> Alan's thoughtful post of these poor trailers that need a rescue
> prompts me to say something.
>
> Apparently, these 4 trailers have been gutted. Someone had a grand
> scheme I suppose, and was going to make all new fabulous interiors.
> Maybe the interiors were in fact hopeless due to animal occupancy, or
> too many beer parties, but probably not.
>
> I do wish people would hesitate before removing everything. First of
> all, in most cases, any antique is more valuable if in original shape,
> so a collector wants the old stuff in there. Secondly, much of what is
> in there is pretty good engineering, and will be hard to replicate or
> replace without over loading these old frames. Thirdly, redoing the
> interior will take 4 times as much labor and 8 times as much money as
> you think it will, and then you are left with nothing to go camping in.
>
> The price the owner has put on these shells ( isn't one of them a
> Vagabond ?) indicates they are thinking money first. $2700 is a
> ridiculous price for them, unless it is for all 4.
>
> So if you are reading this list and wishing you had your very own
> Airstream, when you find it, don't gut it ! If it is that bad, find
> another one.
>
> On the other hand if you have plenty of time and buckets of money and
> skill, go to Phoenix and rescue them !
>
> A teeny bit grumpy,
> Daisy
> Hi Grumpy:
>
> I know in my case it was a matter of being stupid and not doing my
> homework. I naively took the word (someone I thought I knew) of
> someone I knew, and bought my trailer sight unseen. It was either
> misrepresented OR simply an innocent difference of judgment as to
> what "good" "clean" meant to each of us. Then, of course if the unit
> is truly in crummy shape (judgment of new owner), you're left with
> trying to resell to some other poor smuck or take the gut-and-go
> route. My choice. Although I did reinforce the original frame quite a
> bit but with the new interior, a tiny little voice in my head
> sometimes whispers "Overloaded?" to me when I get rambunctious in
> driving. I do think that modern engineering is better that the old
> stuff however and at least had enough sense to keep all the guts and
> redistributed to those souls would choose to restore rather than
> rebuild. I think you're correct on the price of redoing, having spent
> about $20K to rebuild a $7 K trailer. Throwing good money after bad
> comes to mind but no one twisted my arm. It has only taken me 3 yrs to
> come around to this point.
>
> Jo Ann
Reply to Daisy and Jo Ann
I feel exactly the same way Daisy, and HAVE sounded grumpier on this
subject. There have been many aspiring would be "designistias" all too
willing to disregard the original layout and period aspects of the mostly
vintage units to do their Thing. As you mention, many are gutted and not
completed.
There are exceptions to everything, and some of the early pre 60's had
marginal materials, workmanship and sometimes just bad layout. Then many are
as you describe abused and neglected and not salvageable. Then comes the
remodel, or as we used to say in construction, remuddleling. I have seen
so many second acts that make me cringe and think, maybe the next owner will
actually restore this to the original condition someday.
Then there are successful remodels and restorations. This is where Jo Ann
comes in to the picture. I have seen from photos this trailer and the
design, materials and workmanship were excellent. I can imagine from the
model and descriptions that this was the only direction Jo Ann could take
this project. There are other examples and most cost two to three times as
much as restoration of the original interior. Sometimes restoring the
original can cost 20K if outside labor is used. That is great if that is
what they what to do, but so many are buying nice old trailers and then
getting in too deep and leaving the unit in disrepair.
So Jo Ann, do not beat yourself up about the cost. That's what we all spend
sooner or later if one does a full restoration. Maybe Daisy would volunteer
to be a crisis intervention specialist, kind of like a Dr. Phil for
Airstreams. You could have you own show on the VAP!
Gary
1962 Safari
Maine