Hi [EMAIL PROTECTED] In your note, you asked: >> Hello All, I would like some advice on purchasing an early to mid >> 60's Overlander. What is a fair price to pay for one? Are there many >> availible? Please advise, any comments, tips, problems to lookout for >> is helpful. Thank You All Harvey Barlow answered with a list he called: "some helpful words of wisdom" (see below). If I were you, I'd take that list and use it to determine the condition of each component. It won't take you much effort with Tom Patterson's website using the "search" feature to determine what you will need to know, so you can evaluate each component. From there, a simple review of any RV parts catalog will tell you the replacement or estimated repair cost (half of the replacement cost) of each component you identified. Once you have that data, subtract it from the asking price and that will probably be what you can fairly offer for the Airstream. After you have done that a dozen times and have frightened off every seller, you'll have an excellent grasp of what's a fair price. Bottom line is you'll end up spending more than you anticipated for what will become a fine restoration project. And - don't under estimate this - you'll be extremely confident that you paid a fair price and received an honest value. Take your time, systematically persist with your homework and it'll pay off royally for you, Terry mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 1963 22' Airstream Flying Cloud 1967 22' Airstream Safari 1977 31' Airstream Excella 500 1986 32' Airstream Excella =========================== >I'd like to offer some helpful words of wisdom to help you determine what to >pay for a vintage A/S but I don't think it is possible for anyone to suggest >a fair price without knowledge of the condition of a specific trailer you >are considering. Let me state at the outset that I am not a vintage >expert!!! I have owned and used trailers for some years and have owned A/Ss >since '93 but only recently acquired a '66 model vintage A/S and am >currently learning the hard way what can be wrong with one. There are many >individuals on the VACList who have far more expertise and you will probably >hear from many of them. Many of them have answered my questions recently. > >The condition of a 40 year old trailer could range from a perfect original >that was used only slightly then stored in an heated and cooled storage >facility protected from UV rays for 39 years, a sparkling unit that has been >completely disassembled and rebuilt to original factory condition by a >professional, or it could be an old trailer that has been used, abused, and >poorly maintained. The price for an unrestored original trailer might vary >from as much as $10k to as little as $200. A professionally restored show >piece might have an asking price of $20k or even more. An average trailer >that could be continued in service or put back into service after receiving >only a cleaning, wheel bearing repack, and new tires could be worth from $3k >to $6k, its hard to say. You probably know the old adage; an object is >worth what a seller will accept and a buyer will pay. > >You can get some idea of price ranges by searching the classified ads >starting with the VAC's listings, Tom Patterson' classified, and Airstream >Classified among many. You might want to get on the lists and simply ask if >anyone has a trailer for sale or can recommend one. > >Some of the things you might want to consider when you locate a trailer you >are interested in are: > >1. Has the trailer been in recent continuous use or sitting under a sap >dripping tree for 15 years? Has it lived in a corrosive, humid, coastal >climate or dry desert air? > >2. What is the condition of the exterior finish and exterior aluminum >skin. Smooth and shiny or dull, marked with patches where the finish has >peeled off, oxidized, dented, or torn skin segments, etc. > >2. Are the windows, entry door, compartment doors, and roof vents >present, sealing properly, and functional? > >3. Condition of tires and wheels, wheel bearings and electric brakes? > >4. Condition of the Univolt, 115 volt ac and 12 volt dc electrical >systems; fresh water; sewer and drain; and LPG systems? > >5. Appliances i.e. refrigerator, furnace, range/oven, water heater, water >pump, and roof air conditioner all present and operative? LPG bottles, >regulator, and copper or rubber lines? > >6. Couches, beds, draperies, carpet or vinyl flooring, and upholstery >intact, original, or quality replacements installed? > >7. Does the floor seem to sag under your weight or feel soft?. Probe >carefully with a sharp tool like an ice pick to determine if the plywood >floor is rotted due to water intrusion. Look inside cabinets and inside >storage compartments and trunk compartment for signs of wood rot. > >7. Look under the rear of the trailer and evaluate the probably condition >of the sewer holding tank by looking for signs of significant rust and >deterioration of the sheet metal tank cover that contains and secures the >holding tank. > >8. Does the toilet stool hold your weight or sag? > >9. Presence and condition of shower curtain, divider door, cabinet and >door hardware, > >This is just a rough list of things to consider. Others will probably add >to this list and may offer helpful suggestions as to how to evaluate the >condition of various aspects of a vintage trailer or specific advice on how >to determine value. > >If you are a handy person who does much of your own home and automobile >maintenance you will probably feel comfortable making an inspection >yourself. If you don't have time, interest, or skills, you might want to >pay a professional RV repair service to make an objective inspection for >you. > >Good luck. >Harvey > To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary original text from your reply.
