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Old 02-01-2017, 06:54 AM   #1
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1979 24' Airstream Excella 24
Hereford , Herefordshire
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 28
Images: 2
The Restoration has begun!

Hi guys, just thought we would start our own thread on our Restoration journey. We bought this beauty back in November 2016, the restoration started in earnest last week.

The interior has been removed, and a rotten rear floor was discovered, so this is the first item on the agenda to be replaced.

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We would appreciate any guidance on how we can restore/update the dashboard, this is what we currently have.

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Old 02-01-2017, 07:26 AM   #2
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1982 31' Airstream 310
champaign , Illinois
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,071
It was obviously heavily modified by the previous owner(s). Are you planning on installing a bathroom, shower, kitchen? Looks like the fresh water tank and the waste tanks may have been removed also? You've certainly got a blank canvas to work with! That can be a good thing if you have the time and money to put it back to a usable "RV". Exterior sure looks to be in fine shape!
Here are some links to threads regarding dashboard rehabs, Im sure there are many more;

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...ver-21077.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f7/d...ome-95148.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f160...her-23158.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f156...stions-70.html

I don't have much luck using the search function here on the forums. I use google to search, in this case "airforums motorhome dashboard".

Welcome to the classic motorhome nut house here on AirForums. You'll find just about any information you need for your rehab right here. You may want to search google for help with your floor replacement also. "AirForums motorhome subfloor repairs", you'll find a great deal of info on materials and techniques for floor replacement.

Good luck, LET THE FUN BEGIN!!!!

Mike
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Old 02-01-2017, 08:22 AM   #3
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1975 20' Argosy 20
Chestfield , Kent
Join Date: Mar 2014
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If the tanks are removed, and because of your location, seriously consider installing a cassette toilet. These have their own removable, black tank, and mean you only need to add back the freshwater and grey tanks. Also being based in Europe gives you access to the vast array of van conversion modular kits, which simply aren't available in the US apart from special imports (I had to ship most of my wetroom and kitchen from Europe during my rebuild).

Take a look here at what is available 'off the shelf' https://www.reimo.com/en/G-van_conversions_shop/
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Old 02-01-2017, 01:09 PM   #4
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1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond , Kentucky
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Rebuild threads are fun to watch! Not always fun to actually be doing the rebuild (I speak from experience!) but definitely fun to watch

I agree with Martin about the cassette style of toilet. I purchased the same configuration of toilet/sink combo as Martin and I'm in the U.S. It simplifies things a great deal.

Brad
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Old 02-01-2017, 04:17 PM   #5
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1979 24' Airstream Excella 24
Tipp City , Ohio
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Welcome to the madness!
I have a 240 as well. When I first got the Airstream bug I thought the bigger the better. However after being on this forum for a few years I have come to the conclusion that the 24' is the ideal size. The 20' looks just a little cramped for my needs (I am 6'-3" and my sons even bigger) The longer units are heavy for this chassis and involve many more parts that run up the cost and complicate things. I consider the 24 to be the sports car of classic motorhomes.
My advice to anyone who takes on the challenge of restoring one of these old girls is read the forum, read the forum, read the forum. Whatever problem you come across you can be assured that someone else has had the very same problem . No sense in reinventing the wheel.
Martin and Brad are two of the most knowledgeable here on the forum. I would start by reading their threads.
Good Luck!
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Old 02-01-2017, 07:59 PM   #6
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1983 31' Airstream310
Hillsburgh , Ontario
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregsch View Post
Welcome to the madness!
I have a 240 as well. When I first got the Airstream bug I thought the bigger the better. However after being on this forum for a few years I have come to the conclusion that the 24' is the ideal size. The 20' looks just a little cramped for my needs (I am 6'-3" and my sons even bigger) The longer units are heavy for this chassis and involve many more parts that run up the cost and complicate things. I consider the 24 to be the sports car of classic motorhomes.
My advice to anyone who takes on the challenge of restoring one of these old girls is read the forum, read the forum, read the forum. Whatever problem you come across you can be assured that someone else has had the very same problem . No sense in reinventing the wheel.
Martin and Brad are two of the most knowledgeable here on the forum. I would start by reading their threads.
Good Luck!
Don't have an opinionated bone in your body do-ya Greg. The one thing you don't have is the right motor......the ever running, no points or sparkplugs, engine fires, gas fumes, totally bulletproof, but not idiot proof, Isuzu turbo diesel.

