Companies shipping Vintage Airstreams to Japan

treadsowell · 07-15-2003, 09:09 PM

Has anyone heard of companies on the west coast buying older A/S from all over the country, having them towed to the west coast then shipped to Japan? I've heard they use them in mountain resorts as "hotel rooms" and just park them. I'd be interested in talking to anyone who knows more about this.

Someone contacted me about the 1971 Overlander I'm selling regarding this.

karen.treadwell@att.net

qqq · 07-15-2003, 11:09 PM

I witnessed organised gangs of Japanese buyers with cash in their briefcase buying loads of custom and a older cars from each Pomona (California) car show I attended. I wouldn't be surpised if they did the same with AS's
They are known to do that in Europe with the Austin Mini (car) & the Vespa (scooter)

Hart

zduke4x · 07-16-2003, 07:47 AM

I have read that there are some scams where you are offered tempting offers and then asked for your personal bank routing and account numbers or given cashiers checks that were not good....I have not heard of any from Japan but they are usually overseas....be careful...lol...jem

59toaster · 07-16-2003, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by zduke4x
I have read that there are some scams where you are offered tempting offers and then asked for your personal bank routing and account numbers or given cashiers checks that were not good....I have not heard of any from Japan but they are usually overseas....be careful...lol...jem

I have had somebody try to pull this one on me when I was selling a car.

airstreamcaravel · 07-16-2003, 10:42 AM

http://www.airstreamcafe.jp/

DMC

treadsowell · 07-21-2003, 07:28 AM

Now I see this guy is advertising in 'Forums > Airstream Marketplace > For Sale & Wanted Forum'
The user name is Norris. He says he need lots of Airstreams (1965 - 1980) for Japan. Prefers the west coast unless you are willing to pay shipping. Guess he won't want my airstream since it would be about $4,000 to ship it to the west coast!

Pahaska · 07-21-2003, 07:59 AM

I'm afraid that Airstreams may go the way of light airplanes. When I was in England, a co-worker took me flying. Behind a hanger was a long line of Luscombe airplanes that had been bought up in the US and shipped to England for refurbishment. From there, they are sold all over Europe.

I think this trend if a result of our balance of trade deficit and a lot more of our prized possessions will end up overseas before it is all over.

Porky Pig · 07-21-2003, 08:39 AM

The same thing happened with vintage motorcycles back in the 80s. The Japanese came over and bought up a bunch of beauties ...never to be seen here again.

Works both ways though ... Hearst plundered Europe of its treasures after WWI ... now you can see them at Hearst Castle.

Jabba · 07-21-2003, 01:02 PM

Planes, Motorcycles, Boats, Classic cars, guess the trailers are the last frontier. Kind of like selling our heritage in a way...I realize it's a free country and money talks, but I hate seeing it happen because that stuff NEVER comes back here. It's lost for good. Just my 2 cents...

Pahaska · 07-21-2003, 01:07 PM

Some few years ago, a millionaire Japanese bought up hundreds and hundreds of classic banjos and took them to Japan. These are some of the top instruments ever made. His empire has since crumbled, but the banjos will never return here. They also will probably neer be played again.

silverhawk · 07-21-2003, 01:57 PM

Hi All,
I for one would not sell my Safari to this person for ten times its worth, if I was aware of his intention to send it to Japan. I also hope that as far as the members of this fine forum are concerned, he is "BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE".
I just felt very strongly compelled to respond to this topic when I read his posting.
That's my two cents.
Thank You,
Silverhawk, Bob

**Pick** · 07-21-2003, 03:53 PM

I'll sell him my 31' for $20,000, and I'll even deliver it to the Left Coast for $4,000.

Of course, I know they'd never go for it.

They are looking for suckers.

roadtripjunkie · 07-23-2003, 11:02 AM

I think the whole reason Japanese want Airstreams is not just because they are awesome but because they love the Americana of them. I think we can all agree Americans feel the same way. Spreading the love isn't bad. In addition, whoever posted that they would never sell their unit if it went to Japan needs to wake up, if whoever you sell to protects it and loves it and shares the joy of Airstream do you really care if they are Japanese!

joe hall · 07-23-2003, 11:40 AM

however, I can't imagine so many of them going to Japan that they become non-existent in the U.S. If, on the other hand, I am wrong, won't that just make the ones we own all the more unique and valuable, both as possessions as well as American classics? One man's thoughts...........