The story of the Airstream 310 Jacket

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Keyair

Peter, a nice looking B190 up in Denver!
Pick up your pipe and play a tune, and you can have twins!

I saw your post about it, Steve. Its a good price, since they usually sell quickly. Despite their compact design they are still in high demand. In my VW microbus camping years, it would have been a dream come through. I really love to drive it with its 7.5 l powerhouse and Overdrive. A perfect traveling machine, but tight quarters for extended stays.
in regards to playing a tune, how do you like the new pedestrian lights in Hamelin?

[PeterH-350LE]

The never ending story..
Just purchased a 1991 350LE. It comes with 2 Airstream Jackets

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

The never ending story..
Just purchased a 1991 350LE. It comes with 2 Airstream Jackets

Those are some mighty expensive jackets!

Congrats on your latest bit of insanity

[martin300662]

Very nice Peter....both the rig and the jackets.

[bkahler]

I think what's really happening here is Peter has a bucket list and one of the items on that list is to have owned at some point or another every Airstream model before he kicks the so called bucket

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by bkahler

I think what's really happening here is Peter has a bucket list and one of the items on that list is to have owned at some point or another every Airstream model before he kicks the so called bucket

Ok, Brad, as always, you nailed it.
And yes, the jackets came with a nice Classic.
This is how the story really unfolded:
I had planned on leaving Saturday morning (yesterday) at 6am to purchase a 79 24' a few hours North of here. Not running, a complete restoration basket case. Already had the Low Boy Tow truck lined up, just waiting to get my final go ahead at noon. As a last communication the evening before, I wanted to confirm that the engine turns over (was told it has a knock). The answer this time was, no it doesn't, its frozen. Oh boy, I expressed my concern and the phone was passed on to the father. He said, no it will turn over fine, just needs some good batteries. Someone probably just put unleaded instead of Super in the tank and now it diesels
My brain went into Information overload, short circuited and rebooted. I cancelled my appointment and called off the tow driver.
As I recovered from the experience (already had spoken to a high quality engine rebuilder), I was browsing Ebay and the listing for the jackets came up. Then I noticed this:
A symbol to the left of the D!!!!! I emailed the owner to please call me and clicked "buy it now" while I was talking on the phone, confirming that it was roadworthy (recent fuel lines, filters, belts etc etc)

[bobmiller1]

Really nice 350, the bonus is the overdrive transmission. Where did you find it and if you don't mind how much did you pay for it ? Regards, Bob

[tevake]

Nice looking coach Peter! Is it a P 30 / Chevy big block combo or?

Someone will get into a sweet one after you get done going thru it. 😄

Cheers Richard

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by tevake

Nice looking coach Peter! Is it a P 30 / Chevy big block combo or?

Someone will get into a sweet one after you get done going thru it. 😄

Cheers Richard

Thanks Richard, I think this will be a keeper for a good while. Its EFI 454/4l80 combo. Have not gotten a lot of the mechanical details besides the important stuff to bring her home. Tires going on this week. Hope to make the trip in 2 weeks

[tevake]

Oooh. That is the sweet drivetrain combo Peter!
Interested in hearing your on the road report of the delivery home.
How far is it from you? The exterior looks clean. How is the interior?

In other words, where's the pics?

Happy for you Bro!

Cheers Richard

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by tevake

Oooh. That is the sweet drivetrain combo Peter!
Interested in hearing your on the road report of the delivery home.
How far is it from you? The exterior looks clean. How is the interior?

In other words, where's the pics?

Happy for you Bro!

Cheers Richard

Here are a few pictures. Unit was stored inside all its life and the exterior was redone in 2001. All of the plastic corners at the bumpers are like new and original. The 350 is in Phoenix, AZ.
New fuel lines, belts, radiator and waterpump. All new brakes. New Michelins going on this week along with Centramatics. Front drivers seat has a rip, carpet in front may need to be replaced

[chriscraw]

Your recently acquired 350LE looks nearly identical to mine (externally and internally including the ice maker ?) and I'm so jealous of the set of exterior awnings and overdrive that mine so sorely misses. Just goes to show how there are still examples of this enduring Airstream model out there...well caught. hope to see her in the flesh one of these days.

[Isuzusweet]

Wow! Going from the B-series to the 350 is like going from a cuddy cabin to the Titanic.

Wish you all the best with the new find.

Cheers
Tony

[mayco]

Awfully sweet Peter, good job!!

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by chriscraw

Your recently acquired 350LE looks nearly identical to mine (externally and internally including the ice maker ?) and I'm so jealous of the set of exterior awnings and overdrive that mine so sorely misses. Just goes to show how there are still examples of this enduring Airstream model out there...well caught. hope to see her in the flesh one of these days.

Chris, Can't wait for the day we drive both of the 350's down Congress Ave with all its Airstream food trailers and the hip crowd.

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Wow! Going from the B-series to the 350 is like going from a cuddy cabin to the Titanic.

Wish you all the best with the new find.

Cheers
Tony

Tony, just blame your good buddy Shepherd57, the visit with his 325 got me going again.

Originally Posted by mayco

Awfully sweet Peter, good job!!

Thanks Mike, I don't think I need to explain the Classic Motorhome passion to you.

[shepherd57]

Tony Peter told me that he didn't like the big coaches he said that the 31 was the best size lol

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by shepherd57

Tony Peter told me that he didn't like the big coaches he said that the 31 was the best size lol

The 31' is the very best size with just one problem, as I found out in a parking lot on our last tour to Cooperstown.
The 325's and maybe 345's have a short wheelbase in comparison to my 310; IIRC, it was 18" less than my 310. Which means a 325 or 345 can actually out turn me by a considerable margin. I had to do a two point turn, while John just kept turning and burning.

Lance has the numbers. 198" versus 216" or 199" versus 217".

Cheers
Tony

[bobmiller1]

Hell.....now I have to go and measure the 370LE !

[PeterH-350LE]

Flying to Phoenix tomorrow early am for final inspection of the 350 LE, then new tires are scheduled for next week and a friend of mine and myself fly to Phoenix again to pick it up.
Got to stick to my self-imposed rule to never buy sight unseen.

[tevake]

Its worth the extra trip to know what you are getting into Peter.

I've been meaning to mention highway 60 as a good route from Az thru N M.
I'll bring it up again once you are at that point.

Good luck with finding What you hope to in your inspection!

Cheers Richard