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Dave,
a Bubble is 16'. The 19' Bambi already sells for $28K-$35K. Go look at one at
your a/s dealer. I fell in love with the Bubbles at the Olema
rally.
Randy
Unter
Denver
-----Original Message-----
From:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of David
Carr
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2001 8:27 PM
To: Multiple
recipients of VACList
Subject: [VAC] Re: WBCCI
MEMBERSHIP
I am sure the Bambi fitted the way you
suggest would sell, but I very much doubt if its price would be anywhere near
the 20-25k area. The problem is that to build quality as Airstream requires,
makes the labor costs so high that I would be surprised if Airstream could
build a Bambi for 20 -25k Manufacturers cost!
Dave Carr
WBCCI 2275
VAC
Wisconsin Snowbird
in Tucson az
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2001 12:01
PM
Subject: [VAC] Re: WBCCI
MEMBERSHIP
Dick, you have misinterpreted my comments. The
'younger' Airstreamers aren't interested in creating an "elete clique", they
want an organization that helps them understand the history, engineering,
how to repair, etc their new/old trailers. My point was that the WBCCI has
focused so much on the newer trailers, which have grown in size and weight,
that they have drifted away from Wally Bayam's original creed, that they
should be used to travel, not live in. A 34' , tripple axle a/s is not
something younger, more active folks will own, even though many can afford
one. Witness all the Yuppies in their $50k+ SUV's and BMW's. If Thor offered
say a new Bubble, configured in contemporary interior with sports
attachments, i.e. bike racks, etc, and sell them for $20-25K, they would
sell like hot cakes (I'd buy one for sure). For example, Bicycling Magazine
last year featured an ad with an older Bambi with three young women relaxing
after a hard mountain bike ride from their wilderness campsite. This is the
appeal that a/s offers more active lifestyles, which only the older a/s', or
new Bambi's offers. This market segment is the future of Airstream and
my point was currently only VAC seems to be meeting the needs of this market
segment. But VAC requires WBCCI membership, so that relates to the
barriers I cited. This is not a bash-the-elderly comment, since I'm +55
and perceived by those much younger as part of the old generation. Thor can
sit and wait, like Cadillac and Lincoln, to change their models to suit the
newer generations, but it will be too late because someone else will have
filled that market niche. I wouldn't be surprised to see a Bubble
coming from Japan in the not too distant future.
Randy Unter
'66 Overlander
Denver
At 11:48 AM 1/11/01 -0700, you wrote:
[snip]
Unfortunately, the WBCCI has become a
retirement club for folks more interested in social activities of the
elderly. This isn't necessarily bad, but it causes people who are
attracted to Airstreams because of the magic they exude, but who soon
find barriers to their participation.
This is a value judgement, and an insinuation that those interested
in the social aspects of WBCCI do not appreciate the "magic" of
Airstreams. My experience says otherwise. Can't a member do
both?
There is, definitely, a tendency for a club to age,
and for older members to be in charge - especially if no effort is made to
recruit younger members and get them involved as club committee people and
as officers. This is sad, and reflects the trend towards an aging
membership in WBCCI. And, older members are more likely to be "set
in their ways." IMHO, the only unforgivable thing is to be rude,
forming exclusive cliques.
Still, I find the repeated negative
references here to older members to be in poor taste. Remember, we VAC
members are, often, seen as elitist by many members of WBCCI. That's
probably because we tend to be younger, and youth tends to arrogance (I'm
an arrogant youngster at 69). It's a hard path - to be one of only a
handful of young people in a predominately older club - but it's not made
easier by insisting that the club make itself over for your particular
tastes. It can happen, but you have to make it happen; the other
club members are happy as things are.
It's like my own local chapter which
actively states it is not an old folks club, but then proceeds to list
all the obituaries and members in hospitals in the newsletter.
There is never any information about Airstream, the trailer, in the
newsletter. This is not to suggest disrespect for the
elderly and their health problems, but it turns off younger members.
After all , I'm 55 and will be getting "old",... but never in
spirit.
What would you have in a
*club* newsletter? Should people who are ill, or who have died,
simply be ignored? *That* would be disrespect, indeed. The
WBCCI publication, "The Blue Beret" has Airstream information in it,
including some technical stuff, and the VAC one has lots of great
technical information (as well as some social information).
A club newsletter should, as yours does, contain information about
the members. Ours also contains stuff going on at Top of GA, safety
seminars, additions to the email-address list, reports of the Board
activities/meetings, and other stuff. And, yes, some social stuff
when that is timely.
Keep working on your unit; they'll come
around, but only slowly.
- Dick
(5368)
"To every man is given the key to open the gates of heaven;
The same key opens the gates of hell." - Buddhist
saying
Dick Kenan Tel: 770-451-0672
Retired and loving it!
WBCCI # 5368 23' 1972 LY Safari
Atlanta
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