I'm 6'3" as well and I love my rear convertible lounge, seats 13, sleeps 6 (8' long x 6' bed in the back), 13+ mpg 31' coach. It has the space for people to have their own space in the coach.

Welcome to the forum Chris......

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...me-106269.html

Cheers
Tony
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Old 02-02-2017, 11:55 AM   #7
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1969 31' Sovereign
1982 28' Airstream 280
Edmonton , Alberta
Join Date: Dec 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Isuzusweet View Post
Don't have an opinionated bone in your body do-ya Greg. The one thing you don't have is the right motor......the ever running, no points or sparkplugs, engine fires, gas fumes, totally bulletproof, but not idiot proof, Isuzu turbo diesel.

I'm 6'3" as well and I love my rear convertible lounge, seats 13, sleeps 6 (8' long x 6' bed in the back), 13+ mpg 31' coach. It has the space for people to have their own space in the coach.

Welcome to the forum Chris......

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...me-106269.html

Cheers
Tony
I just bought the 280 with the diesel. Motor is amazing! Unfortunately parts are amazing also ( obsolete) on her maiden voyage of 2500 miles my $12000 purchase turned into $22000 with all the bills I just got home on Saturday now I'm researching the many things I need to just get this on the road. This is my new hotrod and must agree a diesel is the Cadillac
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Old 02-02-2017, 01:32 PM   #8
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1975 20' Argosy 20
Chestfield , Kent
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregsch View Post
........Martin and Brad are two of the most knowledgeable here on the forum. I would start by reading their threads.
Good Luck!
Although it is nice to be mentioned, I'm not in the same category as Brad, or Peter or several other of the real gurus!!!!!
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Old 02-02-2017, 03:16 PM   #9
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1982 28' Airstream 280
Port Angeles , Washington
Join Date: Aug 2008
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These guys are your best Isuzu part and information source.

Hamilton Engine Sales
5540 N.E. Columbia Blvd.
Portland, Oregon 97218 (503) 280-1353

In case you hadn't realized these engines are industrial and the highway guys aren't real helpful sometimes.
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Old 02-02-2017, 09:41 PM   #10
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1983 31' Airstream310
Hillsburgh , Ontario
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Swillv8 View Post
I just bought the 280 with the diesel. Motor is amazing! Unfortunately parts are amazing also ( obsolete) on her maiden voyage of 2500 miles my $12000 purchase turned into $22000 with all the bills I just got home on Saturday now I'm researching the many things I need to just get this on the road. This is my new hotrod and must agree a diesel is the Cadillac
$10,000 dollars in repairs???? What happened????

What is it with the curse of the 280's. Mark's 280 and now this one? It does sound like the very same scenario; been sitting for a long time and then taken out without going over critical systems.

Hope things get better for you.
Cheers
Tony
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Old 02-03-2017, 06:05 AM   #11
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1979 24' Airstream Excella 24
Hereford , Herefordshire
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 28
Images: 2
Restoration Update

Thanks for the tips guys, here is the floorplan of what we want to do. We will have a double bed in the rear with wardrobe space, and a walk in wet room (cassette toilet as suggested, with access from the outside), the bedroom area will be aluminium mirror finished, with a star field projector onto the ceiling. We will then have a false wall with a door through to the main area. On the right will be the kitchen area, sink/hob combination, 3 way fridge, with marine type water heater and pump. Opposite will be storage and work top, and a Artic Wasp wood burning stove.

We are re-utilising the existing seating as they are Italian leather, these will turn into two single beds as required. We are using Beauflor flooring as its very hard wearing and easy to clean. We are aiming for an "American Diner" look complete with wall mounted jukebox.

All that will remain is to refurbish the windows, and sort out the driving area, so any tips would be appreciated.
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Old 02-03-2017, 08:17 AM   #12
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1979 24' Airstream Excella 24
Tipp City , Ohio
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Don't have an opinionated bone in your body do-ya Greg. The one thing you don't have is the right motor......the ever running, no points or sparkplugs, engine fires, gas fumes, totally bulletproof, but not idiot proof, Isuzu turbo diesel.

I'm 6'3" as well and I love my rear convertible lounge, seats 13, sleeps 6 (8' long x 6' bed in the back), 13+ mpg 31' coach. It has the space for people to have their own space in the coach.

