Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning

Topic: Airstream`s, anyone interested

Page: 1 2

Goldseeker

17/5/2012 at 11:40am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/3/2012

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 172

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I have loved the American Airstream Caravans since having a holiday in one in the 70's. I see on a recent TV show someone is importing these into the UK, doing them up and then selling them on.
I have an interest in doing the same thing, is there anyone around the Hampshire Wiltshire area with a similar interest that we might pool money and resources?

-------------
Target for 2012 2oz of Gold
Total for 2011 1.4oz Gold

lshipley

17/5/2012 at 1:31pm
Location: Barnsley
Outfit: Elddis Vogue 1991

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 26/4/2011

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 194

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I think you may be refering to seeing them on this weeks showing of the caravan show previous thread about the show starting http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=8&TopicID=271135&SearchPagePosition=1&search=caravan+show&searchMode=phrase&searchIn=Topic&forum=0&searchSort=dateDESC&ReturnPage=Search

but think the original program was shown can't remember if it was 1995 or 2005.

It's still been worth a watch tho.

Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!

UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

mattlad

17/5/2012 at 9:38pm
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Defender 90 and MyWay Voyager Raid

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 27/9/2006

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2883

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I think you are thinking of Sarah Jane MaGee and her company American Caravans.

I don't know if she is still going, I have not seen any new listings for quite a while.

There is a company near me called Silverbullet Caravans. It is my understanding that they started by importing Airstream caravans but they were having to do so much restoration and renovation work on them that it was easier to manufacture them from scratch.

The £ is getting stronger but I don't think there is the money in the economy to start a company up to import them........

-------------
Love a lot. Trust a few. But ALWAYS paddle your own canoe!!

Minds are like parachutes:- They only function when they are open!!!
Those who talk don't know.
Those who know don't talk.

Goldseeker

18/5/2012 at 8:55am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/3/2012

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 172

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

My idea was just to bring one over at a time.
Ive been building Motorcaravans in my spare time since 1968 so have a vague idea what to do.

-------------
Target for 2012 2oz of Gold
Total for 2011 1.4oz Gold

Goldseeker

18/5/2012 at 9:07am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/3/2012

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 172

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

double post sorry

-------------
Target for 2012 2oz of Gold
Total for 2011 1.4oz Gold

The 2 Tops

18/5/2012 at 9:34am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Swift Challenger Sport 524 VW Carave

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 01/8/2006

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4789

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

There is a caravanning programme currently being shown on Quest freeview channel. Included in the items is one about a woman who imports old Airstream caravans, refurbishes them, and sells them on. I believe it could be Sarah Jane MaGee.

It must be a very limited market, Goldseeker, and you could be competing with someone already considerably more experienced in this field.

How many people would buy one of these Airstreams? I wouldn't. They must be very heavy and require a gas-guzzler to tow them; which would reflect in low MPG, high VED, etc. And, when something broke, getting a new part would not exactly be a case of a trip to the local accessory shop. Toys for the purist, in my honest opinion.

Bertie.

-------------
The 2 Tops

Opensauce

18/5/2012 at 9:55am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4530

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

The US imports have electric brakes & 2 inch hitches which is legal to tow in UK/Europe with suitably equipped vehicle or they can be modified with new axles/hitches. The set back axles give high noseweight & require a heavy 4x4 for towing. New Airstreams with UK spec brakes & axles are now imported but massively expensive.

If you want to import an old one you can double the price you pay with transport & import costs. plenty on US ebay.

The 2 Tops

18/5/2012 at 10:11am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Swift Challenger Sport 524 VW Carave

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 01/8/2006

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4789

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Unless anyone wants to spend more time playing with the thing than holidaying in it, it sounds like a no-no to me.

Bertie.

-------------
The 2 Tops

Dave+Maria

18/5/2012 at 10:37am
Location: Wigan
Outfit: 2003 Swift Accord 490 2010 Honda CR-V

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 17/7/2007

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 664

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I have never seen the fascination with then TBH, personally I think they look rank....

-------------
Dave + Maria

664DaveS

18/5/2012 at 10:46am
Location: Shropshire
Outfit: Bailey Phoenix GT 75

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/7/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4383

Site Reviews Total:	55

Site Reviews 2024:	2
Site Reviews 2023:	8
Site Reviews 2022:	6
Site Reviews 2021:	6
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	3
Site Reviews 2018:	4

Site Nights 2024:	16
Site Nights 2023:	55
Site Nights 2022:	54
Site Nights 2021:	56
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	20
Site Nights 2018:	41

You can buy a Euro spec one new-lot of money and you need a big motor to tow them. The Caravan Club featured one in the magazine towed by a Disco 4.

-------------
DS-There's more to life than football!!!

Goldseeker

18/5/2012 at 11:53am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/3/2012

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 172

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: Originally posted by Dave+Maria on 18/5/2012
I have never seen the fascination with then TBH, personally I think they look rank....

Personally I think most modern caravans look rank, Ive never seen the fascination of pulling a hunk of plastic and fibreglass around thats near identical to everyone else's.

To each their own.

-------------
Target for 2012 2oz of Gold
Total for 2011 1.4oz Gold

Goldseeker

18/5/2012 at 11:59am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/3/2012

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 172

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Oh Ive done my research, know the costs, as Ive imported several US Mustang's and Harley's back to the UK.
I have the contacts for transportation in the US and have suitable equipment here to transport them home. Im also friends with an agent who sorts out all the shipping and taxe's etc.

I only intend importing the smaller Airstreams, which are easily towable.
I was simply curious as to whether anyone else was interested.

-------------
Target for 2012 2oz of Gold
Total for 2011 1.4oz Gold

Opensauce

18/5/2012 at 12:27pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4530

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

When you see them restored & unrestored on UK ebay, one
does wonder if they actually sell, when they are auctioned
they rarely reach anything close to what must be their
reserve price & classified ad prices are very high. What
I noticed when she was restoring them on the telly was
that she was hiring people in to do skilled work on them
like electrics & body so her costs must have been high.

If you were importing small ones that might want to be
used for touring I guess customers would want UK spec
running gear which, I think involves changing the axle.
I'm certainly a fan of them but I don't really think I'd
want to own one. I used to be into old VWs but I could'nt
be bothered in the end. I think to import & restore them
you would need to be a fan & use one & then sell it on
for the next project & so on.

phil76

18/5/2012 at 12:47pm
Location: cheshire
Outfit: bailey ranger 470 4

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 14/6/2006

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 299

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Can't say that the airstream holds any appeal for me I much prefer British design and build even with its inherent faults

michael

18/5/2012 at 1:02pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Caravan now Sold

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 23517

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

i like to see them but do not think i would like to own one.

-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.

murano

18/5/2012 at 1:06pm
Location: whitstable kent
Outfit: sterling eccles sport 584 freelander 2

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/8/2009

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1784

Site Reviews Total:	7

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I love airstreams, there is one not far from us, quite a small one, I don't know if I'd have one though, but I think they look great, don't get me wrong I love my caravan but it's pretty boring to look at .
I think if you buy one, the restoration and care is all part of it, not just the holidays you get for it,it's a labour of love and you have a passion for them, like my Toyota mr2 1988 me and hubby spend more time doing things to it than driving it sometimes, but we bought it as a un loved thing, and now it looks fab and I love it, even though there is no financial gain from restoring it.

-------------
"I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Jump To Page: 1 2
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

3638 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder