Americana Lost

[Frank's Trailer Works]

I first want to say that I did not do a search before I started this thread....

I have noticed adds for very sweet vintage unit for sale in England and Germany. They are generally all legacy trailers and have been very professionally restored. The thing is, they are in Europe. It seems that when ever I see adds for the real old units, such as the old Clippers, they are already in Europe. This leads to my question... Does this feel uncomfortable to anyone? I know we have many European autos here, but they were mostly manufactured for sale in the USA. They were built to American road standards. In Europe there are a different set of standards. The electrical supply alone must cause for a lot of work converting it to 240v.
Is it just my pompous American ego, or do others feel like a part of our heritage is slipping away when these old girls get on the boat to travel the pond? Does Thor manufacture units today that are exported to Europe? Is this another sign of how weak the dollar is? It must take a lot of cash to buy a trailer here, ship it over the pond, and get it to the road standards. Just wondering what others think about this.

[pilgrim]

My wife and I recently toured the AS factory in JC, OH. There were several AS sitting together that had been built there and were headed "across the pond". These were brand new ASs - so it's not just the old girls that are ending up over there. They are built to European standards and, I believe they told us, they would be finished once they arrived in Europe - depending upon their final desitnation. The folks over there would put the electricals and other locale specific final accoutrements in/on them.

Finally, I would say YES, it has a lot to do with the strenth (weakness) of the American dollar against the Euro and other financial instruments.

[Jim Clark]

The English probably feel the same about all the MG’S, Austin Healy’s, and other English sports cars. More English sports cars are in the US than in England, they were exported in huge numbers. A similar situation exists with Vintage Hollow State Ham gear. The Japanese have a affinity for old tube gear, it is not unusual to see Joe Walsh on ebay bidding on a rare radio to keep if from going overseas.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Most, not all, of those MG's, etc, have a left steering wheel... they were mostly made for an American market. My buddy, Jerry has a 48 Jag., it has a left steering wheel... I am just curious how folks feel about this. I realize we are a free capitalistic society and if you got the dough you get what you want.
And right on Joe Walsh! Putting those hard earned royalties to work...

[byamcaravanner]

I'd like to see them stay here too, but "if you got the bucks you get the trailer" just like it is here in the USA

Airstreaming in Europe

AirstreamEurope

Airforums thread: News from Europe

[overlander63]

I have owned several grey market cars over the years, and see nothing wrong with exporting a (relative) few overseas. Mr. Smythe or Herr Hildebrand should be able to own an Airstream if they are willing to pay for the conversion to European road standards.
For those that don't know, "grey market" refers to a vehicle that has been imported into North America by an individual.

[CanoeStream]

A timeless vintage product will always attract but something else is at play. Every week a new low is hit on dollar conversion -- latest is $1.47 to the euro. This makes US premium products cheaper to an overseas buyer. Look to national economic policies on this side of the water and congratulate other citizens of this globe for their good taste!

[cameront120]

Well, I think I'd rather see the trailers exported and restored than sitting vacant and unused or being demolished.

[brunoffrance]

Hi the Community...
Don't be afraid to see all new Airstreams going overeas ... They are sold the same price than yours in your USA but the prices are in Euro !!!!! Where is the good business in this ? Not for the new owners but for Thor inc certainly. We have not the A/S, half your price.
At this range of price, I can reassure you that they 'll not sale a lot in Europe.
Except the aluminum body that is unique for Airstream, the European travel trailers builders make better as many great interiors with small spaces and it 's what Europeans want . Prices are better too.
About vintage A/S, not many are on our old Europe... may be 30... see the map to get an idea....

Bruno.

[soldiermedic]

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

A timeless vintage product will always attract but something else is at play. Every week a new low is hit on dollar conversion -- latest is $1.47 to the euro. This makes US premium products cheaper to an overseas buyer. Look to national economic policies on this side of the water and congratulate other citizens of this globe for their good taste!

