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bake315 · 07-20-2006, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SafeHarbor

Well, what we're all not talking about here is whether or not there was a deliberate attempt to misrepresent what was being sold. I've heard about a (Pontiac) GTO sold at a major car auction that turned out to be nothing of the sort - it was a cheaper car turned into a GTO, albeit with the real parts and what appeared to be a real attempt at accuracy, or fraud, depending on how you look at it.

I know the one you're talking about - it was on a show called Wrecks to Riches. Custom car builder in California takes cars left for scrap and turns them into "Super Muscle Cars". The one I think you're talking about was a LeMans that they put a GTO hood and front end on, then (tried to) auction it off as a GTO (didn't meet the reserve price). You can see it here.

Becky B. · 07-20-2006, 09:37 AM

I don't think the guy who sold it to me knew much about Airstreams. I know I didn't at the time either. I just wanted a project to putter on. The guy was a pastor and seemed very nice. I think the original owner must have had all the stuff put on right away, because it's all weathered like it has been on there forever. I looked today to see if the beltline ever was set on an angle on the streetside (I assumed there would be rivets there now or some telltale sign), but there is no indication of that. I stops after the door & does not go around the front, as I said it did before. Oh well, I'm not going to stress about it, I just was curious. I'm actually lending it out this weekend to go to the Oshkosh Airshow, so maybe the streetside will be as shiny as some of those vintage airplanes!

SafeHarbor · 07-21-2006, 10:11 AM

Well, can anybody point out any common clues other than the big blue band around the trailer that indicates that any particular trailer is or is not an Excella? Looking at this trailer, I don't see a couple of things that I associate with Excellas, but I also don't know if they were options or not. I don't see the big door handle with the doorbell, mag wheels, or vista windows, for example.

Becky, it's a far nicer looking trailer than my Excella, thanks to your efforts, and you should be very proud to have it. (Looks like a set of the real A/S wheel covers on it, too.)

Lamar

overlander63 · 07-21-2006, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SafeHarbor

Well, can anybody point out any common clues other than the big blue band around the trailer that indicates that any particular trailer is or is not an Excella? Lamar

The big "E" at the front of the VIN should be the first clue. Anything but that, is not an Excella.

SafeHarbor · 07-21-2006, 05:03 PM

Thank you, Terry. I really meant at a slightly greater distance than the serial number plate.

Lamar

scottanlily · 07-25-2006, 12:22 AM

Well Becky ,you do have a nice airstream and I would want to know myself
what was up after purchasing somthing that is really somthing else,like the GTO on the auction (the endura nose on that car cost 1000 bucks alone)
The vin tells the story ,but obviousely someone decided they really liked the
Excella and added what they could ,and now you have it .Its a head turner.

Scott of scottanlily

Becky B. · 05-22-2007, 08:56 PM

Well, the fake excella has finally been revealed. I took off the stripe & found where the old nameplate had been. I don't have the option of putting the old one back on, since bondo is in its place & the ends are finished out differently. I guess ol' Bessie is going to be an undercover Overlander with an Excella for her public personality!

Hamb7 · 05-22-2007, 09:47 PM

Wow! What made you take the stripe off? It is funny to think that someone went through all that work to make it appear diffrent. I guess they were trying to keep up with "The Joneses" or maybe they just fell in love with the look.
I am sure you will enjoy her even though she has a secret identity.
Heather

Fyrzowt · 05-22-2007, 11:18 PM

Yep, either way a great looking trailer.
Thanks for the update.
Dave

overlander63 · 05-23-2007, 05:34 AM

They may have done this to make the trailer appear newer than it was, it looks like the taillights have been changed out for ones from a newer model as well. I am planning to do this on our trailer, because some campgrounds we visit may have the dreaded "10 year old" rule. The newer it looks, the less hassle I will get.

Becky B. · 05-23-2007, 06:02 AM

I took off the stripe to put a new one on. The old one was torn up in a few spots. I'm putting one back on that's two-toned blue. My husband is going to help me....wish us luck there! The glue that was left behind is unbelievable! I stripped it twice with BIX & still have a small amount of residue. I scraped it with a razor & hopefully that will be clean enough! I don't think the taillilghts have been replaced. I do think they've been painted since new & they need another coat. Just one more thing to do!

overlander63 · 05-23-2007, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

I don't think the taillilghts have been replaced. I do think they've been painted since new & they need another coat. Just one more thing to do!

That's why they look different. Most I have seen have the painted part in blue, yours are black in the painted area.

BillTex · 05-23-2007, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmotini

Becky,

I was reading on another forum about people having their roofs sprayed with white Line-X for protection and waterproofing.

That seems like a good use of the stuff too.

Anyone got any more info on doing this?

Thanx, Bill

jkcru · 05-23-2007, 10:02 AM

Quite common on motorhomes, works very well.

rebel beck · 05-23-2007, 10:52 AM

Tail lights are original, we have a 75 and have the same. Becky just look at it like this you have 2 trailers in one. Still makes you wonder why they did it.

Becky B. · 05-23-2007, 12:58 PM

Excella envy, I guess!

KeithC · 05-23-2007, 08:55 PM

Your trailer (Recardo Montabond [sp?] accent) "rooks magnificient to me".

HiHoAgRV · 05-23-2007, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

Excella envy, I guess!

I suspect there are more forum members than just myself that envy that polish job, Excella or not

overlander63 · 05-24-2007, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

I suspect there are more forum members than just myself that envy that polish job, Excella or not

That's true, and there is an advantage to polishing this one, rather than a bona fide Excella: It's 4 feet shorter, so less area to polish.

vswingfield · 06-26-2007, 02:29 PM

It's a bueatiful trailer Becky. The stripes on my Excella are cracked like a desert. It's also got serious hail dents, but I can't see them from the inside.

Vaughan