First AS Caravella

[thehandyman]

Looking for some info. Are parts hard to find for a Caravella since not many were made? How come they are so much lighter 24ft them a similar size AS?
And do they hold their value ?

[DKB_SATX]

Are you talking about a 1980 Caravelle?

They are lighter than a contemporary "regular" Airstream of the same length because they're narrower, similar to the Argosy Minuet.

They hold their value like any contemporary Airstream of similar size, it's all dependent on condition.

[overlander64]

Greetings thehandyman!

Originally Posted by thehandyman

Looking for some info. Are parts hard to find for a Caravella since not many were made? How come they are so much lighter 24ft them a similar size AS?
And do they hold their value ?

The Caravelle was a one year only model for Airstream in 1980. There has been much speculation as to the story behind the series. One speculation is that it was an effort to utilize frames and axles that were contracted for the Argosy Minuets that didn't make it into production as the entire Argosy line was discontinued at the conclusion of the 1979 model year. The 1980 Airstream Caravelles continued on with the Argosy Minuet floorplans. The 1980 Caravelles also carried on the narrower width of the Minuets and some but not all of the other weight-saving techniques found in the Argosy Minuets.

Good luck with your investigation.

Kevin

P.S.: Airstream hasn't published production numbers by model or series, but as a one-year only model, there were likely very few of each size produced. The most often mentioned here on the Forums is the Caravelle 20 with about equal numbers of the Caravelle 22 an 24 being mentioned.

[featherbedder]

Airstream made caravelle in 1966 it was 17 ft. long only size made 1966 replaced bambi that was 16 ft long discontinued 1965 . I pur. one in 1966 from R.I.Crist A.S. dealer Chgo Il.

[overlander64]

Greetings featherbedder!

Originally Posted by featherbedder

Airstream made caravelle in 1966 it was 17 ft. long only size made 1966 replaced bambi that was 16 ft long discontinued 1965 . I pur. one in 1966 from R.I.Crist A.S. dealer Chgo Il.

Airstream played spelling games with the Caravel and Caravelle. Airstream made and sold the 18' Caravel from about 1960 through 1971. Airstream brought the Caravelle back in 1980 with a new spelling and three sizes 18', 22', and 24'. That one year series has caused confusion in the Vintage Airstream ranks periodically.

Kevin

[featherbedder]

According to vintage records researched A.S history .com info provide by Bud Cooper founder vintage A.S. club spelling is caravelle 17 ft made in 1966 I do not mean to argue but I pur. 1966 Caravelle in !966 17ft. new one of first made at J.C. Ohio previous was Bambi 16 ft. I have had 5 A.S. & one Argosy

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by featherbedder

According to vintage records researched A.S history .com info provide by Bud Cooper founder vintage A.S. club spelling is caravelle 17 ft made in 1966 I do not mean to argue but I pur. 1966 Caravelle in !966 17ft. new one of first made at J.C. Ohio previous was Bambi 16 ft. I have had 5 A.S. & one Argosy

Airstream's specifications page calls the '66-'68 17-foot trailer a Caravel, both the linking page and the images of the spec sheets and floor plan brochures.

1966 Caravel spec sheet

1967 floor plan sheet

1968 specs and floor plan brochure

[DKB_SATX]

And the model plate from a '66.

[TBRich]

Interesting stuff ... Let's face it ... Airstream has played loose and free with some of the badging of models through the years. It continues today and is very difficult to stay on top of from year to year. The whole newer Safari-to-Safari SE-to-Flying Cloud (reviving on old name to add to the confusion) - to- Sports series transition and re-badging is a current example. Makes us all a little bit crazy!

[thehandyman]

Sorry about the spelling.
The trailer is a 24 foot Caravelle it was only made in 1980.

[featherbedder]

I spelled Caravelle as listed by my post as it was spelled this way on A.S. History.com. I stand corrected as correct is Caravel. Many thks. to DKB SATX for info of 1966 - 1968 models