What makes an Excella an Excella?

[MaraLindstro]

What are the characteristics in an Excella model and what's the difference between the 500 and 1000 models?

[dcasr]

I'm glad you asked the question. I have a 1990 Excella and it doesn't say 500 or 1000, but other than a nice sounding name, wonder what the specific characteristics are that give it that name.

You've waited a nearly a year for a response, sorry I don't have an answer.

[tinman1]

We previously owned a 1993 AS Classic Excella 1000 - I asked the same question. The response I received FWIW, at the time, I was told it was more of a marketing thing. Seems as best I can remember, the Excella package came with a few extra items, whereas if it were the Classic, these items would cost extra.
We now own a Classic, which has most if not all the items the Excella had. I don't think they offer the Excella now.

[wahoonc]

Waaaay back in the day...

It was all about marketing, you could get a basic model, and International or an Excella. Then the marketing department went nuts. I have an Excella II...go figure.

There were some differences in what came on the trailers as part of the upgraded names. They vary from year to year. Probably the most noticeable is the wider blue stripe on the Excella.

Aaron

[Aage]

You could get interesting and/or essential things like a doorbell, built-in vacuum cleaner, built-in drink blender near the sink, some had a generator, and so on.

Not to say that these features weren't available at some time on some other models, but if it was an Excella, it probably has at least some of those thingmabaubles.

[Taylormade]

Can't remember where I pulled this from, but it may prove useful.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by Taylormade

Can't remember where I pulled this from, but it may prove useful.

Funny thing is I didn't get any of that on my Excella II, so either I got ripped off, or marketing had something else in mind the year mine was made.

At one time the Excella trim was only available on the long trailers, then it showed up on some shorter ones.

No one knows what Excella lurks within the minds of the advertising department.

Aaron

[overlander63]

I know the original Excella is heavier, with higher capacity axles and double pane windows throughout. The original stripe was on a separate sheet of aluminum.
The very first Excellas were supposed to be limited production, with the Excella 500 limited to 500 units, and the Excella 1000 having 1000.

[PhilipKS]

To blur it all, my 1999 34' is badged as an Excella 1000 Classic. Go figure.

[HiHoAgRV]

My '91 says 'Airstream Classic Excella 1000'....from what I remember that means the original owner paid $xxxx extra for the logos that say 'Excella 1000'

[Silver Otter]

I seem to remember reading somewhere the Excella was the top of the line for a while. They gave some of ours the Classic badge as they made the transition to use only the tag Classic for the top models. We sure love ours.

[perryg114]

I have an 81 Excella II and I can't tell it has anything special about it. It still has the same crappy plastic coated plywood and plastic cabinets. The blue stripe is another maintenance item.

Perry

[PhilipKS]

On the issue of the stripe: Will it be blasphemous to remove it and not replace it, or replace it with a similar stripe they use today? I'm thinking of removing my faded Excella blues...

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by PhilipKS

On the issue of the stripe: Will it be blasphemous to remove it and not replace it, or replace it with a similar stripe they use today? I'm thinking of removing my faded Excella blues...

Many owners choose to paint the strips, which fixes the problem.

No decal lasts a long long time.

Andy

[4RXLA]

The original solid blue stripe used in the 70's was a textured vinyl sheet I believe. It can be removed. Mine was removed and the aluminum painted blue. The Excella 500 was the top of the line model in the 70's. They had all the bells and whistles to signify the height of luxury. Structurally, there is no difference from what I can tell. The interior skins and furnishings are the same, except the Excella 500 had a slightly different pattern of wallpaper used on laminated interior walls. Some of the things in my 77 that are unique are gold plated bathroom fixtures, glass bathroom light fixtures as opposed to plastic, safe deposit box, NuTone fixtures, chandelier in living area, Excella 500 wine glasses, doorbell, motorized TV antenna, built in vacuum cleaner, retractable power and water hose reels, and the blue stripe.I don't know how many of these items were optional on the other models? Vista view and stack windows, disc brakes and the mag wheels were optional on the other models and standard on the Excella. I can remember my dad being enamored with the brochure which showed the picture of the well to do couple dressed in formal attire in front of the tableclothed dining room table with the fine china and crystal table settings with candleabras and huge shrimp cocktails awaiting the dinner guests. In those days, the husband always looked about 10-20 years older than the wife....The more bells and whistles, the more things to repair.

[Skatiero]

Wow, Dougsale! I love those glasses! We have a 1989 Excella 1000 29' and we have a lot of those options.

[Aage]

Oh, just thought of something: the 1973 Excella had a grey waste tank, possibly the first regular production AS to have one.

So there.

[dennisv]

I don't know that I can provide a definite answer. My 1991 Excella 1000 Classic 29, bought new in 1991, came with blinds and drapes on all windows, matched bed and pillow covers, and throw pillows for the couch. Single pane windows, tinted gravel guards on the front windows. Battery powered tongue jack, air conditioner, nice wood trim and wood floor in the kitchen. All the standard stuff, charge cord, etc. My assumption was that the inside trim items were the extras. I'm glad it came that way, because it was my first RV, and I wouldn't have known what to add. I have replaced the air conditioner, but it is basically still as it came. I have had some of the drapes' cloth hangars replaced, as they tend to rot out.


Been very happy with it.