Bambi gets (jack) knifed - pictures!

[bredlo]

This isn't my auction, but I thought it warranted a look for restoration die-hards... or just the curious. For me, it's an advertisement for driving as slow as reasonably possible!

It's an auction for a post-jacknife Bambi. I've not seen too many messed up AS's, but this is impressive damage. That shot of the front makes the aluminum look almost molten, kind of rippling over the surface.

I hope I never go through this experience - and I pray everyone walked away from this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2446219340

[Porky Pig]

The seller states that the "interior is jumbled up some."

Do ya think?

[aviontt]

$3000.00 for parts this is not a fixer......I hope......

[nds]

I can't believe he's got the starting bid at $3000.

Who would give that when you can buy used usable AS's in better shape for the same price, or at least in that ball park?

[bredlo]

I think the concept (in his mind, as it would probably be in mine) is that these are the most prized length and years of vintage Airstreams, aren't they? I've only been interested in these trailers for a couple years, and mainly as a curious web surfer, but it seems that the early '60's Bambi's are the ones that consistently go for $10-15K. If that's the case, this thing - (even if it were complete junk) would be worth $3K in my thinking.

Not that I would pay that much for something that needed thousands more put into it just to get it roadworthy, but someone might want one that desparately.
Brad

[fundave]

I imagine you could part the trailer out for more than the 3k.
The trouble is in getting it back to base camp.... I pass on this one though tempted.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Looked at the pics on e-bay.

How in the world do you jack knife a Bambi?

Must have taken some real talent to pull it off.

The damage is far greater than appears.

Additionally, the axle is shot.

A price 0f $300.00 (three hundred) would be more in line with reality.

Andy

[Silvertwinkie]

I'm beyond agreement with Andy on this one!

The seller is a clown. You can see how many bids it received too!

Eric

[fundave]

Andy,

How can you determine that the axle is shot from the pictures?
If the ol boy was selling it for 300, now that would be a deal.

[bredlo]

I suppose we'll see what it's really worth on December 7th.

After all, many say the real value of any object (painting, first edition book, rare trailer) is what two people are simultaneously willing to pay for it. This can be very dramatic on eBay, where I once saw a really great travel poster with a rather short description sell for $120 to a poster dealer. This guy then framed it, turned around and auctioned it off at a big New York auction house three months later for $10,900.

Conversely, I bought a signed Rockwell Kent print a couple years ago for $700, then sold it less than two months later to have some honeymoon money and it went for over $1600. In my opinion, both these situations came about due to a better audience, better descriptions and better photos.

For me, value will always be a very subjective thing to pin down.

[Inland RV Center, In]

How can I tell from photos that an axle is bad, is a good question.

The answer is easy. Having 37 years experience and an intimate knowlede of the product, is a good start.

But the down to earth answer is how much of the wheel can you see, with respect to the wheel well cutout.

When the top of the wheel is close to the cutout, or partially hidden, the axle is history.

After seeing many thousands of Airstream trailers, the answer becomes rather easy.

Andy

[nds]

Originally posted by Inland RV Center, In
But the down to earth answer is how much of the wheel can you see, with respect to the wheel well cutout.

When the top of the wheel is close to the cutout, or partially hidden, the axle is history.

Nice catch, Andy!

Also, how much is involved in just getting it ready to tow?





Doesn't look too promising.

[fundave]

From the sound of it...I think you would best to have it hauled on a flat bed truck or trailer.

[Inland RV Center, In]

After further review............I wouldn't suggest that this trailer be towed "ANYPLACE."

I would put it on a flat bed, only.

Looking at the A-frame carefully, shows that it is considerably bent towards the road side.

Towing it that way will make it to dog leg.

If someone managed to lose control of it when it was ok, then taking the risk of towing it like it is, is not worth the risks, not to mention the liability involved.

I also think that this coach went into a ditch or over a small cliff as some of the damage indicates a very large vertical shock. Vertical wrinkes don't happen from a normal collision.

Andy

[aviontt]

The thing is JUNK........

[Inland RV Center, In]

It's all in the eye of the beholder.

One persons junk is anothers treasure.

On the other hand, scrap aluminum brings better than $1.00 per pound. If it gets much higher, at least around here, we might have to put zippers on the sheet metal, so that you can put the metal in safe keeping when your not using the trailer.

We don't have to worry about rain damaging the trailer, because we don't get any of that wet stuff. Actually, fog brings us more moisture, than a typical rain.

Andy

[aviontt]

A treasure it may be but Sanford & Son are out of business.

[Tinsel Loaf]

A rebuilders dream or nightmare. Maybe it's time to recycle it. How many beer cans could be made from it. Recycle the beer cans and you could have a new Bambi. Sounds easier to drink your way to that particular Bambi.

[bredlo]

Fred looks over at the crumpled Bambi - then clutches his chest, crying, "I'm comin, Elizabeth!"

[59toaster]

It's posted a Airstream.net.

It has the windows I'm looking for. I wonder if it's solid enough to tow. I'd part it if I could get it low enough price.