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05-14-2012, 01:42 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
BRADENTON, On The Picturesque and Sunny West Coast of Florida,
, USA, PLANET EARTH, MILKY WAY, LOCAL GROUP, SPIRALING SLOWLY THROUGH THE UNIVERSE
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,197
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'This Close' to '94 Classic 360 MH Purchase
Alumeisters,
I am "This Close" to a '94 Classic 360 MH Purchase. The unit I found seems very well cared for with an airline pilot owner who has seemingly gone "above and beyond" with upkeep and repairs. Please take a look at the URL below, and make your comments while I'm still in negotiations. He has lowered the stated price somewhat. I have examined the unit, and it seems great to me. I love the lines of the "modern" Classic AS MH.What do YOU think? I want both the positive and negative. Those of you who know me also know I can "take it". N2XBW
URL: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...84.m1423.l2649
__________________
These aren't the droids you're looking for.
You can go about your business.
Move along.
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05-14-2012, 06:02 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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Interesting....
Looks well cared for....
The paint is a worry... You can hide lots under paint as you know!
Not so keen on the drivers side couch colors nor some of the other stuff too... but thats a very personal choice.
Keep us informed!
__________________
My name is Steve.... and I am an Alumaholic!
Working in my Garage is like playing TETRIS with Tools!
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05-15-2012, 02:02 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Saint Petersburg
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,702
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Watched this on eBay the whole time it was listed. Like Keyair, I've really wondered why the aluminum was 'painted' not clear-coated. Then again, maybe by having the aluminum color paint is LOTS easier to maintain. I'd be sure to go over EVERYTHING mechanical (ie. engine, transmission, drive-shafts, rear differential) as well as electrical (converter for 120V to 12V, wiring, batteries for both coach and chassis) There's a lot that can go wrong on these Airstreams, but that's the nature of the beast.
Keep us posted on your decision.
Thanks, Derek
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05-15-2012, 02:10 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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Aside from the fact that painted can hide stuff, there is the subject of the paints adhesion on aluminum. Not easy to do I am told and add the joints and rivits into the mix, and I bet its a nightmare long term.
The was a later model 345 classic parked at my storage yard that had been painted.... The paint and clearcoat was bubbling. I had no contact with the owner, then one day it was gone.
Now, there is a scholl of thought, that if it did start to bubble.... it would be time to POLISH!
__________________
My name is Steve.... and I am an Alumaholic!
Working in my Garage is like playing TETRIS with Tools!
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05-15-2012, 06:11 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Keyair
it would be time to POLISH!
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:::::shudder:::::
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05-16-2012, 02:48 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Silverton
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,102
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A matter of taste...clear coat bubbles and clouds...paint does, also, but, well, clearcoat IS paint...adhesion to aluminum is an aircraft problem, too, but they seem to have it under control...and they have all those rivets and things that hold them together underneath the paint...i can remember all the Continental Airlines Corsairs with mostly clearcoat, shiny and bold-looking for their day...I'll bet Southwest would be willing to give pointers....how my rig looks is not really important, but what it does for my selfish self does...we're usually on the road 8-9 months of the year, and the polish just doesn't matter to me...I'm out there USING mine, not talking about when I'm going to...some of the most beat-up looking rigs have some of the most affable occupants, because they get it. m
__________________
Michael & Tracy
1989 345 Motorhome
CHARTER MEMBERS: FOUR CORNERS UNIT, AND PROUD OF IT!!!
We live for the moment, 'cause when you get there, it's gone...
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05-16-2012, 05:48 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
BRADENTON, On The Picturesque and Sunny West Coast of Florida,
, USA, PLANET EARTH, MILKY WAY, LOCAL GROUP, SPIRALING SLOWLY THROUGH THE UNIVERSE
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,197
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Thanks everyone for your comments. I will be going to Ohio next week to look again and likely purchase.
Regarding the paint issue, the present owner said that the aluminum used on the motor home was of more than one look, finish, color, reflectivity, alloy...call it what you will. So, he took it to the best RV paint facility available to him - http://www.precisionpaintingrv.com/ - and had it done. I believe the man to be honest, and saw no evidence of body repair, except for the three compound curve panels above the rear window which were flawlessly replaced by Airstream. These are not painted, but match pretty well. According to the owner, the paint job has a warrantee.
I DID notice that the voids behind the rear wheels had been filled, and under the front-end wheel wells had been sprayed with insulating foam which was then painted black. Has anyone seen this done in an Airstream motor home befor? I'm sure it was done to cut down noise, but I'd never seen this before. If there was any uneven or rough looking thing on the rig, this was it.
Regarding the color of the cloth couch, it IS a bit much, but not nearly as hideous in person as in the photos. The yellow trim (!-?) around the windows will certainly need some attention.
Thanks again to everyone who answered, and to those about to chime in.
__________________
These aren't the droids you're looking for.
You can go about your business.
Move along.
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05-18-2012, 12:05 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1993 33' Land Yacht
Midland
, Michigan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 508
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The older Allegro MH had the sprayed insulation under the wheel wells, most likely for sound, but I haven't seen any Airstreams with it. The price is certainly more in line than a lot of Classic's that have been listed lately for the same model year. But pictures don't allways tell the whole story so give it a through going over.
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05-19-2012, 02:46 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
Las Vegas
, Nevada
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 626
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N2XBW
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We agree your opinion of the lines. Besides cosmetic reasons these lines actually perform.
Whenever on that subject it always reminds me time we were crossing a long bridge, SE of NV somewhere, and the high winds were really ROCKING this square box mh in front of us to the point where the occupants had to be getting sea-sick. From what I picture now our ol' classic (1990) seemed to just sail across. Do remember really 'gripping' the wheel though, so I would think with the nose shape of your 1994 it would even be smoother in similar high wind situations.
