Greetings Mike!
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I did see one post here mentioning that 7.3 meter Argosys were rare ... is that so?
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I am very curious about the actual production numbers for all of the Minuets, especially the 7.3 Metre or 24-foot. There have been any number of rumors regarding production especially on the 24-foot Minuet - - the most recent one being that only one was produced per dealer (so far as I know this is strictly a rumor). I have heard reports of three of the 24-foot Minuets in the greater Chicago area and actually had the opportunity to see one at the Midwest Forums Rally this spring. Regardless of other issues, the Minuet was a three-year series (at least as far as my literature would indicate) so there aren't going to be a tremendous number of them runnning around.
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Were these one axle or two? Any idea of the approximate weight?
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The tandem axle 7.3 Metre Minuet had an empty weight of 3,820 pounds (without options, fluids, or the owner's personal possessions), and a hitch weight of 510 pounds (empty). The actual weight with options and a reasonable amount of personal possessions, I would expect the 7.3 Metre to weigh in at approximately 5.000 pounds with a hitch weight approaching 625 pounds. My 6.0 Metre Minuet weighs in at 3,200 pounds (loaded ready for vacation) with a hitch weight of 520 pounds - - empty weight for my 6.0 Metre were 2,450 pounds with a hitch weight of 395 pounds.
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I've also read that some Argosys used an aluminum/foam sandwich flooring. Was that standard, or did it only appear on certain models?
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At this point, I am aware of the aluminum composite flooring being found only in the 6.0 Metre Minuets. I don't believe that I have seen or heard any reports from owners of 6.7 Metre or 7.3 Metre Minuets regarding the flooring material utilized. The factory literature that I have makes no mention of flooring materials for any of the Minuets - - other than mentioning that carpeting was standard in each of the Minuet coaches.
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I've also seen that "Minuets" were 8 inches narrower than "standard" Argosys. Does anyone know where the 7.3 meter model fit in those lines?
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Yes, according to all of the factory literature that I have all three Minuets shared the 7.0' width. The outside height from ground (without air conditioner) is listed as 8' 5.5". Interior height of 6' 4". The hitch height is stated at 18".
Some other things that you might want to be aware of as you look at the coach would include: The side windows are Acrylic - - they have held up very well on my coach, but not all have been so fortunate. The front wrap around window is Herculite Safety Glass and is identical (other than a narrower center section) to the wrap around window assembly used in Airstreams. The OEM refrigerator was a 6.0 cubic foot Dometic. There likely won't be an entrance step built-in - - evidently the Minuets came from the factory with an aluminum step stool to serve the purpose (I purchased my Minuet from the original owner and this step stool was included with the trailer). All of the furniture (and cabinetry) is vinyl-clad aluminum with plastic laminate tambour in the roof lockers as well as medicine chest and cabinet below kitchen sink. While the gray water tank was standard in the Minuet be prepared for the likely circumstance that the shower will not be connected to the gray water tank - - both are at the same level on top of the floor - - the gray water tank is found in the streetside corner of the rear wardrobe.
There are two basic variables in the 7.3 Metre floorplan according to my literature. The first is the bedroom - - center twin (a twin bed on either side of the center hall) or center double (a pull-out double bed on the curbside with a wardrobe/vanity unit on the streetside). The second is the front arrangement - - either a front lounge with Credenza Table (mounted on curbside wall next to door) - - or a front dinette. There were five interior decorating schemes - - Argosy Blue, Argosy Brown, Argosy Red, Argosy Green, or Argosy Orange.
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Oh yeah, the bottom line: How much should one of these cost in good/very good condition?
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It is very difficult to estimate values on a coach as it varies to a degree with geographic location as well as the supply. You might try the link below in helping establish a reasonable price for the coach:
Vintage Airstream Price Vs. Condition
Good luck with your investigation!
Kevin