Just Curious

[joossens]

Can anyone tell me why Airstream stopped making the Silver Bullet Style Motorhomes? They were the most unique and stylish motorhomes on the road. Now all I see is fiberglass on their 5th wheels and motorhomes. What happened? Is there anyway to pickett or storm the gates to get them to bring them back?

[53flyingcloud]

Sometime last year, there was a rumor floating around that,"If you wanted one..They would built it but, for a price~!" I haven't seen nor heard of anyone who has ordered one yet..
I agree..they are ageless and, an statement of uniqueness among all the other plastic boxes out there..
ciao
53FC

[thenewkid64]

Scuttlebut is that they will be back in 05 or 06. The design has been in the works for a year or two

[Silvertwinkie]

I'm betting they will be well over what the current models cost.

Seems retro is back in a big way and folks seem to be willing to shell out war bucks for the retro look. If all the rumors are correct, then to me, it would make sense...just wish it was a reasonably priced coach. Kind of like a Safari (or Argosy) Motorhome. The Classic by itself is a VERY pricey coach. Add a motorhome chassis and that coach will not only still be a beaut, but cost as much as some actual houses across the country!

[dtbw]

A/S has publically committed that the classic motorhome will return. ('05 was the year they gave out at the factory back in Oct) They are working with the BMW design group on the project. As for price, just remember that when A/S stopped production back in 96, the rig cost just under $100,000. Given the price of the other A/S motorhomes, I will not be surprised if the new model is more than double that amount.

BTW, I recently heard a rumor that A/S is seriously considering fiberglass endcaps for the new motorhome. This means the rig would have to be painted. While this might lower production costs somewhat a painted unit will never match the beauty of the original all aluminum exterior.

david

[joossens]

Hopefully they will have a choice of 2 models -- with fiberglass caps and without -- painted and unpainted. Seems to me if they are going to bring back an old classic they should bring it back in all it's glory. It's like having been out of production of Harleys for years. Then bringing them back but "Made in Japan." I have no doubt people will be able to find the money to purchase them no matter what the cost.

[87MH]

"12-28-2003, 07:13 PM #11
90345
2 Rivet Member


1990 345 LE
Austin, Texas
Posts: 22 I have original invoice for my 1990 345 LE. Base price was $121,562.00. With all the options it was $132,059.00. I've also got the original owners and service manuals.
If anyone needs information - let me know. "


I'm betting the 2006 "classic" will be offered in only a Diesel Pusher model - Starting price $250,000 MINIMUM.

Hope I'm wrong.

[joossens]

One thing I'm thinking is that they had better not make it EXACTLY like the old ones. The reason I say this is because people are spoiled by having basements with all that storage. If they don't look and/or function like today's modern pushers for that kind of money they'll find themselves in a very narrow market segment. Even the Wanderlodges are now entirely fiberglass from what I can tell.

[dtbw]

As 87MH stated, I also suspect (and A/S stated that same), that the new classic MH will be a diesel pusher (rumored to be a commercial Mercedes chassis and drivetrain). I have also heard that it will have a basement, but that is spoiling the "classic" proportions. I do think that A/S has FINALLY woke up to the fact that the "brand" is the shape/clearcoated aluminum finish. While a simple scaling of dimensions will most likely not work esthetically, hopefully they will find the right combination that maintains the symmetry and beauty of the original, while offering the expected amenities such as a basement.

david

[joossens]

If they could only make it two lanes wide it would probably work to keep the original proportions and have room for a basement.

Ya think it'll look anything like this:

[ALANSD]

According to their design engineer, the biggest challebnge with a new Classic motorhome was accomodating the storage, and extras that would be competitive with other motorhomes on the market. Some of us here participated in a survey of present owners to help determine what features were especially desirable. I would expect if it does have fiberglass end caps, they would be painted to match an all aluminum exterior, but this is only conjecture on my part.
I think we have seen a nice increase in values for these Classics, and a new one would be a welcome addittion to the market place.
I am still hoping for a classic motorhome reunion at the Jackson Center plant to debut the new model. It would be fun to see a hundred or more oldies at one time.( I mean the older motorhomes, not us older owners!

[87MH]

Alan said....."I am still hoping for a classic motorhome reunion at the Jackson Center plant to debut the new model. It would be fun to see a hundred or more oldies at one time."

I'm in - several others I have talked to have also expressed interest.

Recommend we try for a Spring or Fall window - after the snow/ice melts and before Summer makes it too hot to travel.

Older MoHo owner....and neither of us are, sadly, getting any younger.

[geo-357]

Count me in for a reunion at the factory. I'd love to see other 310s especially.

[swebster]

I'm anxious to see what AS comes up with for a "Classic". Blending the old style and lines with the demands for storage, ceiling height, interior space and (dare I say it) slide outs would likely push this MH toward a pusher configuration. I had a dream about them building this on Spartan's ME (Mid Engine) chassis but it was only a dream.

As for the pricing: don't forget that $250K is considered the middle of the pusher market with highline Monacos and Newmars pushing $350K. Bluebirds are $400K to $800K. If this new AS is to maintain not only the AS heritige and design prowess but also it's reputation for high end RV's then it's possible they will take a "top of our line" approach on this release. Would it be unreasonable to see this unit compete at this level with Monaco, Holiday, Newmar and Winnie? Why not. We all know what 20 year old Winnies look like now.

I will be at the Louisville industry show again this year and plan to spend a fair amount of time in the AS booth. If it's to come out in 05' then it'll have to be at this show to make on dealer's lots in time. Of course...if there is a sighting I'll have my camera ready.