Keep us posted.
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05-25-2012, 06:22 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
BRADENTON, On The Picturesque and Sunny West Coast of Florida,
, USA, PLANET EARTH, MILKY WAY, LOCAL GROUP, SPIRALING SLOWLY THROUGH THE UNIVERSE
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,197
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It appears the owner has sold this unit to someone else. Sigh...
__________________
These aren't the droids you're looking for.
You can go about your business.
Move along.
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05-25-2012, 07:12 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1995 36' Classic 36
Ludington
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,662
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N2XBW
It appears the owner has sold this unit to someone else. Sigh...
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Keep looking... I had a couple sold out from under me as I hesitated on making the deal. If I had made an impulse buy, I'd be driving a 95 Tiffin with a leaky roof and jamming slideout. I'm much happier with what I ended up with. I did move quickly when I found what I was looking for. They had a backup offer if I hadn't closed the deal.
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05-25-2012, 09:33 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N2XBW
It appears the owner has sold this unit to someone else. Sigh...
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Those things are made to happen; I came close to buying a 360 a few years ago, the wife did not want it, I did. I contacted the owner, had some friends look at her, pre-sold Bess, all was well, except the matter of a bank loan to cover the difference. The bank drug their feet, and the more time I had to think about it, the more I realized I had replaced almost everything in Bess, knew her well and I was going to start over, with a mortgage, no less? I passed, logic (and wife) ruled.
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05-25-2012, 09:49 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1982 34' Limited
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 558
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So sorry you missed it, N2XBW. I hate it when that happens. :-(
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05-25-2012, 11:02 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Silverton
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,102
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I think you will know when the right one appears...on some level, if you don't jump, there's a reason...we looked for almost a year, and inspected 8-10 coaches...Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Airforums, eBay, Craig's list, and just plain Google...there was one listed on eBay that didn't sell, then showed up as a dealer offer. We flew to Nashville from Austin, rented a car to get to Cookville(Tenn), took one walk-thru, and we've had her for over 6 years...we just KNEW, and bought her about an hour after we saw her in person. don't let a sense of urgency override your gut reaction...m
__________________
Michael & Tracy
1989 345 Motorhome
CHARTER MEMBERS: FOUR CORNERS UNIT, AND PROUD OF IT!!!
We live for the moment, 'cause when you get there, it's gone...
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05-25-2012, 11:05 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScrapIrony-2
don't let a sense of urgency override your gut reaction...m
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Yup, how are you guys? Still in Texas?
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05-25-2012, 02:58 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Silverton
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,102
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Yep...hot, humid, and all the other reasons we retired to Colorado...be that as it may, we may be here thru the summer...I'm sure this is just a heat wave, and that it will cool off by July...T is doing great, but recovery is about 6-12 months...I'll retrieve Scrap in 2-3 weeks, I hope, and bring her down here...guess you guys aren't quite feeling a pinch. Plan on us descending to AZ next winter...m
__________________
Michael & Tracy
1989 345 Motorhome
CHARTER MEMBERS: FOUR CORNERS UNIT, AND PROUD OF IT!!!
We live for the moment, 'cause when you get there, it's gone...
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05-25-2012, 03:17 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScrapIrony-2
Plan on us descending to AZ next winter...m
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Look forward to it. We'll be at Flagstaff KOA in September and down to Ajo in November. Best to you and Tracy. M & J
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06-03-2012, 06:34 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
BRADENTON, On The Picturesque and Sunny West Coast of Florida,
, USA, PLANET EARTH, MILKY WAY, LOCAL GROUP, SPIRALING SLOWLY THROUGH THE UNIVERSE
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,197
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I'm still looking for a "modern" (94-95) Airstream Classic Motor Home. Also looking at some nice used Barths. Would I still be welcome here if I ended up with a Barth? Are they considered "kin" to the Airstreams?
__________________
These aren't the droids you're looking for.
You can go about your business.
Move along.
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06-03-2012, 11:05 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Silverton
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,102
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I searched the forums for a front hub when we threw an axle...spent 10 agonizing days in a motel in Kingman Arizona while they looked for a hub, AND, they called Airstream, which cost us another three days for them to get a "we don't have that information..."
I(ok, my wife) found the Barthmobile forums, and in one day I not only found what I still believe were the last two hubs on earth for us, they were NIB-new in box- and i bought both, had them shipped from Ames, Minnesota speed-way, and we were on the road a day later...sometimes, you just have to do the work the folks you are paying are supposed to do. Main point, here, is that the Barthmobile is a well-engineered rig, and has the same chassis...thus, the Barthmobile forums is an excellent source of problem-solving and parts...similar situations seem to occur, and they are a source you should highlight in your bookmark list. I still haul the 40 pound extra hub, as as long as I have it, I will probably never need it, but I do believe in Murphy's law and all the corollaries...and, yep...I was(and still am in heart) a Boy Scout/Explorer...I would love to see some one integrate an Airstream/Barthmobile site...I don't have that kind of education, but it would open up new communications and double the chassis information highway...Barthmobile would have been my second choice, if I hadn't owned a '68 Overlander first...AS rules, to me, but Barth is a mighty fine rig...m
Show up at any place I'm parked, and Barth-or-not...yer welcome
__________________
Michael & Tracy
1989 345 Motorhome
CHARTER MEMBERS: FOUR CORNERS UNIT, AND PROUD OF IT!!!
We live for the moment, 'cause when you get there, it's gone...
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06-03-2012, 12:30 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
Las Vegas
, Nevada
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 626
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N2XBW
I'm still looking for a "modern" (94-95) Airstream Classic Motor Home. Would I still be welcome here if I ended up with a Barth?
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HECK YES...Uncle Floyd too.
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