Re: [A/S] '67 safari

["Terry Tyler" <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi David,

Lori (Andy) from Inland RV is correct when he said: "There are several places that have parts for
the older Airstreams." David, it may take time to find the window you need and you may have to
substitute something else until then. But --

First, some Airstream dealers have a "boneyard" that looks like a mismash of odd parts, but which
contains "parts no longer available." If you expect to call them and order a part, you may be
whistling in the dark. One way we've found for locating parts no longer available is to go directly
to the source. It's common knowledge the Airstream dealer in Jackson, Mississippi has 25 year old
(and older) used parts that are still untouched beneath "stuff" piled on top of "stuff." The only
way to find the window you're looking for is to go there yourself and ask the dealer if he can help
you. And, like rare books, if you find your rare window, expect to pay a premium price. 

Another option is to make a game of finding abandoned Airstreams. When you find a Safari, offer to
buy it from the owner, if you can find him. Many vintage owners have a salvage vehicle from which
they scavenger parts. That option may sound crude, but it's the equivalent of having your own parts
department for your own specific Airstream. 

We've been in Deming, NM only two days and already I've found one 13 panel Airstream (in town on
Business 10 with two SOBs on either side of it) that might make an excellent "parts department" for
someone with an identical unit being restored. Two months ago in Ajo, Arizona, we found two
abandoned Airstreams (no wheels) that could be bought for a song. Neither of them had broken
windows. My point? Opportunities are everywhere for anyone with patience, perseverance and a bit of
creative problem solving. The fact that they may be in remote locations is all part of the game.

Thirdly, there are parts managers at Airstream dealerships who have an uncanny knack for locating
parts that are no longer available. They don't advertise their skill, perhaps because they aren't
always successful or possibly, they don't want to be inundated with labor intensive requests. How do
you find them? Lurk on this list? Call every parts manager to find out what he can do? Ask any
Airstreamer who has restored his Airstream who was most helpful in finding parts? 

Fourthly, some Airstream dealers have an unstated, unpublicized hobby of restoring their own older
Airstreams. They have exceptional skills for finding parts. Will helping them find parts they need
improve your chances of finding parts you need? Is reciprocity alive and well? One way to find these
dealers is to visit every Airstream dealership during your travels around the continent. Most owners
of Vintage Airstreams have a perpetual list of parts they hope to find and are always ready with
conversational starters (topics and questions). 

Fifthly, while you are at it, visit all the RV dealers who "used to be Airstream dealers." It may
surprise you what "Airstream stock" is left over and gathering dust on their shelves. Example:
During our Alaska trip, a small window was broken by a rock. We covered it with carpet until
returning home. We towed the Airstream to an ex-Airstream dealership in a small Upstate New York
village. He took one look at the window, went out to his storage trailer, pulled out an exact
duplicate window, installed it in our Airstream and an hour later, we paid the bill and left with a
brand new window installed. How does one find these dealers? We used the list published annually in
past WBCCI Membership Directories. That data is readily available to any WBCCI member from their own
collection of directories, from directories collected by friends, from directories at the WBCCI main
office in Ohio or from other sources. 

David, none of these suggestions are simple. All require effort, homework, a strategy and time. The
bits and pieces of data I've offered here are only tips of the iceberg. Just because you can't find
what you want and none of your friends know any more than you know - doesn't mean the parts are not
available. It only means you haven't yet found what you're looking for. The way to find what you're
looking for is to keep looking - persistence, persistence and more persistence. 

Warm holiday wishes,

Terry
mailto:tylerbears@airstream.net