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Clyde-2 · 08-15-2009, 10:40 AM

Neighbor said he would take a grand for his 1972 Overlander. Hasn't been used since 1984. Exterior is in great shape, (see pic) he hasn't found the key yet so all I have done is look thru the windows. Has rear bath, all appliances, stock 8-track. Interior wall panels and cabinets are in great shape. Curtains, and upholestry are history. Said last time he used everything worked but the frige. Has an Airstream Magic Chef oven. Control panel with barometer, etc is perfect. Granted it will need some TLC and $$$ just don't know if I am opening Pandoras box or not. I have a deal avaliable for a 2007 Safari SS 25' for $30k vs. this old gal. I have the skills and $$$ to resto this old girl but my 40 year old gut is having a hard time deciding which path to take !!!!! Need some advice from the peanut gallery.

overlander63 · 08-15-2009, 10:43 AM

If both of those front windows have been open since 1984, expect a LOT of floor (and possible frame) rot under them.

blacksheep · 08-15-2009, 10:45 AM

Buy the Overlander and turn around and sell it on ebay! Apply the profit to the newer AS.

Godspeed,
Trent

Clyde-2 · 08-15-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blacksheep

Buy the Overlander and turn around and sell it on ebay! Apply the profit to the newer AS.

Godspeed,
Trent

Wouldn't do that to my neighbor as he didn't even have it for sale but said he would sell to me. He is an older gentlemen and has been very good to my wife and I. Hopefully will be able to get inside later this weekend and check out the floor interior better.

nate3172 · 08-15-2009, 11:06 AM

IMO, I would be all over it like white on rice. I think the older airstreams were built much better than the new ones today and although they have refined the creature comforts with the new ones and abviously are more modern, a person could spend alot less doing upgrades to an older airstream to aquire those modern touches and comforts. Look at it from this perspective. Little money out of pocket and you can make it however you want it. Just might have to put some sweat equity into it. I think it's worth it.

nate3172 · 08-15-2009, 11:13 AM

One more thing, the awning alone is worth money. As with anything else in there that works but you would consider outdated and would want to change. If you choose to replace something not because it is broken but to change to your personal preference than those items can be sold to help curb the costs of the upgrades.

Clyde-2 · 08-15-2009, 11:22 AM

Just took the wife over to look at it, she likes it. While there I crawled underneath best I could and looked around. Under side is clean. Saw some surface rust on exposed structural members but nothing POR-15 won't fix. I did look underneath back by the bathroom and could smell urine. There was a spot where the underpenning was bent back and I could see the small metal joists that support the floor. Wood flooring looked like 1x4's running longitudinally. Didn't see any rot but only looked in one spot. Have made up my mind to get it and start the resto.

What do you guys with models that don't have a gray tank do ????

wkerfoot · 08-15-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clyde-2

...

What do you guys with models that don't have a gray tank do ????

Clyde-2,

Either install a gray tank, a lot of work, or carry a "blue tote" (SmartTote Portable Tanks) and dump into that then take it to the dump station. If you are at a site with a sewer hookup, it doesn't matter.

Bill

nate3172 · 08-15-2009, 11:34 AM

Congrats on your purchase! I don't think you will regret it. Grey tank would be nice but not necessary. Water totes do work well enough. Good luck with her!

Clyde-2 · 08-15-2009, 11:44 AM

Was so sure I was going to by the 2007 Safari that when I joined this community last nite I listed the Safari as our trailer. Guess I need to change it !! Thanks for the advise guys !! Once I get it towed over to my place and start seeing what I've really got I'll post some pics.

twinke74 · 08-15-2009, 11:50 AM

Hello from Bruno...give him twice what he asks for,he will be happy and so will you!

Clyde-2 · 08-15-2009, 12:59 PM

Going to give him the $1,000 he said he would take for it and we will both be happy. Ready to get it over to my place so I can start bringing it back to life !!

mello mike · 08-15-2009, 01:49 PM

Welcome to the 1972 club!!! You are another in a growing list of '72 Airstream owners here on Air Forums. The gray tank thing isn't a big issue. We'll eventually get one but we're content will carrying a blue tote when we go camping.

mccaa891 · 08-17-2009, 09:06 AM

I restored my 67 O'lander and have enjoyed it. We completely gutted it and replaced all the floor decking....and it is a chore at first, but there is a lot of learning curve hours involved. One of the forum members has a website devoted to his 67 OL restor and it was very helpful. I referred to his site constantly as he had a large collection of detailed photos to look at and compare. Since we did such a good job on mine, we are being recruited to do the same on two to three more units. We partially restored a 77 O'lander and it turned out great. If you have any questions....my suggestion is to wear this forum out and you will get some valuable information. These forum members are knowledgeable and helpful. Good luck!!

wmarsha · 08-17-2009, 09:13 AM

dang, i gotta quit readin' this forum...I got a line on a 74 for 1250-the rebuild yearn keeps yankin' on me....
ol' Bill the newbie with aspirations...

Clyde-2 · 08-18-2009, 08:16 PM

Previous Owner got all of his stuff out of the bathroom today.....floor feels very sturdy. All surfaces in bath in great shape. Going to put my new video scope in the black and water tanks to see how they have faired for the past 25 years.

bhayden · 08-18-2009, 08:47 PM

Very nice! It was doing nobody any good sitting. You obviously have the gumption to dive in which tells me you'll use it when road worthy even if not perfect. If you spend a couple thousand a year on the resto the rig will recover at least have that in value. The newer model would be losing value every year. Another benefit is that when something breaks out on the road (it always will) there's a good chance you'll know exactly how to fix it. The older rigs were lighter which means more cool stuff you can drag home from your trips

.

Clyde-2 · 08-20-2009, 01:51 PM

The fun will begin this weekend when I drag her over the hill to my house. I have a case of beer in the frig, 6 jack stands, and a new pack of Sawz-All blades ! I'm ready for almost anything !!

Oh, and some new 1/8" drill bits

bullydogsmom · 08-20-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clyde-2

The fun will begin this weekend when I drag her over the hill to my house. I have a case of beer in the frig, 6 jack stands, and a new pack of Sawz-All blades ! I'm ready for almost anything !!

Oh, and some new 1/8" drill bits

When you pull off the belly pan and the mouse nests rain down upon you, will need more than one case of beer!

Been there done that!

Welcome to the world of Airstreams! Whatever you find just remember, MOST all vintage owners have experenced some or all the things that you are about to uncover! And some of them aint pretty. But they all can be fixed. Just keep throwing money at it!

Annette

airstreamjudy · 08-20-2009, 05:37 PM

Hey Clyde-2, Good choice. I purchased a '68, 25' Tradewind last November. It had set in one spot so long it was up to the frame in dirt. The filth you will find in there is very scarry . . . just take a lot of showers later in the day. The fella that sold the A/S to me came by the other day and just stood there . . . he couldn't believe the transformation. You will have fun and at times you will feel you made a big mistake. Just keep plugging away at each project (there will be many more that you think). The outcome will be worth it. All my friends thought I had lost my mind, now they all want to come over to visit and want to know when I'm taking them on a trip. Put your receipts in an envelope and don't look at the money you are going to be spending until the end. Good luck.
Airstream Judy