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Old 04-07-2018, 04:34 PM   #1
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1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond , Kentucky
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The last thing I expected to find.....

....while driving through the Daniel Boone National Forest in Estill County Kentucky was an Argosy motorhome on the side of the road

Aside from being extremely filthy it seems to be in surprisingly good shape. I'm not sure how long it's been there but I'm betting on several months or more. We've had so much rain in the last couple of months or so I would have expected to see some pronounced wheel tracks but they aren't there. The tracks that are there are what I would expect to see if the ground had been dry when it made it's way to the side of the road.

I know it's not a 74 based on the rear tail light housing. 75 was the first year for this style. I might go back tomorrow to check it out a little closer and see if I can get some pictures of the inside through the windows.

It would appear the last time it was licensed was in 1992! I'm thinking someone hauled it out of the woods sometime in the recent past.

Ignore the date in the video, I haven't bothered to set the date in the recorder.

https://youtu.be/soyT-XG-4iY

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1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
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Old 04-07-2018, 04:57 PM   #2
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1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Hillbilly Hollywood (Nashville) , Tennessee
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$0.25/lb maybe????
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Old 04-07-2018, 06:06 PM   #3
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Looks like everything is all there, access doors, locks and such, but I hate to see vehicles parked on grass; it would be good to get her off the grass before spring.

Lots of great parts if she can't be saved.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony
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Old 04-08-2018, 02:07 AM   #4
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1975 20' Argosy 20
Chestfield , Kent
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Isuzusweet View Post
Looks like everything is all there, access doors, locks and such, but I hate to see vehicles parked on grass; it would be good to get her off the grass before spring.

Lots of great parts if she can't be saved.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony
Almost too complete to value it this way but, the rear panos retail for $2500 a set (normally $1000 a set used), 3 x 30in passenger side sliders (which retail at $1000 complete, and go for $500 a set used), the pair of cockpit sliders, the windscreens plus the other trim, bumpers etc, balanced against the cost/time of striping and disposing of the scrap?
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Old 04-08-2018, 09:14 AM   #5
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Richmond , Kentucky
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Quote:
Originally Posted by martin300662 View Post
Almost too complete to value it this way but, the rear panos retail for $2500 a set (normally $1000 a set used), 3 x 30in passenger side sliders (which retail at $1000 complete, and go for $500 a set used), the pair of cockpit sliders, the windscreens plus the other trim, bumpers etc, balanced against the cost/time of striping and disposing of the scrap?
Yeah, there's a lot of hard to find bits sitting there on the side of the road.

A friend of mine ran the plate and it turns out it's registered to a 91 white Ford motorhome, sounds like somebody switched plates to be able to drive it at some point

He tried running the vin but since it's not the newer 17 digit long number it comes back invalid.
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1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
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Old 04-08-2018, 09:22 AM   #6
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1974 20' Argosy 20
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I went back this morning to get the Chevy vin number and the Airstream number. It's definitely a 75 Argosy. The window latches are definitely a mixed bag. The front passenger side cockpit window has the newer style latch while the driver side has the older style latch!

The side slider right behind the passenger cockpit seat also has the newer style of latch while the middle and rear side sliders have the older style as found in my 74.

The gas tank is huge compared to my original 74 tank. This one has to be at least 50 gallons or more.

The entry door wasn't locked so I opened it and stuck my camera inside to get a couple of pictures. This thing almost definitely had until recently been parked back in the forest. It's definitely worn but is in surprisingly unmolested condition for it's age. One other thing I noticed is the front valance doesn't have the air scoop like my 74 does. Makes me wonder if the scoop was only put on the 74 model year Argosies.

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rad
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Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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Old 04-08-2018, 12:03 PM   #7
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Unless you can identify the owner (if one exists) it will likely wind up at a govt. auction or wrecker yard auction. It's a shame. I hope you can find a way to get it. I would start with the owner of that Ford Motorhome tag, if your friend will share the info.
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Old 04-08-2018, 12:18 PM   #8
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Too bad you can not claim salvage rights like an abandoned boat.
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Old 04-08-2018, 12:40 PM   #9
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1960 24' Tradewind
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First thing I would do is get local law enforcement involved. This could have been stolen or the demise of a travelling family. Now that the value of just the parts are apparent, someone may just help themselves to the parts, not good. It's really not normal for someone to just leave a motorhome out like this.

Over this Easter weekend 2018, someone just came to my house, hooked up to my 1960s 24' Airstream and drove off with it. It was to be a restoration project for when I retire. I owned it since 1991 and it had not been moved since. Pictures are on my profile.
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Old 04-08-2018, 01:04 PM   #10
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1975 20' Argosy 20
Chestfield , Kent
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkahler View Post
The side slider right behind the passenger cockpit seat also has the newer style of latch while the middle and rear side sliders have the older style as found in my 74.
They definitely changed the window latch type during 1975. philUK's 20ft rear-bath has the new type, Bella the old, maybe the change happened during the construction of this unit!
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Old 04-08-2018, 01:13 PM   #11
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1975 20' Argosy 20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vegas Baby View Post
First thing I would do is get local law enforcement involved. This could have been stolen or the demise of a travelling family. Now that the value of just the parts are apparent, someone may just help themselves to the parts, not good. It's really not normal for someone to just leave a motorhome out like this.

