I think I ought to get my 2 cents worth in here. In regard to the costs of
Airstreams in the good old days. I was an active RVer in the 70s when my
present 75 Airstream 31 sovereign was new. I can tell you they were just as
expensive then as they are now in comparable dollars. I stayed at several
retiree parks in Scottsdale AZ in the seventies and the Airstreams were all
owned by well fixed retiree's. My 1975 31 ft Sovereign cost $13,750 dollars
in 1975. I have the original Bill of Sale. Airstreams were designed for 2
people with an occasional guest. They were designed for retired couples with
money and time on their hands who didn't like cold weather. At the same time
I was camping in a 1973 Fan Lee Liner that cost 3200 dollars. A good 31 foot
SOB trailer cost in the range of 5500-6500 dollars. The Airstream was and is
a prestige item and catered to as it does now, well to do retiree's.
I think the only thing that has changed is now there is a demand for old
"vintage" Airstreams. Don't get me wrong, I am just as taken by the good
looks and durability of an Airstream. I have wanted one since I saw them in
1973 and now I have one.
Dave Carr
WBCCI 2275
VAC
31 ft 75 soverign
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2000 9:30 AM
Subject: Re: [VAC] Thinking out loud..
> Hi, Nick, I have some thoughts on this also. I am going to my local
unit's
> get together in July and meeting these folks for the first time. I am the
> only Vintage member and I am wondering how I am going to fit in.
> I think most of us would have had a lot in common with the people in the
book
> that you mention but perhaps the present owners of new AS are the same
> people, just older and more conservative? I wonder if the amount of money
> spent on a new AS today is comparative to what a new one cost in 1960? I
> have a feeling that todays are more expensive and aimed toward a different
> lifestyle, more of the "let's take it all with us" type than the "let's go
> have an adventure type". I cannot imagine owning one of the new ones. Can
> you imagine one of the new ones in Africa? or in the streets of a European
> city?
> I don't remember when I first became aware of the AS - 60s maybe- but I
have
> wanted one ever since. I finally got one in 1985 and still own it and it
> will go to my kids when I can no longer use it. As someone said on this
list
> - even when it is in the back yard, it represents freedom.
> After I meet the group in Durango, I will give you another report on the
> likness, difference in the groups. One thing I have found is that they
all
> seem to be friendly so far, and helpful. I couldn't get to the Memoral
Day
> gathering that I had signed up for and I got a personal note from the
folks
> holding the next one, hoping I could get there.
>
> Just Plain Polly
> 1964 Globetrotter
> WCBBI 7113
>
