What would you pay for this 1973 23' Safari?

[72Blazerod]

Hi Guys,

I just took a looked at a 1973 23' Safari up here in Canada that needs some work. The lady is asking $5500 CDN for it. Just wondering should I offer her a low-ball offer, and attempt to fix it, or just walk away and keep looking. It has dents on the front of the outer aluminum skin (I have attached a link to pictures), the awning is torn off and missing, all the cabinet doors are missing their roll up doors, the fridge works on propane but not sure about 120v, it has a new stove. The A/C control unit is cracked but supposedly working, and the front sofa bed only appeared to have half of its structure. What would you say? Take a look at the pictures at:

http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bla...bum?.dir=/15d6

Can the outside dents be "pulled out" or do you have to replace the pieces of skin? How much does it cost to replace the dented pieces of skin?

Thanks for your input.

Rod

[overlander63]

It doesn't look likke the dents can just be pulled out. If you want the trailer, give her a figure you think you can live with paying, bearing in mind it needs a lot of work. If she doesn't take your offer, leave your phone number, maybe she will reconsider later.
Personally, if it was offered to me at what I think is about $4500 US or so, I think I would pass.

[wahoonc]

Rod,
The upper left dent is a no go the segment would have to be replaced. BTW segements run in the $1000k range to replace. The lower right side (banana wrap BTW) would have to be replaced. The lower left might pop out. I don't know what values in Canada are running but down here in NC I wouldn't pay much more than about $2500usd for it. It will depend on what you want and what you are willing to do. The unit is also missing the tambours under the front gaucho as well as a fair amount of the bed foam. And that stuff ain't cheap either, not to mention upholstery.

Aaron

[CaptainJones]

It looks to me also like it has some expensive dent repair. I too would pass, but I am terribly partial to 50's and 60's AS. Of course if you have already fallen in love with it ......

[janetbjt]

I bought a 21" 1976 Globe Trotter 3 months ago for $5300 and it is in very good ,original, ready to roll , condition and I feel I could have done better price wise from the research I did but this one was convenient. I've seen better ones than the one your looking at go for under $3000 on ebay. Really depends on what you want, can spend, and ease of location for pick up. Good Luck

[Boondocker]

A coach that dented makes me wonder what else they did to the poor thing. Be afraid, very very afraid.........

[2airishuman]

i'd shop it only as a salvage coach....like buying it for parts....

besides the many many bruises and panels to replace....all those missing tambour doors are very hard to find....so you will be removing the cabinets and replacing them....and really all of the interior.

and do any of the appliance work? when they get that dinged up, i'd wonder about every applicance and all the pipes/lines/electric and so on.

did you peel up flooring to look at the structrual floor? dig around under the frame and in the corners?

how are the tanks, axles and brakes?

so for a salvage/parts trailer..........or a major rehab job........do you want this sort of challenge?

2000us top price.....2300 is everything works and it's towable as is....

cheers
2air'

[Road Ruler]

Good Day Rod..

We bought a 73, 23' Safari in Canada 4 years ago. Our interior was mint with new foam and quality coverings. The outershell was original and in good condition overall. Everthing in our Airstream worked except the furnace. The few small dents I was able to pull out. It needed new tires and and about 40 hours of spiffing up and reconditioning work. We paid 6,000 CDN and I would say we paid about 700.00 too much but we wanted it so thats fair.

I viewed your pics and like the other comments feel the price is too high. The shell damage is a big concern. Personally I would look for one in better condition.

[loecj76]

Run, Run like a rabbit with a road flare stuck up it's a##! Been there and done that! Run!

[53flyingcloud]

Not only are the panels, as mention, expensive. That one next to the window is gonna be a really pain to repair..You're now dealing with a window frame as well..
I'd pass on this one..(I don't always listen to "myself"...lol)
ciao
53FC

[rebel beck]

We bought our 75 last November and paid $5900. I think it was a fair deal we had looked for months. Everything we looked at had dents also. So when I found ours that was the first question I asked and was surprised to find out it had no dents. Everything works, new tires, we later found out after we bought the floor was rotted behind the gaucho. But I still think we got a fair deal.


Becky

[Gerry Murray]

I live in western canada and I bought a 1972 Twin bed 23 foot with Tandem wheels and paid 4500 dollars six months ago for it So far I have invested about 1300 dollars into it and doing all the work myself Some of the problems where two water lines behind the bathroom sink split because of cold weather.Windows would not stay up and the fly strips where missing and big bugs could get in.No battrey.Had to replace all the weather stripping for allwindows,door,screen door and four roof vents.No A/C.Cleaned both inside and outside and that was a job.Looking at the pictures of the 73 I do not think $3000.00 to highbut not much more

[sovereignrwe]

offer 33% and be willing to hear no.

[cameront120]

I looked at this same trailer last week. It's at a campground in Surrey, BC with Washington plates. The other damage that you don't see in these pictures is the underbelly. Dents galore! I looked, I took pictures and walked away. Personally, I would not pay much more than a couple of thousand (if that) for this unit. It needs way too much expensive work. I've seen much better in the area for more money, but this one will cost more than the others in the long run.

[azflycaster]

“Know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away, and know when to run.”
- Kenny Rogers