Restore 1979 or Buy Another A/S?

[maggieairstream]

I have lived full time in my 1979 31-foot Airstream Excella 500 for two years. It looks as though the former one-owner sideswiped something all along the right side (opposite side from awning and entrance), then did a repair of the skin toward the front right side. I can live with this.

I asked the dealership where the sales manager knows and has worked on Airstreams if he thought it would be worth restoring this 1979. He said no, that it would cost more than buying a newer one. I have already spent $3,500 this last month on replacing the dead bolt which quit turning, repairing busted water lines, new Bravura toilet, overhead light repaired, new shower fixtures, caulking where a leak has been in the back under the window, a couple of hinge replacements for cabinets, new gauges (not sure what you call them) for the two propane tanks. I am having a beautiful vinyl flooring put in next week. The owners before me replaced the hot water heater so it is very new. They also upholstered the couch and put in new curtains throughout.

The unit is beautiful on the left side where the door and awning are.

I think the things left to do would be: new awning material, stoneguard, new refrigerator (the fridge is not an RV one but one from Circuit City). new tires, new stripes, polishing (maybe), new propane heater, brakes checked.

I really love the way the interior of this trailer looks and the left side looks new except for the stripes.

I guess the fact that it is a '79 would be the only thing keeping someone from refurbishing it. I want to retire in 5 years, buy a good truck, and travel with my trailer to Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, Oregon and California, Florida and stay in those states for a long while each (maybe a year or even more in some). I plan to travel in it for at least 30 years or more

Are all my repair/travel plans right for this 1979 trailer? Or is it asking too much of one this old?

Kathy