I've been casually rebuilding a '68GT for six years as a hobby. I like it. It “camps” well.
1968 is the last year of the narrow twinkie body. They are lightweight, durable, and relatively easy to restore. They all came with beautiful real wood interiors. Mine is Ash. The trim level that you picture is the International model, which could have been Cherry, Mahogany, or Walnut. Ask the sellers why they chose to greatly devalue the trailer by mopping paint all over the interior. It's worrisome to me, because that painted interior displays an unawareness about their “fixing-up”. Why paint over the original woodwork?? Hope they didn't paint the vinyl walls too.
Another question would be what savings are there when plexiglass is used instead of correct replacement glass. Replacement glass isn't terribly expensive, with the labor involved, why not do it right? There is no “savings” when it needs to be re-done. Getting those Philips-Corning windows right is a scientific project. They are beautiful, but delicate. Plexiglass is very wrong. UV resistant polycarbonate costs more than replacement glass.
“New flooring” often hides sub-floor integrity. The last few feet of bath sub-floor is usually in need of replacement, (BTW, the original single waste tank is quite small). There is often sub-floor damage around the toilet, entry door, and under windows and vents, Easy to hide with “New Flooring”. I'd much rather buy a trailer with no new flooring. When flooring is installed perpendicular to the trailer's length, you can bet they're inexperienced. Don't pay for their “interpretation" of fix-up.
The
1968 plumbing is fairly simple and easy to replace. If the bathroom is original and unmolested, that's a plus.
1968 original bath is very sensible and comfortable. If original, the bathroom color theme should match the countertops.
1968 Airstreams had the worst electrical systems ever.
1968 Airstream owners live in constant fear of incineration, Aluminum wiring, noisy battery melting converter, Poorly located components and the dreadfully worthless “Central Control”. It can all be fixed, but it takes time and knowledge. Mine's safe now.
Then, as mentioned, there are axle, brake, coupler, rear separation, frame rust/sag potential issues to account for, which you will want an Airstream inspector to walk/crawl you through. You can negotiate an offer contingent on a satisfactory inspection. Then use the inspection findings to leverage re-negotiation.
What I've learned from selling tons of junk throughout my life, is that if you don't ask enough for it people don't think it's any good, so $8200 is meaningless. They may have paid $5000 for it, and wasted $3000 “fixing it up”, but I wouldn't pay $4000 for it because of the ruined interior... With a clean original mahogany interior, few dents, a good frame, and nothing working, it's worth $5000 as a “rebuildable core” only if that's the format you wish to camp in.
If the paint is good for you, and it's had a photographically documented shell-off floor replacement, new black and grey tanks, crimped Pex plumbing replacement, rewired competently, rebuilt frame, and new axles, YES to $8200. A 17'
Caravel would be worth three times that because as the '68 gets smaller, it generally increases in value. Overlanders are excellent, but not as sought after as the little ones, so your restoration dollars will appreciate less, but that's totally OK, if it matches your camping style.
At any price, you'll have an additional 10K into it over the next three years, and that's very optimistic. Sometimes folks get hung up on the entry price and don't realize that the few thousand “Too Much” they paid, is small change after five years of ownership. 1967/68 is a great vintage for Airstreams. Overlanders and Trade Wind Doubles are good campers for small families.
It's easy to get Snookered on these trailers, 'cause they're so damned cute. Walk around it and listen. If it speaks to you, you'll know what to do.
There is a finite number of vintage Airstreams. Get one ASAP!
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