'70s Airstream Model Explanation

[submariner]

Ok..
that might sound stupid , but:

I see advertised (in the 31 to 34 ft) range the Sovereign, Sovereign with LandYacht option ?, Excella, Limited, Classic, and LandYacht..


question : is the Sovereign the Base model and it goes up from there, or are they all completely different models ? i know the Limited is top of the line..

can anybody shed some light on this?

how about value and re-sell on those models ?

thanks

[wasagachris]

Actually in the 70's Excella 500 was the top of the line.

[Silverwanabe]

Let's see:

1970:
Land Yacht: Base series
International: Top of the line

Individual lengths had their own names:
Sovereign 31 ft
Ambassador 29 ft
Overlander 27 ft
Tradewinds 25 ft
Safari 23 ft
Globetrotter 21 ft


1971 thru 1979 Excella 500

(71) Introduction of the Excella 500

The model lines remained consistent thru 79.

1980 names were changed:
Caravelle, International, Excella II and Excella-Limited

34ft length was introduced in 1982 model year.

Airstream's website has information divided by decade relating to the trailers.
Airstream, Inc :: Travel Trailer Specifications

[driftless]

Browsing the pages of the Airstream, Inc. site referenced above, it seems likely the Excella 500 was an upgrade package to the Sovereign since there are no floor plans shown for the Excella 500, only specifications. Was the upgrade package available for models other than the Sovereign?

Our AS vin number clearly indicates it is a '73, however the floor plan matches the '74 Sovereign with the bath curbside and the elimination of the full credenza across the back. So, I'm assuming it was manufactured late in the '73 model year.

Is it possible that the change in location of the bath was related to the modified frame design that I've read about on these pages and they made the change in the middle of the model year? Did we possibly get lucky and get a '73 with the "improved" frame? Only time will tell unless someone here knows....

[Wabbiteer]

The date of manufactured (month/year) should be on the trailers exterior data plate...

[driftless]

I didn't notice a date of manufacture on the data plate, but the VIN is E31A3Jxxxx so it is properly identified as an Excella 31 foot twin center bath manufactured in 1973 in Ohio. I'll have to look again and see if there is a month and year.. Thanks Wabbiteer!