I certainly did not intend for anyone to take offense by my comments.
I simply wanted to note that although the shorter units are less expensive and have fewer features there are certain advantages. I do not spend a lot of time camping in my unit. I spend more time motoring down the highway and entertaining outside the Moho. If I were fulltiming I would likely be craving more space.
As far as the diesel engine goes, I don't think many would argue that the diesel is the better choice but , there are only so many out there.
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Old 02-03-2017, 08:33 AM   #13
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1975 20' Argosy 20
Chestfield , Kent
Join Date: Mar 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrisay59 View Post
Thanks for the tips guys, here is the floorplan of what we want to do. We will have a double bed in the rear with wardrobe space, and a walk in wet room (cassette toilet as suggested, with access from the outside), the bedroom area will be aluminium mirror finished, with a star field projector onto the ceiling. We will then have a false wall with a door through to the main area. On the right will be the kitchen area, sink/hob combination, 3 way fridge, with marine type water heater and pump. Opposite will be storage and work top, and a Artic Wasp wood burning stove.

We are re-utilising the existing seating as they are Italian leather, these will turn into two single beds as required. We are using Beauflor flooring as its very hard wearing and easy to clean. We are aiming for an "American Diner" look complete with wall mounted jukebox.

All that will remain is to refurbish the windows, and sort out the driving area, so any tips would be appreciated.
Remember to factor in the position of the wheel wells and the access from the petrol fill to the tank into your plans. At the moment it looks like your wetroom could be close to the driver side wheel well.
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Old 02-03-2017, 08:36 AM   #14
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1979 24' Airstream Excella 24
Hereford , Herefordshire
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Quote:
Originally Posted by martin300662 View Post
Remember to factor in the position of the wheel wells and the access from the petrol fill to the tank into your plans. At the moment it looks like your wetroom could be close to the driver side wheel well.


The sink is over the wheel arch, sorry but I'm not that great at drawing, the partition wall that contains the hot water heater will also go there.
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Old 02-11-2017, 08:29 AM   #15
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1979 24' Airstream Excella 24
Hereford , Herefordshire
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Time for this weeks update. Subfloor has been replaced, the polished aluminium sheeting for the bedroom area has been fitted and the Beauflor vinyl flooring has been laid. Click image for larger version

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Old 02-13-2017, 09:02 PM   #16
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nanaimo , British Columbia
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If you end up changing your guage area, the previous owner of my 28' hacked up the area by my heater controls. Since that panel is aluminum covered with vinyl wood covering I have been looking for an original replacement if you end up changing thing.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrisay59 View Post
Hi guys, just thought we would start our own thread on our Restoration journey. We bought this beauty back in November 2016, the restoration started in earnest last week.

The interior has been removed, and a rotten rear floor was discovered, so this is the first item on the agenda to be replaced.

Attachment 279014

Attachment 279015

Attachment 279016

Attachment 279017

We would appreciate any guidance on how we can restore/update the dashboard, this is what we currently have.

Attachment 279018

Attachment 279019
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Old 02-14-2017, 01:07 AM   #17
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1975 20' Argosy 20
Chestfield , Kent
Join Date: Mar 2014
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Originally Posted by mattpalmeris View Post
If you end up changing your guage area, the previous owner of my 28' hacked up the area by my heater controls. Since that panel is aluminum covered with vinyl wood covering I have been looking for an original replacement if you end up changing thing.
Do you have a photo of what you need? JM2 is looking after the entire dash out of my donor 28ft, in case parts are needed for Peanut.
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Old 02-15-2017, 10:42 AM   #18
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1969 31' Sovereign
1982 28' Airstream 280
Edmonton , Alberta
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There is a truck salvage place in Utah that had a dash for 300 or 350. Looks like a rig was totalled and they are parting out
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Old 02-17-2017, 08:51 AM   #19
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nanaimo , British Columbia
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This is a photo of my dash.



The previous owner must have had an issue with the heater fan switch and then an issue with the drill bit walking away from him. Needless to say I'm look for just the aluminum panel where all the gauges mount.



Quote:
Originally Posted by martin300662 View Post
Do you have a photo of what you need? JM2 is looking after the entire dash out of my donor 28ft, in case parts are needed for Peanut.
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Old 02-18-2017, 05:13 PM   #20
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1975 20' Argosy 20
Chestfield , Kent
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mattpalmeris View Post
This is a photo of my dash.



The previous owner must have had an issue with the heater fan switch and then an issue with the drill bit walking away from him. Needless to say I'm look for just the aluminum panel where all the gauges mount.
Those panels are pretty well attached to the dash pad, I am not sure you can replace just the panel!
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