We paid $700.00 for our '72 Argosy. It looked absolutely horrible, and I was mentally measuring myself for a straightjacket on the way home with it. A couple of hours with a bucket of soapy water and a brush, and some carpet and touch-up paint, and it looks much more civilized. Only major thing it needs is an axle, I hope to rectify that this week.
We spoil our trailer, it has its own 25 acre farm, it lives there by itself, in a small barn. We go to visit it every week.
Terry
(in Florida)
Well, the factory 8 track player in my baby looks brand new and works like a charm! Top that one!
When we bought our '72, it still had the original tires on it...and they still held air, and decent tread, but towing it anywhere exept home with them was flirting with disaster, and they have been replaced.
Terry
I paid $2000.00 for my 1969 Sovereign 31', price included delivery to my yard. Even though I might spend upwards of $5,000.00 more luxuriating, this is a preferable investment to purchasing something new and tacky. Almost all trailers I have seen in the under 30G range I could afford are filled with plastic, and RV'esque upholesteries and accents. Where as mine when done will have enormous character of quality. I intend to upholster in leather and refinish all the natural wood interior with a gorgeous cherry stain and matching wood floors. I will spend countless hours working on this project, but I count that time as entertainment not expense. After all the only reason I bought this thing was because it looked like a fun and fulfilling project. I wasn't even in the market for a trailer or RV or any sort, just always loved the silver bullet look of the classic airstream. I am hoping to have it fixed up so nice with surround sound entertainment and LCD screen I might just sell my house and become a fulltimer myself. Keep ya' posted.
I really enjoy reading all the feedback from folks about their Airstreams. We bought an Avion in October for $1900. Not sure it was worth that much but man ya can't beat the 'coolness factor' of these babies.
My first AS cost $1350 but had been converted into a rolling darkroom. And for that price it came WITH all the coolest darkroom gear...2 Beseler 23CIIXL's, cutting board, safelights galore. The only things that needed work were new tires (standard it seems) and had to upgrade the wiring. Kept getting zapped even with aluminum!
2nd AS was gutted, cost $850 plus another $350 for 4 new tires and about another $150 in tag, title and misc. stuff. Just donated that one to Habitat for Humanity. They'll have a groovin hang out for those awesome volunteers. Just too much work for me after having a baby
So onward and upward! Having soooo much fun on this forum. Happy New Year to all and GOD BLESS !!!
I bought my airstream today. ($3000) A friend of mine finally sold me his...I had been after him for years to sell it to me. He wanted more but I couldn't swing it. He was going to put it on eBay but then decided it wasn't worth the hassle. I have been following the sales on eBay for Airstreams and trailers in general, so yes, I got a really good deal. This one would have brought over $5 grand easily. It is all original, and in good condition.
I have a 1973 VW camper, which I am sadly going to sell, so I can buy something to pull my airstream with. I've been reading about RV's, and going to RV shows for 10 years. I bought every RV How-To, RV Maintenance & Repair, and RV cookbook out there. What a collection! (Hence, RVNUTTY) Once I applied to sell RV's at Wheeler's in Las Vegas. The guy asked me what my credentials were, and I showed him my bag of books. Needless to say, I didn't get the job...he said I was too honest.
Never could afford a new one, but I enjoyed looking and I have a scrapbook full of pictures, and another box full of sales brochures. (Is there a spell check on here somewhere?) I should probably sell each one on eBay since they are collector's items by now. LOL
Anyway, back to my airstream. Tires are bad. Paid someone $50 to tow it five miles to my yard. One tire was flat upon arrival. The guy yelled at me cause I didn't know how to unhook it (electric hitch). I told him that's what I was paying him for! Anyway, between the two of us, we got it unhooked. (It took me half-an-hour just to find the plug in the rear. Everything is hidden so well!)
I'm treating another friend to dinner for checking out the heater/refrigerator/plumbing etc. The original owner said everything worked 10 years ago. Well, we know the electric hitch still works! LOL
I traded a restored LincolnMarkIV,71Caddy Limo (kept the 75Imperial for tow vehicle)for my first ARGOSY 26' trailer. I was moving south after a year working on a farm and wanted to retire for a year or two and enjoy the Florida coast.By the way, my dog picked it out and still thinks it's hers.
I bought my '97 Excella 34'er from a dealer for $25K. It had been on the lot for a while and didn't show very well. We just waited for the price to drop and then we low-balled an offer. We are very happy with our A/S.
Bought my 1959 Tradewind from a fellow in Arkansas. Paid $3,000 for the trailer but then spent $1,700 right away to get it towed to Arizona. Found it with help from my friend and fellow fly fisherman Brad from Phoenix. First thing I needed to do was get it ready for our move to Texas. (Just recently retired so now I will be able to devote some serious time to fix-up.) Mine was not a candidate for restoration. Too badly roughed up. Galley was a replacement and the entire front booth area had been cleared out. Tub was gone and the refrig was a 110 unit that had been force fit to the space with a hatchet and some wood filler. Had carpet glued to floor and half way up walls in front and also double bed area. We are still evaluating the direction for our fix-up but I am sure it will not be to original spec nor will it be cheap.
Our 26' AS Overlander cost $8000 brand new in 1967, and our local bank made its first RV loan [3 year term] ever with us. The model we bought in '96 cost 5 times more than the first one, and we could have had a 30 year term if we wanted. The first purchase was the most adventurous and daunting, but worth more than the money!
Ha, I'm the friend and fellow flyfisherman of 59TW0132. Paid $3500 for mine in Sept. of 2001 and easily have more than that in its refurbishment. I find it therapeutic and relaxing to work on it and enjoy using it even more.
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