No doubt about it. When I listed my 56 Caravanner for sale I had a ton of emails about it from US buyers. This was restored by David Winick and the interior was done by an interior design firm. There was $34,000 invested in it. I was asking $24,000 but the US buyers were offering $11,000 tops. I received $20,000 cash from a buyer in England. The buyer also paid all shipping fees and export taxes. Did I feel good about it? No....but nobody else was paying.

Stong Euro means better deals for US sellers.

Steve

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Originally Posted by cameront120

Well, I think I'd rather see the trailers exported and restored than sitting vacant and unused or being demolished.

I think that is good point.

[2airishuman]

didn't someone here buy a bridge from london?

don't we have artifacts from all sorts of sacred places round the world?

we'll dig up our own relatives and native americans for a buck or 2....

and a/s is JUST a pile of metal and glass and wood and plastic and goo...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f341...ead-35473.html

the currency exchange makes for value trading right now, somewhere in the world.

but we had this benefit at one time too...

and folks were buying them (internationally) even before the euro, yen or gourd gained buying power.

nothing is lost by shipping old aluminum, rusty, broken windowed, aluminum things...

or even expertly restored rivet buckets...

but MUCH is gained.

they are travel trailers...

so let 'em travel.

classic cars like vettes, tangs, caddies, 50s convertibles, muscle cars and so on...

are regularly shipped world wide to collectors and fanatics....

good for them!

if someone wants an american classic ANYTHING good for them too, good for us! good for the world!

share the pie.

2air'

[tin sista]

So uh if I put Michigan up for sale on ebay nobody's got a problem with it right?

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

didn't someone here buy a bridge from london?

2air'

Yes it was London bridge and it moved to Arizona. The bridge everyone thinks is London Bridge is Tower Bridge. I did this from memory so it could be wrong.

jLONDON HOMESICK BLUES(Gary P. Nunn)Jerry Jeff WalkerAlso recorded by :David Allan Coe; Gary P. Nunn.Well, when you're down on your luck, and you ain't got a buck, in London you're a goner. Even London Bridge has fallen down, and moved to Arizona, now I know why. And I'll substantiate the rumor that the English sense of humor is drier than the Texas sand. You can put up your dukes, and you can bet your boots, that I'm leavin' just as fast as I can.

ust as fast as I can.

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by tin sista

So uh if I put Michigan up for sale on ebay nobody's got a problem with it right?

Nope, nada, I'm good with it.










Just kidding.

You folks in Michigan, you know we love you like our luggage!

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by tin sista

So uh if I put Michigan up for sale on ebay nobody's got a problem with it right?

that depends,

does it come with pie?

cherry pie?

2air'

[tin sista]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

that depends,

does it come with pie?

cherry pie?

2air'

Vernors, coney dogs, cherry pie, and hockey. I was kind of hoping the buyer would be a hockey fan...

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by tin sista

Vernors, coney dogs, cherry pie, and hockey. I was kind of hoping the buyer would be a hockey fan...

i'm ok with hockey...

as long as there is cherry pie.

or blue berry pie,

or apple pie,

or pie pie....

2air'

[Happycampers]

I juist got my Airstream Life today, they have 6 pages about an Airstream dealer in Germany. They just sold their first Airstream.

Let me tell you something about Thor and any co. that is out there to make money. They are going to sell to who ever has the money to buy. They don't care, they are in the business to make money.

[remcolent]

The rate for the $ makes it a little bit less expencive to get a airstream overhere.
Afew day's ago I replyed to a post and gave a calculation that a 10K $ airstream, is around 23K $ when it is ready and licensed overhere.
OK it is a great american icon so are some of the vintage american cars.
But most of them are not a one of a kind.
How about our van gogh and vanmeer painting's
When shopping for my first airstream I have seen the asking price go up more than 25% becouse I was in europe.
on the last airstream I bought the OBO price became fixed price .
Why should airstream's only be enjoid in america or by american's
The longer I type the more P%$#& Iget. better to stop now.