[A/S] Restoring a 1960s 24' Airstream Land Yacht

[Terry Tyler <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Pam,

My wife and I have restored three Airstreams as a casual hobby. Our 
latest is a 1967 22' Airstream that came out better than any of our 
previous restorations. It seemed like the job took forever, but we were 
determined to make it happen exactly as we wanted.

Coincidentally, when we started this restoration, we had the time and 
freedom to search anywhere and everywhere for any of the parts. 
Tracking down every lead we heard about was doable for us.  We towed 
all over the continent including deep into old Mexico, across Canada, 
Alaska and every state in the union. Net result, our 1967 Airstream has 
nearly all original parts, is mechanically mint and is a beauty to 
behold. A picture is being sent to you separately. It was taken at the 
2003 International Airstream Convention in Vermont.

Unless you and your dh are mechanically inclined (very) and willing to 
aggressively and doggedly search high and low for parts (becoming 
scavengers par excellence), the restoration is going to cost more than 
a pillowcase or two full of $50 bills. Having a dozen pair of socks 
stuffed with $20 bills won't do it.

There's another expense to consider. Unless you have already paid for 
and own a restored or nearly new 3/4 ton beast of burden, add another 
pillowcase of $50s (or two) to your list.

On hindsight, if we were doing it all over again, we'd start with a 
smaller Airstream, i.e. 19' Airstream Globe Trotter (or smaller still) 
which had been restored. No one who restores Airstreams has ever told 
me they sold it for what it cost them to restore it. Maybe I haven't 
asked around enough.

Another advantage of a smaller Airstream is it can be towed safely by 
almost any full size automobile or half ton Suburban or pickup.

Lastly, the Vintage Airstream email discussion list has many 
subscribers who have done what you are considering. You may want to 
look into subscribing there, too. Also available to subscribers is the 
most comprehensive archive collection in the world on any topic 
relating to Vintage Airstreams.

Food for thought,

Terry
1967 22' Airstream Safari
1963 22' Airstream Flying Cloud
1989 32' Airstream Excella