Bought my First Airstream (well...sort of)

[Gauge]

First off, thanks for having me as a member. I have always loved the beauty and durability of the Airstream travel trailers since I was a kid, and as of yesterday, I finally became an owner of one. Well, sort of....

Yesterday I found an ad on Craigslist for a 1974 24' Argosy, which is made by Airstream, but not considered by many to be the real thing.

The price in the ad was so ridiculously low, less than the value of the aluminum, that I hesitated to even go look at it.

Anyway, I was the first person who showed up. The owner was a 90 year old widow. Her and her husband bought it new in 1974 and last year her husband died. Her three sons were kind of somber as they walked me through the trailer. It hadn't been used for the past 10 years. The inside is not that bad. It has an orange carpet and avocado colored counters. I couldn't find any rot anywhere on the inside, but the outside is pretty rough. There is no rust or decay, but all the paint is peeling and it was parked under some pine trees so one side is covered in green slime. There are also a few light dents.

The old lady invited me into her house and asked questions about my wife and family. She was quite frail and told me she wasn't interested in money. I suppose in the absence of time, money isn't worth all that much. She told me she wanted it to go to someone that would take good care of it and enjoy it as much as her and her husband did for the past 25 years. She had all the original manuals for the trailer and the appliances and even her notes of all the places she visited over the years. She gave it all to me.

I want to make good on her expectations. I want to return this trailer to it's former beauty, but to be honest, I don't even know where to start.

I'm looking for advice from someone who has restored a similar trailer. Remember that this is a PAINTED trailer, not a polished aluminum trailer. I imagine my first step would be to fix the outside and then work my way inward. But just where does one go to paint a travel trailer? I imagine it should be painted like a car - base coat, clear coat, but who has a spray booth big enough? BTW, I live in Southern New Jersey.

Anyway, thanks again for having me as a member and even though I can't count myself among the ranks of an "official" airstream, since this is an Argosy trailer, I appreciate any advice that can be offered by the Airstream community.

[big_john]

so far as I know the owners of vintage Argosy trailers are MORE than welcome on these forums...so far as I know...I'm new too...

And, to save the veterans from having to post the following....


WE NEED PICS!!!!

[OB Bambi]

First, welcome to Forums. Second, I consider Argosy the real thing. Third, I have no idea about refinishing the skin but I know there are plenty here that do.

Randy

[Isadora]

Of course Argosy is a "real" Airstream, just like a Mustang, a Fairlane, and a Thunderbird are all Fords. Just because it is painted does not make it an Airstream. If you look beside the door, you will see the Airstream logo. Argosies were the "experimental" Airstream, with layouts, windows, etc tried out on them before they were put in use in the shiny aluminum lines. They were the first with the wrap-around front windows. And yes, it is an "official" Airstream.

The first thing you do is give it a good scrubbing, it is amazing how good it will look once it is clean.

[silverleeper]

Hi Gauge, Welcome to the forums. Sounds like you found a well loved AIRSTREAM.

Here are a couple of links that will keep you busy. Airstream, Inc :: Specs - 1970 and Airstream, Inc :: Specs - Paint Codes and 74Argosy24 and http://www.airforums.com/forums/f230/.

Yep! Need pics...

[2vets]

Woo hoo! congratulations! We NEED PHOTOS! I love the look of the argosys... and you can paint it any color you want and never really worry about dents! Be proud of her!

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by Gauge

Yesterday I found an ad on Craigslist for a 1974 24' Argosy, which is made by Airstream, but not considered by many to be the real thing.

Au contraire. The Argosy brand was used as a testbed for building techniques and features being considered for Airstream production. As such some models are very desireable and have some rather unique features.

Congratulations on your purchase and we're glad you're here!

Kevin

[aftermath]

What a neat story. I say, clean it up,fix it up and then take it back so they can see it. I am sure you will warm a lot of hearts.

