Community Forums

TXiceman · 05-09-2020, 07:20 AM

Airstream folks have sipped the Kool Aid many times and just love them. Personally, I would never pay that much for one.

Ken

PKI · 05-09-2020, 10:15 AM

Your link fails.

The NADA value is never correct for an RV. A vintage - anything - is valued from comp sales and buyer opinion.

An AS is special. They sell new, they sell vintage, they sell to be rebuilt, and they sell to be used. Price ranges from free to whatever the seller will accept.

Over-priced - only if you have no interest in the breed. The value of an AS is that it can be taken apart and rebuilt. The down side is that many need to be. Restoration costs are significant, because the work is labor intensive and parts can be hard to source. Given the acceptability of a resto-mod-RV, many alternative solutions can be used and a better result can be achieved. Best would be an updated FRED.

People compliment an AS owner often. "I always wanted one of those" is a common comment. The AS community is very helpful to a new owner as well. Lots of product knowledge exists to support you.

Post - Thor - no, as old as this unit is, it is post the current owner - as good or as bad. Likely some of both. Expect to have to add some of you as well.

Only a P30 - likely - some have been well upgraded - others restored - others used and repaired - some flipped - not all the same. It is a front engine RV with the issues that represents - the same solutions that work on others are applicable to an AS.

The exterior can be clear coated or polished. If the clear coat is damaged, it can be removed and mechanically polished. That polished finish takes a lot of labor or sweat equity to produce.

So, yes - if you want this coach, it's worth $70K. It will be worth closer to $70K in 10 years than a brand new $70K pickup truck will be worth after 10 years of use. Will leave you with better memories as well. That is, of course, my personal opinion.

tderonne · 05-09-2020, 10:21 AM

So someone should buy this one, sell it to double their money?

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/r...119262690.html

1983 Airstream 310 Turbo Diesel
Rare vintage class A motorhome, one family owned, 23,xxx miles.
Fluids changed, new fuel injection pump, brakes.
rare special ordered trunk, two AC units, looks and runs excellent!
31' long
$32,500 OBO

Or this one:

https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/r...116435308.html

Classic Airstream Motorhome
Classic 1982 Airstream, model #310, owned since 2009 and has been constantly upgraded, maintained and undercover. This coach is in extraordinary condition partially due to the previous owner having had her painted and clear coated. No polishing going on here. The engine is the original Chevy 454, has 77,000 miles and runs great.The interior is the mid bath/shower with rear twins. Laminate flooring throughout and a beautiful queen sofa sleeper in the salon. The pilot, copilot and the two dinette chairs are matching leather by Flexsteel. The Onan generator has been used moderately and has 1100 hrs. Furnace, water heater and four burner cook top are all propane. Fridge with cross top freezer is gas or electric and the microwave/convection is built in as is the ice maker. All of the appliances are in good working order as are the two rooftop A/C units. This coach is equipped with hydraulic leveling jacks and a Wineguard carry out Sat. dish. The tires have only 1700 miles on them and are about four years old.
Those that have seen this coach at Airstream rallies know what an exceptional classic this is.

Or buy both for the price of the RVTrader one?

Gary RVRoamer · 05-09-2020, 10:26 AM

I didn't think the Airstream motorhomes had quite the cult following that the trailers do, but there is surely enough collector interest to keep the price well above others of the same vintage. The online NADA values are just estimated depreciation and to not represent actual selling prices, so are meaningless in this situation.

I would not pay over about $20k for that coach unless you want bragging rights among the Airstream cult and are willing to pay serious $$ to get them.

hohenwald48 · 05-09-2020, 05:33 PM

I bought a brand new 1971 Toyota Landcruiser in 1971 for $1,700. Some of them go for north of $50,000 these days. Collectors pay what collectors pay to get what they collect.

I don't even want to talk about my $4,000 1969 Shelby GT 350.

Ray,IN · 05-09-2020, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egwilly

That is one very nice 82. Looks to be nicely maintained and restored.

What does he say about the big block chevy engine and drive train?

Airstream used a Oldsmobile Toronado drivetrain, FWD. The body on that one appears rough and corroded.To restore the exterior, would require polishing the aluminum exterior and repainting the graphics, and whatever the windows required.

jcussen · 05-09-2020, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Airstream used a Oldsmobile Toronado drivetrain, FWD. The body on that one appears rough and corroded.To restore the exterior, would require polishing the aluminum exterior and repainting the graphics, and whatever the windows required.

Believe you are thinking about the Revcon or GMC motorhome. My 82 Airstream was built on the P30 GM chassis with rear wheel drive. My 76 GMC motorhome was powered by a FWD Toronado engine, front end and transmission.

Ray,IN · 05-09-2020, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcussen

Believe you are thinking about the Revcon or GMC motorhome. My 82 Airstream was built on the P30 GM chassis with rear wheel drive. My 76 GMC motorhome was powered by a FWD Toronado engine, front end and transmission.

Good Catch! Thanks for correcting bad info.

sam-3 · 05-09-2020, 10:36 PM

You have been given a lot of good advice. I would not buy it at this price. Get on the www. Airforums &Motor home forum. Read read ,read, and read some more. They have a dedicated group of motorhome owners. They will be able to guide you.

redhooker · 05-09-2020, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PKI

Post - Thor - no, as old as this unit is, it is post the current owner - as good or as bad. Likely some of both. Expect to have to add some of you as well.

Thor purchased Airstream in 1980. Bought from Beatrice I believe. So post-Thor yes.

I agree with most else you posted, except no mods to a P30 will make it ride any better than a Merita Bread truck. I find these versions of AS the least desirable to restore as they will never have the “class” of an Airstream trailer. The only selection that could have been a worse chassis would have been a dually Toyota

PKI · 05-10-2020, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhooker

-- snip -- they will never have the “class” of an Airstream trailer. -- snip --

Kind of hard to say that 310 is not just as classy as any AS trailer. But I have an issue with the look of a lot of vintage AS trailers. Not so much when in restored condition and towed with a nice vintage TV.