Well, another few weeks have passed and I'm still looking. A '75 Overlander actually came up in Round Rock, but it was in pretty scary shape as well, and it had obviously been heavily smoked in, which is a smell I just can't take. It would need to be completely gutted to get the stink out of it.
A local Austin guy also had a '54 Cruiser for sale here. It was in really nice shape, but of course it had the single axle and I'm really looking for tandem. Still, I loved the 13-panels, and it's a whale-tail to boot which is really cool looking.
So, the search goes on. I think I'll know the right one when it comes along. I'm hoping so anyway.
I think you're on the right track with a tandem...I know Zep is redoing an early 70's tandem Safari, which seems like a great size/axle combo, the smallest tandems, that I know of... I have a single axle 23' and got a flat my first road trip: weren't no fun...I recently got some 'Ride-On' that I'm going to try (tire sealant).. your patience will be rewarded, smart move.. if you happen to know Steve from the Continental Club he has a most amazing 13 panel that was recently at the car show in your town...worth getting a look at if you can. Personally, I'd have a really hard time NOT buying a 13 panel at the right price...good luck!
I think you're on the right track with a tandem...I know Zep is redoing an early 70's tandem Safari, which seems like a great size/axle combo, the smallest tandems, that I know of... I have a single axle 23' and got a flat my first road trip: weren't no fun...I recently got some 'Ride-On' that I'm going to try (tire sealant).. your patience will be rewarded, smart move.. if you happen to know Steve from the Continental Club he has a most amazing 13 panel that was recently at the car show in your town...worth getting a look at if you can. Personally, I'd have a really hard time NOT buying a 13 panel at the right price...good luck!
Thanks Rick, I appreciate the continued support. I've been following your thread and you're doing some really great work, keep it up! Your thread and the other resto/reno threads are like crack to those of us who have no Airstream to work on.
I don't know Steve personally but I've seen the pictures of his trailer and it's beautiful. Honestly, I'm VERY tempted by this '54 Cruiser despite the single axle. It's got an original center bath and the systems are all operational and mostly original. It has some blemishes, the skin definitely isn't perfect, but it's still pretty nice, would polish up beautifully, and I really like the whale tail. He's asking $8500, and it's in pretty good shape, but I don't know if it's THAT good.
As an experienced boat-trailer hauler, I absolutely love tandem axles for a variety of reasons. Not only do they have the nice failure redundancy feature, but they also pull and maneuver so nicely. But my current boat has a single axle trailer and actually weighs more than the '54, so I can do it if need be.
Overall, I really like the size of the Overlanders, especially the early 60s models. For my purposes and desired floorplan, I think I could make a Tradewind work as well, but I'd like the tandem axles and it seems like those weren't around until the 70s, or maybe the late 60s?
Anyway, I appreciate your and the rest of the forum's continued support and continued interest in my pursuit of "the one." I wish I had more to offer back to the forum, but until I have an Airstream of my own there's not much I have to give. No matter how much work your trailer is, I hope that everyone who already has an Airstream really appreciates what you have, because NOT having one is pretty tough too...
Anyway, I appreciate your and the rest of the forum's continued support and continued interest in my pursuit of "the one." I wish I had more to offer back to the forum, but until I have an Airstream of my own there's not much I have to give. No matter how much work your trailer is, I hope that everyone who already has an Airstream really appreciates what you have, because NOT having one is pretty tough too...
-Marcus
And when you finally get one, you'll remember what Christmas was like when you were like 8 years old!
What you're learning now (& continue to learn throughout), will be what you'll share when that one question comes up that you absolutely have the answer for. Besides, your questions are helpful to all.
__________________
.
.
.
. Bill & Kim's Marvelous Adventure with Catahoula Charlie
F250 Diesel Lariat Crew, SWB
30' Classic Airrrstreeeamm
AIR 9218
And when you finally get one, you'll remember what Christmas was like when you were like 8 years old!
I have no doubt about that. My irrepressibly sweet, cute, & adorable wife thinks I've completely lost my mind. But, she likes the idea of trailer camping too, especially now that we have a newborn, so she's going along with me pretty well. Last week when I was convinced I'd found the perfect vintage Overlander in Indiana, she started making the arrangements to pack up our baby and drive up there with me to get it. That one didn't work out, but the next one might, and she's ready to help me do whatever it takes. She's a wonderful girl!
Quote:
What you're learning now (& continue to learn throughout), will be what you'll share when that one question comes up that you absolutely have the answer for. Besides, your questions are helpful to all.
I'm trying to do what I can for other forum members, because so many of them are so willing to help and share with newbies like me. I've been a part of numerous computer message board communities over the past two decades, going all the way back to a BBS that I ran on my Apple IIc over a 300 baud modem on my parents' rotary telephone line-- and in all my experience, this community is truly uniqe in its comraderie and willingness to help.
Thanks again for your encouragement, maybe one of these days I'll be able to give you a tour of my "new" Airstream at a rally or something.
...to buying a 1963 Overlander in Indiana today. A '63 that received zero bids in its ebay auction, with a starting price of $3499.99. I contacted the seller who was brokering on behalf of the owner, and the owner agreed to re-list and set the buy-it-now for $2500 so that I could purchase it quickly. I decided it was a fair price, so it was a done deal. I was going to have my first Airstream.
I called my wife and since she doesn't have to work again until late next week, we decided to take a long weekend and drive up to Indianapolis, stopping off in Memphis for some BBQ on the way up, and maybe stopping somewhere in Arkansas on the way back. I arranged the time off from work, made the appointment to get some warranty work done on the Z71 first-thing tomorrow (it's at 35,500 miles!) as well as an oil change/tire rotation/safety inspection. Called my folks to let them know I'd be out of town for a few days, and called our baby's daycare to let them know the baby would be out for the first couple of days next week. I also started trying to figure out where the heck I was going to pick up a WD hitch on short notice (I bought and installed my P3 brake controller weeks ago).
But when I got home and checked my e-mail, looking for my good news, I found a bit of a bitter pill instead. Apparently, just this afternoon, the owner had sold it locally and my offer would not be needed.
A day late, dollar short, once again it seems. I can't help but feel a bit disappointed-- I was so close.
Two Things I Learned That I Wasn't 100% Sure Of Before Today:
1) I really do want an Airstream. I'm not just fantasizing, I'm ready to do it. Whatever it takes.
2) I'm willing to travel long distances with short notice to do it. And so is my lovely wife and our darling daughter.
So, I'm going to go ahead and take tomorrow off anyway, and get everything done to the truck that I need to, so that I'm ready when it happens. And I'm going to keep on looking in every nook and cranny, and snooping around as much as possible.
Quick Links
Adventure
Linear Mode
