Was there an Argosy Luxury model?

[Rick F]

I've been emailing a guy about a 78 Argosy that he says is a Luxury edition that came loaded from the factory.. However, I can't find anything in the literature on the Airstream site indicating they even offered such a beast -- which of course does not mean someone did not order one fully loaded. Anyway, just curious..

[DanielB]

They were all luxury models.

[DKB_SATX]

There were just "Argosy" models, but of course you could order options. Here are the floor plans from Airstream. I didn't see a list of standard specs, but at that point it was still the only motorhome Airstream was building so I'm guessing they were well equipped to start with.

[Rick F]

I figured.. I'll assume it just means that most available options were accounted for at time of ordering from the factory.. BTW -- the options/standard features sheet is on the same forum but not necessarily for the '78'.. Don't recall off the top of my head.

[Rick F]

So I got some photo's of the prospective rig -- for background, it's a 1978 28' Argosy.. The current owner (CO) is selling it for $3500 -- he bought it last year for $6000 but indicated that something changed in his family situation and it's just been sitting since. He also indicated that it'd been driven about 100 miles over the past year since acquiring it. He's going to have the existing fuel removed and fresh fuel put in. When a local mechanic was working it over when he first bought it, the mechanic was pleased with the overall mechanical condition at the time, but it's been sitting in a damp/rainy climate for the past year and moss has started to grow on the exterior (which you can see in the photos -- he's sure it will come off with a wash).. I'm supposed to get more pictures later today perhaps after its given a bath and cleanup. I believe the CO is being honest with me. Anything you all can glean from the attached photos?

Some highlights of the features :

• Rear bath model
• Almost new tires
• Tow package
• after purchase, a complete tuneup was done locally -- all fluids changed
• 43k original miles
• Every service record available since day one
• clear title
• needs new carpet
• needs new couch (padding/fabric)??
• needs good cleaning
• water heater has a crack (not sure if it's leaking or ??)
• no rust
• new alternator installed last summer
• key is stuck in the ignition so the battery drains

IF I were to get this rig, I'd need to drive it ~1300 miles home.. I'm a bit leary of the thought of driving it home after it's been sitting for the past year and the thought of it leaving us stranded -- IF we even get that far should I bother even trying to drive it home or should I try to rent a 2-wheeled dolly and see if I can drag it behind my '96 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup -- if it can even tow such a beastie.. ? Luckily my mother lives only a few hours west of it's location and we could initially drive to her place and see how it behaves and go from there -- at least I'd have a decent collection of tools and whatnot at my disposal if something should need tinkering/replacement.

Also -- for a rig of this size/condition, what do you think it's worth? Is it worth $3500 or ??

[vinstream]

I would say that it's an ok price. It does not have the rap-around-windows in the back (because of rear bathroom floor plan) witch Argosy made so famous they ended up showing up on Airstreams. It looks all original but it also looks like you need to fully restore it! My guess is, it needs new outside paint job, new engine, and all the mechanical properly needs updating or replacement! If you think that at that price and looking at the pictures you are going to camp in it right away be fare warned! I hope that helps... Good luck!

[Rick F]

Thanks.. I am looking for something fairly turnkey -- not something that's going to be a 6 month project.. I've got enough of those at home already..

I'll passively keep an eye on this one but will keep looking..

[eubank]

Humm. I wonder if maybe Airstream did with the last Argosys what MG did with their final models: Take every available special part they had sitting around the factory and install them on those models. (MG called those last vehicles the Limited Edition or LE models.)

Lynn

[Rick F]

could be.. I'm not exactly sure how much knowledge the CO has about this rig as he's only owned it ~1 year.. I'll have to see if he knows who the PO's were.. Not sure if this is really worth it in the end though -- particularly if it's got any sort of water damage or has had frozen plumbing since it's in Oregon where it can freeze -- haven't asked about that yet.

[Stefrobrts]

Seems like a good mechanic at the town where you purchase it could fix the key problem and check it out for a drive home. But if you're not looking for a project, I'd say you might want to keep looking. It looks like it needs a bit of work. Personally, I would hold out for a rear bedroom model, with the wrap around windows - those are cool!

[Rick F]

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

Seems like a good mechanic at the town where you purchase it could fix the key problem and check it out for a drive home. But if you're not looking for a project, I'd say you might want to keep looking. It looks like it needs a bit of work. Personally, I would hold out for a rear bedroom model, with the wrap around windows - those are cool!

Yeah, I'm well leaning towards the 'keep looking' decision..

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by osx-addict

I've been emailing a guy about a 78 Argosy that he says is a Luxury edition that came loaded from the factory.. However, I can't find anything in the literature on the Airstream site indicating they even offered such a beast -- which of course does not mean someone did not order one fully loaded. Anyway, just curious..

There were definitely Argosy luxury models. They were called Airstreams.

[Rick F]

Ok.. just a quick followup.. got some more info from the owner including some much better pics with the rig cleaned up and the Sun out (makes way better pictures). He's got it running w/o issue and drove it around all weekend. He says the water heater has a hole in the tank and because of that he's not connected a water line to the rig so it could be the case that there's some water line damage possible.. He's the 3rd owner -- the first owner had it the majority of the life of the rig and the 2nd owner was a friend but that person died earlier this year.

P.S. IF were were to jump on this model, I'm assuming we could add a flip-down bunk of sorts as seen on other models -- that hang from the ceiling. Is that a valid assumption? Of course the other option is to have a kid sleep on the floor -- much easier to do..

Anyway, here's some additional 'clean' pics for you..

BTW -- does anyone have a pic of a similar model with the fold-out table opened up completely? I'm trying to imagine how a family eats at the small table -- or do you eat outside or on the couch? Just curious as I've got 3 kids that are not the cleanest if you know what I mean.

[Rick F]

Here's some exterior shots..

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by w7ts

There were definitely Argosy luxury models. They were called Airstreams.

I was just about to post that: you beat me to it.

[Jim in Pima]

Wow proud ol gal isn't she..Big concern for myself would be the running
gear starting with tires,they are not easy to change so about the last thing
you want to go bad. I would invest in towing insurance, from Good Sam or???
Bottom line, check tire dates..over 6 years..they should go.
Brakes Ok??
If you want the water to work, disconnect inlet to hotwater tank and plug it, see if everything else is OK.
Good luck, make a nice project

[Rick F]

Thanks Jim.. Is the water heater accessible from the inside on this model or outside via a flip-door like many trailers? I think it's probably the door just ahead of the drivers-side rear axle -- correct?

[overlander63]

The water heater is an Atwood/Bowen 6 gallon. You have to undo the water lines inside the coach and the floor mounting screws, the LP line from outside, unscrew the 2 dozen or so screws holding it to the outside skin, and wiggle it out from the outside.

[Rick F]

Thanks.. I guess for the short term to diagnose whether further issues exist in the plumbing of the rig, I could just disconnect & cap the lines inside as you indicate and see if further leakage ensues..