[A/S] Boneyards

["Terry Tyler" <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Daisy,

In a recent posting, you asked where are the boneyards and are there any in the Northeast.

They are everywhere, but seldom are they called by that name. The simplest boneyard is the one you
drag into your own backyard. More than one vintage member has picked up a "wrecked" Airstream from
the local junkyard and had it delivered. Bert Kalet did that with a 34 footer, scavengered what he
wanted and eventually sold it back to the junk yard. The difference in what he paid and what he was
paid was a fraction of what the parts would have cost him on the open market. His vintage has some
of the nicest awnings and other modern equipment we've ever seen - and it was all tastefully
installed without violating the ambiance of a vintage.

The second simplest way to have a boneyard is to keep looking at old Airstreams for sale or old
Airstreams not for sale, but left out in a field or in back of a barn or - or - or. When you find
one that's a replica of yours, dicker it out, sit on your duff, dicker some more and eventually, you
may own it. Then, when it arrives in your backyard - you'll have your own personal supply building
of parts that will match your vintage perfectly. A year or two later, sell it or keep it, who cares?
You've picked it clean. Or, have you? Maybe you'll need one or two outside aluminum panels after
bumping into a tree. Then, that old shell will be worth thousands of dollars to you. 

There are other ways. For example, if all you need are old parts for your old appliances, then any
SOB might fit the bill. They are a dime a dozen in junk yards. Don't buy those, just ask for
scavenger rights or a flat fee to take anything you need or whatever you can bargain. Do you recall
that junk yard over on the other side of town? When was the last time you used a county map to drive
down or up every side road in your area? All sorts of unexpected opportunities can emerge -
especially if you drive slowly and offer a reward to your kids for the first one to spot a silver
trailer in someone's back yard.

Daisy, only those who are alert to opportunities ever hear the knock. But, believe it or not,
opportunity is always knocking. If you are always looking and listening, you will find anything you
want and will be able to pay peanuts for it. After the first 12 Airstreams, you'll have a good feel
for what's out there and more than sufficient confidence to know a good deal when you see it.

As for another place like Billy Pollard's in Jackson, Mississippi - he has the most stuff of anyone
I've ever seen. If I wanted to find something fast in my local area, I'd track down every RV dealer
and strike up casual conversations with at least four different employees, before moving on. That
might take four different visits or it might occur in one visit. 

Hope this helps,

Terry