[harker70]

We bought a 78 argy last summer and love it . Ours had been owned by 2 families before us and was loved and cared for by both. I will not be doing a full restore, just maintenance items to make sure everything continues to work. Congrats and enjoy!

[TBRich]

Welcome to the Forums and don't let anyone tell you your Argosy is not a REAL Airstream...it is...and they have a huge following here...so you are in good company...

And what a great story...you will do her proud...and you will enjoy it so much!

See you down the road..in your AIRSTREAM!

[Gypsy Jo]

Great story!
If you look through the threads there are a couple on painting it yourself.
Painting the Argosy made affordable
Painting Argosy made affordable Part Two
First I think you should make sure you don't have any leaks . Pull up the carpet look around the edges of the floor .
Jo

[Foiled Again]

Look for a restoration thread by "Happy Campers" - I think they called their Argosy "Costalotta".

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f227...ish-33361.html

Uve also did a complete frame off fix that just blew my mind - built a stainless steel frame!

Paula

[Bigventure]

I would powerwash it in the spring or the first warmish day. But right now check the plumbing, open the drain vavles, get some RV antifreeze in the traps and toilet. Blow out the water lines. Because baby it's cold outside. You will need tires and brakes checked. Grease the bearings when your down there. Then start going though the systems.

[J&G22argosy]

Welcome. I trust you and your family will have many great memories enjoying your ARGOSY.

We have a 1975 Argosy 22' which we bought 5 years ago and also repainted it. I used the biege color that Chrysler uses on the 300
and the PT Cruiser. I had it painted at a local truck body shop. They have the spray booth that will accomodate the trailer.

ARGOSY is AIRSTREAM, and don't let anybody tell you otherwise.

Merry Christmas!

JB

[Alwhisman]

Mine was so bad you couldn't even see through the windows. Sounds like a deal, and in one step at a time, she'll be the beauty you want her to be!

Welcome to the Forums.....my Argosy has the "Quality AS Emblem" by the door.......

Al

[bwoodtx]

Welcome to the forums and congrats on your "new" treasure. I have a '75 24' Argosy. You are just gonna love those panoramic windows in front. Won't find those on a "real" Airstream(lol). Just so you know the 24' Argosy layout is similar to a 25' Tradewind. I really like the layout. Besides getting it winterized, a good cleaning inside and out will do wonders. Also if it smells a little musty put some unused coffee grounds on dishes in a couple of places, it will help. After cleaning, start checking systems-there are some lists of things to check on vintage trailers here on the forums. Enjoy and keep us posted.

[Al's cousin]

And you get to paint it!! What ever colors strikes your fancy. I stumbled upon a 1977 28 ft rear bedroom (wrap around windows front and back) in central NJ that will begin phase 1 of renovating the essential stuff in the spring. Running gear, frame, floor then the little stuff. (Did you know you can buy marker light assemblies just like the originals off the web?) I too will be looking for a paint booth large enough to fit it in.

[BeBop]

Pressure wash, and make sure to keep the stream >90 degrees to the panel seam (to avoid water intrusion). Spray with "Simple Green" or another "eco-detergent" prior to loosen the scum layer. Seems as if the seller wants to "pass" the unit on to a like minded individual. It seems as if it deserves serious consideration. If the panels are relatively un-dented, painting is not an issue, you can find the appropriate source.

Orange and Avocado... true vintage. I would actually consider keeping the color scheme. Fashion goes in cycles... you could be a "hipster" in a few years.

If you are honest in your offer for the unit, I am sure you will be satisfied.

Happy Trails.

[Gauge]

Thank you all for your support and well wishes. I am sure over time I will have TONS of questions for everyone on this forum as I dig into the details of this old beauty.

As requested, (and if I did this correctly), there should be 2 pictures that I uploaded. You can see which side faced the pine trees - it's GREEN!

If there is any known "problem areas" with these trailers that I should pay immediate attention to, (or that you spot after looking at my pictures), please let me know.

Thanks again for having me as a member.

[kposey]

Welcome to the forums! Great find and a great story! Congrats.