Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-21-2005, 05:43 PM   #1
Rivet Master
 
Sneakinup's Avatar
 
1977 31' Sovereign
Tampa Bay , ^
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 762
Images: 123
Airstream Hype lives on!

Airstream Hype lives on!
In my never ending fix for aluminum related activities, I spotted an ad in the paper for an Argosy motorhome. $3000 or best offer. So, I had to check it out. As it turns out, it was a 1975 20' motorhome with a 350 motor. The guy in charge of selling it claims that an old friend had given it to him, ... title and all. He also told me that it had a new 350 motor, the 700 trans which was allegedly good, and the moho was capable of being driven. He did mention that most of the interior was gone, and that the owner had been cannibalizing it for one reason or another. I think I remember something about using parts for his home. I didn't want to know, so I didn't ask.

No matter what condition it would be in, a day out to see aluminum is always fun, so I enlisted the expertise of a fellow forum member whose knowledge of these beasts rivals only that of Wally himself, and off we went. The moho was located at an automotive shop... if you could call a junkyard with one building with a roof a shop. Anyways... the pictures are at the link below.

Argosy Moho

Oh yeah, he wanted $3000 or best offer for this vehicle. In my original conversation with him, he mentioned that it was made by Airstream and how solidly built they were. Surprisingly he didn't say they never leak, but we all know better. Hence, the Airstream hype has hit the masses. The bottom line is, that this motorhome wasn't worth $200 + towing. There were a few parts that would command some bucks on the black market (E-bay), but as for restoration purposes, it was a total basket case. FREE would have been too much money.

A few observations...

You had to walk on the frame in the trailer because the floor was so rotted away.
The bath was destroyed.
There was a $2000 dent in the back.
The motor was missing 4 of the spark plugs, and the unit had been towed in as evidenced by the seat belt wrapped around the steering wheel to keep it going straight.
The new motor... yeah, in 1975. The trans was surely toasted while being towed.

The rest of the plight is too numerous to mention. With that said, it really had potential!
__________________
Out in the woods, or in the city, It's all the same to me.
When I'm drivin' free, the world's my home....When I'm mobile.



Sneakinup is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2005, 06:15 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
norbert's Avatar
 
1993 30' Excella
whitewater , north of cheddar curtain
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,259
Images: 24

no doubt the seller believed a sucker is born every minute, or he missed his meds....
norby
__________________
Illegitimous noncarborundum(dont let the bastards wear you down)

The only true nobility is found through giving good food to your friends- Anton Careme

beauty is in the eye of the beerholder-cosmo fishhawk

if something is too good to be true, its usually gone before i get there-mister boffo
norbert is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2005, 06:17 PM   #3
Moderator
 
Stefrobrts's Avatar

 
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,287
Images: 50
Blog Entries: 1
I am particularly taken by the adorable tiny motorhomes, so it breaks my heart to see one in this shape! That is very sad!
__________________
Stephanie
Stefrobrts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2005, 07:13 PM   #4
Retired.
 
Currently Looking...
. , At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
Oh. my gawd...

It makes the Argosy trailer I am trying to get rid of for free look like a brand-new Classic!
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
overlander63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2005, 07:17 PM   #5
Craftsman
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
No matter how nice they are, this one is trash. He should just scrap it for the aluminum. $3000.00? Thats funny. It doesn't look like it would be worth the effort to move it.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2005, 07:25 PM   #6
Rivet Master
 
Sneakinup's Avatar
 
1977 31' Sovereign
Tampa Bay , ^
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 762
Images: 123
This was a parts trailer for sure. For Free, and with a place to part it out, it would be worth a few bucks, but that is it.

I agree with Stef. Those shorties are so cool. It is a shame to see one in this condition.
__________________
Out in the woods, or in the city, It's all the same to me.
When I'm drivin' free, the world's my home....When I'm mobile.



Sneakinup is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2005, 06:43 AM   #7
Rivet Master
 
ALANSD's Avatar

 
1966 26' Overlander
Woodstock , Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,525
at least we have another indication of how strong the resale values on our Motorhomes are
300 seems more reasonable.
I am reminded of a trip I took to see a one owner classic 280 that was for sale at 12,000. Seemed like a good deal until I saw it and drove it. Very scary. The price dropped to 6,000 before I even negotiated, and really could have been 5,000 which would have been fair for that one.
__________________
1966 overlander..sold
AIR #005
Please visit our blogs and web pages:
OUR AIRSTREAM PASSION! BLOG
RESTORING AN AIRSTREAM
retired!
ALANSD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2005, 08:36 PM   #8
Rivet Master
 
Chaplain Kent's Avatar
 
1994 30' Excella
Currently Looking...
Milwaukee , Wisconsin
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,935
It is almost like seeing an abused puppy.
__________________
Chaplain Kent
Forest River Forester 2501TS
Chaplain Kent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2005, 09:02 PM   #9
3 Rivet Member
 
moogie32's Avatar
 
1967 22' Safari
Branford , Connecticut
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 215
Images: 11
..wow..I can smell it from here......!
moogie32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2005, 11:14 PM   #10
Rivet Master
 
InsideOut's Avatar

 
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Chuckey , Tennessee
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,789
Images: 108
Omigod!!!

Eeeeoooww!!!

Shari
__________________
Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008
WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005)
AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002

ACI - East Tennessee Unit | BIRDY - our 1956 Safari | 1964 Serro Scotty
InsideOut is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Cost to restore a gutted Airstream Draco General Interior Topics 28 02-18-2013 11:17 PM
Late '80s Airstream Aluminum Fifth-wheel acwdgw Integrity 5th Wheel (all Years) 17 01-09-2004 10:20 PM
airstream! airstream! airstream! 83Excella Our Community 0 03-23-2002 10:37 PM
Airstream Related List Servers Andy R Link Archive 0 02-22-2002 02:05 PM
AirstreamTrailers.com - Airstream Link Library Andy R Link Archive 0 02-22-2002 01:31 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:35 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.