Help identifying a panel & estimate - 1982 280

[dyldebus]

Hi everyone, I was hoping I could get some help identifying if these damaged panels are available to purchase. This is a 1982 Airstream Excella 280 Diesel.

Has anyone done a repair of this magnitude? If so, what's the damage on something like this (financially)? It looks like 2 panels may need to be replaced with a third needing some love.



Thanks,
Dylan

[martin300662]

Welcome Dylan, are you a new owner? The photo looks a little familiar, maybe a coincidence but there has been a Excella Diesel for sale in Encinitas on eBay and Craigslist with very similar body damage.

In terms of your panels I would suggest you contact someone like Inland RV Center. They have diagrams of panels on their website (Inland RV Center Inc.) but if you call them they will be able to make sure you get the correct ones for your model/year.

[AWCHIEF]

Have you inspected for internal damage?

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

Have you inspected for internal damage?

Nothing structural there

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by dyldebus

Hi everyone, I was hoping I could get some help identifying if these damaged panels are available to purchase. This is a 1982 Airstream Excella 280 Diesel.

Has anyone done a repair of this magnitude? If so, what's the damage on something like this (financially)? It looks like 2 panels may need to be replaced with a third needing some love.



Thanks,
Dylan

A pro would probably charge you about 3-3500 to replace 2 panels, but I think you will need the center panels as well, since the window is pushed in at the top
The panels cost 500-600 ea plus shipping and rivets and vulkem. If you do it yourself, I suggest to replace the top center panel first and then the other 2 panels. The reason is that the panels are not really cut to fit, so you have many option on heights when installing the new panels.

[dyldebus]

Wow, thanks for all of the great feedback.

Actually it's not mine. It's for sale in my town. I knew as soon as I saw it on Craigslist which one it was since it's a few streets down from me and I've been eyeballing it for awhile. I'll contact the guy after I get ahold Inland RV and confirm they have replacement panels.

I will also check out the inside for damage. There may be too many issues for the price he wants... There are a few more damaged panels (nothing like the rear though) along with the door. I'm not even sure that rear A/C unit works or if the generator is tact. The interior is a disaster but I can build out a new interior no problem.

He wants 9900 for 35k miles on the original Isuzu. I've also seen a few 454's around for less and I have a Cummins sitting in my shop soooo...

Thanks,
Dylan