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davidz71 · 11-10-2005, 09:49 PM

While camping at Cheatham Dam Lock A near Ashland City, TN., I ran into this young woman with dog and Avion. I thought it was an Airstream until I got closer.

StingrayL82 · 11-10-2005, 09:52 PM

Good looking lady! The trailer and dog aren't bad either.

Frederic

davidz71 · 11-10-2005, 10:11 PM

She is attractive and likes to camp. She was very friendly and sharp as a tack.

balrgn · 11-11-2005, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidz71

She is attractive and likes to camp. She was very friendly and sharp as a tack.

That rig looks pretty clean, is she restoring it? It amazes me what you can come across out there! Did you get the year?

ALANSD · 11-11-2005, 05:46 AM

so what was it an Avion? Does look like it could cleaned up and look awfully nice.

balrgn · 11-11-2005, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALANSD

so what was it an Avion? Does look like it could cleaned up and look awfully nice.

Hey, I found a pretty cool link, all kind of Vintage Campers!

http://www.airstream.dk/hist.htm

Silvertwinkie · 11-11-2005, 06:06 AM

Those little red numbers....are the WBCCI numbers? If so, how could an Avion join WBCCI?

ALANSD · 11-11-2005, 06:39 AM

great link, you have to love a Woody towing a vintage Airstream or SOB. It is just too much to take!

safari57 · 11-11-2005, 06:44 AM

I believe Avion also has a club similar to Airstream and numbering system. Owners are as passionate about their trailers as we are. Nice units, seemed to follow the same path as Silver Streaks and Silver Streams to a more square shape in later years and are still being made. I think they started in '55 or '56. Quality is good but the one's I looked at were all quite a bit heavier than similar year (vintage) Airstreams. Barry

overlander63 · 11-11-2005, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safari57

Nice units, seemed to follow the same path as Silver Streaks and Silver Streams to a more square shape in later years and are still being made. Barry

Avion exited the RV market around 1997, when they discontinued their fiberglass-sided fifth wheels.

85MH325 · 11-11-2005, 07:22 AM

I've been in lots of Avions and Silver Streaks over the years. I really liked the exterior looks, especially when they still had the gold anodized bands around them, but the interiors were always like a cave inside. Not enough windows that were too small, dark woods, dark carpets and a mediterranean-style to the cabinetry. I always preferred the light and airy interiors of the Airstreams that were always of a more "mid-century" or danish-modern feel.

Roger

overlander63 · 11-11-2005, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85MH325

I've been in lots of Avions and Silver Streaks over the years. I really liked the exterior looks, especially when they still had the gold anodized bands around them, but the interiors were always like a cave inside. Not enough windows that were too small, dark woods, dark carpets and a mediterranean-style to the cabinetry. I always preferred the light and airy interiors of the Airstreams that were always of a more "mid-century" or danish-modern feel.

Roger

The lighter colors tend to make a small area seem larger. I suppose if someone really wanted to, they could refinish the interior woods with a lighter tone.

wahoonc · 11-11-2005, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

Avion exited the RV market around 1997, when they discontinued their fiberglass-sided fifth wheels.

That was after they had been sucked dry by Fleetwood. From my readings there were some serious structural issues with the Avion 5'vers. The Avion club was called the Avion Calvacade IIRC.

Aaron

davidz71 · 11-11-2005, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALANSD

so what was it an Avion? Does look like it could cleaned up and look awfully nice.

Alan,
It is indeed an Avion. I'm not sure but her original Avion nameplate may have been a decal. She had penciled in the word Avion and part of a decal was left. The plate identified it as an Avion but I do not remember which year.

AgZep · 11-11-2005, 03:47 PM

We've seen oodles of Avions in southern New Mexico in the last few weeks. We parked next to one a couple of days ago. The owner came over and eyed my Equal-I-Zer hitch pretty closely, then took off without saying a word.

As for mechanicals, it appears that they have a more typical spring and shock suspension than the elegant Airstream Henschen (spelling?) axle system.

**Action** · 11-14-2005, 03:03 PM

Can those things shine up like an Airstream?

I have only seen dull finishes on Avions.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

lundfog · 11-14-2005, 03:34 PM

First trip out in my scuzzy '64 Safari, I was parked right behind a nice big shiny Avion. I got to talking with the owner and remarked how nice his unit looked. He said "You've got the good one, this POS has been back to the factory 3 times and it still leaks!" I still have mine 12 years later and it still does a good job for me every Summer!

overlander63 · 11-14-2005, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Action

Can those things shine up like an Airstream?

I have only seen dull finishes on Avions.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

No. They have a kind of anodized finish that precludes being polished. At least that is how we can tell the difference between a clean Avion, and a dirty Airstream...