Should i buy this or not ? 1966 for $3,500

[Airstreamla]

hi i recently came across this airstream that's been parked in a trailer park the owner wants 4500 but we negotiated down to 3500 but it looks like it needs a lot of work what do you guys think go through with it or bail on this one ? thanks in advance

[TG Twinkie]

Run fast and far!!!!

[GMFL]

If you have not bought it yet don’t. A lot of work and plenty of evidence of neglect.
I saw your other post on getting the a frame welded back on.
This is not the project I would take on.

[Airstreamla]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

Run fast and far!!!!

haha is it that bad ? i was thinking of replacing the frame the axles but now to think of it i think the plumbing is all bad the electrical is all crap too so might turn out too expensive and too much labor

[AlinCal]

Huge time and $$ black hole
im thinking they should pay you to remove it, the cut out belly skin for some past repair scares me to think the rat nest to be found there.

[wulfraat]

1,000 + man hours of work and "tens of thousands of dollars" in materials right there... once you've past that milestone you'll have a good shell, frame and floor to put some cabinetry and stuff into

[SilverPal2]

I would pass on this one, however $3500 is about the going rate for a project trailer of this vintage .
James Polk
polkvaluations

[tjdonahoe]

Leverite.....leave it right where you found it....and run....

[frank nordyk]

Originally Posted by Airstreamla

hi i recently came across this airstream that's been parked in a trailer park the owner wants 4500 but we negotiated down to 3500 but it looks like it needs a lot of work what do you guys think go through with it or bail on this one ? thanks in advance

I would buy it and fix it up, but at 75 I don't have that many years to go. Run fast as you can.

[BARNEYCONE]

Good god damned !!!!!

[Shiny16]

Is the chain link included? It might need some new tires.

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by silverpal2

i would pass on this one, however $3500 is about the going rate for a project trailer of this vintage .
James polk
polkvaluations

polk said run. Thats huge

[DDickey]

if you feel like doing a complete shell-off restoration

[John Storey]

Unless you are prepared to drop $30K you can't afford NOT to pay $3500 on this Airstream. The price is fair; they all need work. I have a buddy that just paid $20K on his and still had to replace all the floors immediately. Buy it and consider yourself lucky to find it.

Got to admit, it's a lot of work; I'm an ex-bodyman and can pretty much do any and all of the required work on one of these, even on aluminum. Guess I'm just looking at what it could be. If you have to pay someone else to do the work, this is probably not a good deal for you. If you do your own work, it's a great deal.

[DFlores]

Will require about $16k if you do just about everything yourself. Shell off renovation will be the job, giving you the opportunity to repair frame.

[Mansderm161]

Do not take this project. It'll kill ya

[kenfconnor]

I own 3 airstreams, all vintage. Not trying to sell you mine but for comparison look up my 1964 for sale in the classified section(I am keeping my other two). If you are looking to spend a few years working on the trailer and have at least $15-20k then sure go for it. But know that you could easily be in it for $50k in the end. My 1963 Safari has about $60k in it and market value is mid $30k+/-.

If you want a nice vintage camper you are better off picking up either one in much better shape (but room for improvements) or one like mine and others where the money and time is already spent but the selling price is only a fraction of the sunk cost. I recently sold a perfectly good 1971 Safari in original condition but excellent shape with new soft goods. It went for $15k.

[TouringDan]

Originally Posted by kenfconnor

I own 3 airstreams, all vintage. Not trying to sell you mine but for comparison look up my 1964 for sale in the classified section(I am keeping my other two). If you are looking to spend a few years working on the trailer and have at least $15-20k then sure go for it. But know that you could easily be in it for $50k in the end. My 1963 Safari has about $60k in it and market value is mid $30k+/-.



If you want a nice vintage camper you are better off picking up either one in much better shape (but room for improvements) or one like mine and others where the money and time is already spent but the selling price is only a fraction of the sunk cost. I recently sold a perfectly good 1971 Safari in original condition but excellent shape with new soft goods. It went for $15k.

I agree. My philosophy is to find the best one that you can afford to buy.

Dan

[rucos]

I think the price is a realistic price for a project airstream.......
you obviously are interested in a project or you would have wasted your time going this far already.
Having done the big project I would say you are looking at $15/20,000 plus 600/800+ hours. If you do virtually everything yourself.
If the trailer was close to home i would personally seriously consider it and it wouldn't be the price as I think your close to what its worth............... Now you need to decide if you really want to do the big project!!
Good luck

[boondockdad]

I'm surprised consensus being $3500 is fair. From those pix it looks like a terribly neglected, badly renovated, rats nest.

I guess it's been 10 years, but the '65 Ambassador I picked up for that price was in waaay better condition.