oh - that was bad .....

[nairnchyz]

I wanted to make a reply after everyone is done coffin, is more awake, or wondering if they were dead wrong, or gone to heaven !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Actually and seriously - there is a funeral firm in Alberta (Canada)that I believe introduced this concept to their families when A/S first manufactured this coach. I also understand they upgraded in recent years and now have a tour bus (similar size to Greyhound) style coach in their fleet that was converted to transport families, casket, flowers, etc.
No doubt there are US firms using the same concept today.
Bob

[DanB]

I'd kill to have a funural coach to covert.....

[PeeWee]

Twin bed coffins?

[ts8501]

Please, stop the dead jokes, you're killing me!

[DanB]

You're right. We should just bury this one.

[n2916s]

I think that the asking price coupled with the $$$ to convert to a traditional Airstream type interior would leave you with a very low mileage, very expensive 24 year old classic. It will be especially pricey if you indeed pay someone to do the interior work. Not too mention the appliances......

I'd keep looking for a good trailer.

mike

[3 Dog Nite]

I'm a big fan of MH's & would love to have this rig. If you decide not to purchase, please PM me with it's location So I can come running with cash in hand. Ricky

[jump]

You'll have to strip it to the skeleton...look for body parts...internal organs...

I'm dieing to see if you can bring it back to life...

you should think gravely before going over to the other side...

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by FC270

Hello Group,
my first post & need help. I have been looking for an Airstream trailer for some time. Just waiting for the right one to come along. Then this Airstream Motorhome comes my way. It's a 1984 Airstream FC270, 16 passenger Funeral Coach with only 3,551 miles! Fantastic condition & always garaged. It is a gas 454(?) Chevy engine. This is not really for me unless the floor plan can be changed to a more basic traditional setup. Is this easily done & how available are the parts ie bed, fridge, cabinets ect. What might total cost run, rough idea? I am not handy & will have to have someone do the work. I may also buy it to resell. Is there much of a market for these? If so, what is the price range? I have never seen on of these coaches before. They want $8,000, good or bad price? Thanks in advance for any information. Best, Jim

After reading several other posters humor, I think you deserve a straight forward response. First this coach is great, but to fix it as a standard moho is not going to be inexpensive especially if you have to hire out the work.

Secondly it is 24 years old even if it is "cherry" - they just don't make the stuff you want, you'll have to have many things hand crafted and that gets EXPENSIVE.

Thirdly - price. SERIOUSLY consider a new or nearly new unit. There are Several nice ones on the classifieds right now. Benefits?:

1. Camp tomorrow, not next year.
2. It's likely that you'll end up spending less - and not having to wait for months while your old, but undeniably cool funeral coach is remodeled.
3. I'd be very surprised if you could get it completely redone for less than $30K, and there are a lot of GENTLY used Airstreams available for $38K.
4. If you choose to go new, you can probably get 20% off list.

Oh and lastly, if you do pass over this one, let someone else know where it is. For a "hands on" restorer, this is a drooler!

Paula

[FC270]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. You had me howling. All that reading was something I could really sink my teeth into. Sound advice on the cost to convert, that is what I thought. I'll keep looking for that vintage Bambi that some little old lady owns. I may still buy it for the hell of it. I am an eBay platinum powerseller, do you think this would do well there? What is the market price for this? Thanks again for the laughs. It's a fun group... Jim

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by FC270

Thanks everyone for all the replies. You had me howling. All that reading was something I could really sink my teeth into. Sound advice on the cost to convert, that is what I thought. I'll keep looking for that vintage Bambi that some little old lady owns. I may still buy it for the hell of it. I am an eBay platinum powerseller, do you think this would do well there? What is the market price for this? Thanks again for the laughs. It's a fun group... Jim

It's worth what someone will pay for it. I think $8k is reasonable - not fantastic but reasonable. This forum already has one other funeral coach that was converted to sell golf clubs, etc. to high-end golf courses. Using this uniquely formatted coach as a commercial vehicle would probably be a more "natural" conversion... but that in fact narrows the buying pool. And of course there are a few buyers who will just be creeped out by the fact that it carried dead bodies. So... selling it is a gamble. "Do you feel lucky? Well do you, punk?"

You might try to negotiate a semi-modest finder's fee from one of the other posters and apply that to your purchase of a trailer.

Paula

[moosetags]

First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

Even though this unit is in excellent condition, the cost of converting it to a camper may end up costing more than the thing will be worth when you are done.

If you have the opportunity, we would really like to see some pictures of it.

Brian

[FC270]

Thanks again everyone. I think I may go the finder's fee route. I should be able to post some photos of it tomorrow.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

you should be able to sell it easily a lot of people are dying to get it.