I went and did it:

[speeder]

I bought another Airstream but this time, it’s a motor home. They only made them from the late ‘70s until 1991 and they were expensive, so they are kind of rare. Awesome workmanship and build quality and like the trailers, aerodynamic w no square edges to speak of.

I know the at least one other Pelican already has one, (Tevake), His is a larger one and mine is a 28’, which has the advantage of being able to be legally parked on the street in most parts of L.A. as well as many other cities. One of my close friends in L.A. has one as well, his is a 24’.

It’s really dirty and covered in moss from sitting in a driveway in MN. for the last several years but spent most of its life in inland CA. and is consequently very clean underneath. I wasn’t going to post photos before getting it cleaned up but I couldn’t wait. I’m giddy over this thing, have always wanted one.

Oh yeah, it’s also a factory turbo diesel, (Isuzu straight-6), the only one I’ve ever seen or heard of. Gets great mpg for an RV and the rest of the chassis from the GM transmission back is a Chevy P-30, so maintenance parts are a snap. It needs brake work and all of the parts are available at NAPA and every other FLAPS.

More pics to follow when I get it clean.

[Bob Kontak]

Nice. Get your elbow grease on, it will be spectacular.

See 1:40 in. Airstream President talks of motor home Airstreams briefly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Vi37dKPCrg

Damn, I could live in that thing. Speeders, not the linked trailer.

[Ziggythecat]

Very cool.
I love the entertainment center..

[fastfredracing]

Is that an 8 track deck ? Wow, that thing is super cool . You are going to have a bad case of polisher elbow

[tevake]

Welcome to the asylum Dennis. The 28 turbo diesel is indeed a sweet spot in the lineup!
A friend has a 310 turbo diesel that he is very happy with and does lots of long trips with his. He is Mayco on airforums, and has stopped here at my place a couple of times. Those are nice sounding motors when running right.

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f311/

This is the link to your new best site, the mother load of active hands on owners and lots of help in any future issues you are sorting out. There a number of other diesel owners there also.
Pop over there and introduce yourself.

Does your rig have the rear bedroom?
You probably know the drill on restarting a machine after a long layup.
When was it last on the road?

Congrats on a good score!

Cheers Richard

[onewhippedpuppy]

Nice! I recall the job you did on the trailer, I’m sure this one will be excellent when you are done. Bonus points if you keep the original radio.

[RWebb]

wow -a rare bird

[speeder]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

Is that an 8 track deck ? Wow, that thing is super cool . You are going to have a bad case of polisher elbow

Working 8-track deck and even came w some tapes. I will be acquiring some more.

There will not be any polishing on this, just a lot of exterior cleaning and a new half windshield. Kids threw a rock at it and broke it. I like them stock, don’t like polished Airstreams.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by tevake

Welcome to the asylum Dinnis. The 28 turbo diesel is indeed a sweet spot in the lineup!
A friend has a 310 turbo diesel that he is very happy with and does lots of long trips with his. He is Mayco on airforums, and has stopped here at my place a couple of times. Those are nice sounding motors when running right.

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f311/

This is the link to your new best site, the mother load of active hands on owners and lots of help in any future issues you are sorting out. There a number of other diesel owners there also.
Pop over there and introduce yourself.

Does your rig have the rear bedroom?
You probably know the drill on restarting a machine after a long layup.
When was it last on the road?

Congrats on a good score!

Cheers Richard

Thanks, Richard. I’ll check it out for sure. It does have a rear bedroom.

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Nice! I recall the job you did on the trailer, I’m sure this one will be excellent when you are done. Bonus points if you keep the original radio.

The original stereo isn’t going anywhere, it’s one of the coolest features. I’m an originality freak w most things, especially vintage trailers and RVs.

[MBAtarga]

Hey - you can pay a pro to wash and wax it - will only set you back $300.

[rusnak]

We need more pics!

It has the body shape of a GMC pusher, but it's low to the ground like an FMC.

[Crowbob]

Wow!

Yes, more pics!

[Rick Lee]

Quite the stabbin' cabin.

[tevake]

Here is a video of Mayco heading out after a stay here.


This is a 310 turbo diesel. It has one of the nicest original finishes I've seen. Most of the classic coaches get peeling clear coat and look a bit patchy. That's why so many older airstreams end up polished.


I wasn’t able to down load the video, bummer it has good sound of the engine as he drives by me and out the driveway.

Cheers Richard

[vash]

Did you get it trucked to you?


Badass. It runs now?

[vash]

Or maybe it’s still in MN?

[tevake]

A couple more pics from here in the panhandle


The 310 diesel under the yard light and full moon.



The 310. And my 345 tucked under a giant live oak tree .

Looking forward to seeing more of your coach when you can post more pics of it.

Cheers Richard

[fanaudical]

Neat find. Kinda like buying an old boat...should be very cool when cleaned up and polished.

[LWJ]

I'm jealous!

[MRM]

Wow! Both you guys are killing me. I had no idea Airstream made self propelled RVs. A turbo diesel sounds perfect for it. Maybe a slight tune and a new chip to open that bad boy up a bit?