Over this Easter weekend 2018, someone just came to my house, hooked up to my 1960s 24' Airstream and drove off with it. It was to be a restoration project for when I retire. I owned it since 1991 and it had not been moved since. Pictures are on my profile.
These motorhome really are not anywhere near as economic to part-out as a trailer. Even an early 24ft has a curb weight around 8000lb and they are nearly 11ft high, so tow rates are high. Plus forget getting aluminum scrap values as half the curb weight is the P30 chassis and engine, and another big chunk is the scrap interior, if you are lucky you can find someone that you can pay to take away. It cost me $1400 to get a 28ft shell minus windows scrapped.

Buying one as a parts donor, if you need the parts and would be buying them anyway, is one thing; putting in the effort (vs return) is another thing.
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Old 04-08-2018, 02:26 PM   #12
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I'd totally take my 310 plates, get in her and drive her back to Canada right now! We'd make it for sure.

Are there any house around you could knock on their door and inquire; or is that tactic not advisable in Kentucky.

Brad is interested. Seriously through, I am too, but she'd be in for a 5.2L Isuzu turbo diesel swap in a heartbeat.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony
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Old 04-08-2018, 04:28 PM   #13
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There's life left in that there rig!
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Old 04-08-2018, 04:34 PM   #14
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Most of the metal recycling facilities in the Nashville TN area will not take RV's of any type. Too much wood, insulation and other products in RV's that the metal recycling facilities are not primary in handling or recycling.

Getting RID of an old RV can sometimes be much more difficult that you would imagine!
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Old 04-09-2018, 06:58 AM   #15
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1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond , Kentucky
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Quote:
Originally Posted by martin300662 View Post
These motorhome really are not anywhere near as economic to part-out as a trailer. Even an early 24ft has a curb weight around 8000lb and they are nearly 11ft high, so tow rates are high. Plus forget getting aluminum scrap values as half the curb weight is the P30 chassis and engine, and another big chunk is the scrap interior, if you are lucky you can find someone that you can pay to take away. It cost me $1400 to get a 28ft shell minus windows scrapped.

Buying one as a parts donor, if you need the parts and would be buying them anyway, is one thing; putting in the effort (vs return) is another thing.
If I was the betting type I'd bet that someone pulled it out of the woods and towed it to the side of the road and abandoned it. I can't decide whether I want to pursue the Argosy or not.

Getting it out of the mountains where it's at will require a roll off type transport and the cost would likely be in the hundreds of dollars. If I remember right hauling Peanut 5 miles on a roll back cost $150. I'm guessing to get the Argosy off the mountain to my place (25 or so miles) would be in the $500 to $1000 category.

I'll probably call the Sheriff if for no other reason than to find out what happens to vehicles abandoned like this.

Brad
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1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
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Old 04-09-2018, 07:15 AM   #16
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They definitely changed the window latch type during 1975. philUK's 20ft rear-bath has the new type, Bella the old, maybe the change happened during the construction of this unit!
I would be really surprised if it turned out the latches currently in the coach weren't there when it was manufactured.
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1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
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Old 04-09-2018, 07:18 AM   #17
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I'd totally take my 310 plates, get in her and drive her back to Canada right now! We'd make it for sure.

Are there any house around you could knock on their door and inquire; or is that tactic not advisable in Kentucky.

Brad is interested. Seriously through, I am too, but she'd be in for a 5.2L Isuzu turbo diesel swap in a heartbeat.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony
Tony, you "might" make it to the bottom of the mountain but I doubt you'd get much farther, even with a new battery

There are two homes that I know of within about 1/2 mile of where it's parked. I had thought about stopping and asking but I also value my hide and so far have opted to gaze from afar

If you're looking for an Argosy to hot rod this would be the one
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1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
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Old 04-09-2018, 07:19 AM   #18
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1974 20' Argosy 20
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Originally Posted by vintageracer View Post
Most of the metal recycling facilities in the Nashville TN area will not take RV's of any type. Too much wood, insulation and other products in RV's that the metal recycling facilities are not primary in handling or recycling.

Getting RID of an old RV can sometimes be much more difficult that you would imagine!
This is pretty much what's been going through my mind. My guess is whoever pulled it out of the woods didn't want to pay for disposal.
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1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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Old 04-09-2018, 07:23 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by Vegas Baby View Post
First thing I would do is get local law enforcement involved. This could have been stolen or the demise of a travelling family. Now that the value of just the parts are apparent, someone may just help themselves to the parts, not good.
I've been talking to friend who is a police officer in a neighboring county.

Quote:
It's really not normal for someone to just leave a motorhome out like this.
You might be surprised at what is considered normal. Just depends on where you live.

Quote:
Over this Easter weekend 2018, someone just came to my house, hooked up to my 1960s 24' Airstream and drove off with it. It was to be a restoration project for when I retire. I owned it since 1991 and it had not been moved since. Pictures are on my profile.
Ouch. Hopefully law enforcement will be able to track it down.
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1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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Old 04-09-2018, 09:32 AM   #20
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1975 24' Argosy 24
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If anyone needs a "parts buggy" for this project I still have my 1975 24' Argosy W/55K miles for sale. See pictures @ post "1975 Argosy update" by MaxD dated 06-05-2017. Any reasonable offer considered. Located in Ohio 44691. Feel free to contact me at dv1505@hotmail.com. Thanks MaxD
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