Gutted RV! 1975 Airstream Argosy
For over 80 years, the reflective aluminum Airstream has made a stylish home away from home, recognized by camping fans and travelers everywhere. This 1975 Airstream Argosy 26 foot motorhome in Fort Wayne, Indiana left the dealership fully painted, and now wears the company’s trademark polished aluminum after a previous owner removed the paint and rubbed out the aircraft-style fuselage. Offered for sale here on eBay, the classic RV had its interior ripped out with dreams of building a mobile hair salon. At least nine bidders have a vision for the empty shell, bidding beyond $6500 so far.
As a potential classic RV buyer, I suggest never taking a project to this state without finishing the job. Deviating from the original interior forever renders the motorhome or travel trailer an owner-specific second-class citizen, sort-of like painting your house purple, putting Legos on the roof, and erecting a giant unicorn made of peat bricks in your front yard. Someone else may like it, but the pool of buyers shrinks to a puddle. That said, these empty shells are everywhere, and if you like the idea of a modernized classic, and enjoy the challenge of researching, designing, and installing all the systems needed to make a self-contained apartment function properly, this might be your lucky day.
The 26-foot Class A motorhome has become popular in recent years, being easier to park and maneuver than rolling aircraft carriers popular among the “bigger is better” crowd. Though not original, the polished aluminum looks great. The new owner may consider a painted belt line matching the height of the tail light trim, honoring the original.
What’s left of the original interior shows the leather captain’s chairs and dash controls of this Chevrolet-powered RV (Recreational Vehicle). The 454 cid (7.4L) Big Block Chevy V8 and TH400 three-speed automatic transmission would have been one of the most powerful gas engines available in ’75. This one’s been recently driven at least 250 miles and maintained a stable temperature and ran up to 70 MPH with no problems reported by the seller. Whether this silver bullet becomes a fully-updated camper or a mirror-finished Taco Truck, this Argosy deserves a second life on the open road. The dash mounted rear-view mirror seems comical today, when drivers expect a backup camera in their eight foot microcar. What would you do with this classic aluminum Airstream?
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Comments
You could play NASA and recreate the astronaut limo to the launch pad.
You will need to sell a lot of tacos.
I’d be interested if it had a Cummins instead of the 454 Chevy engine that would be lucky to get 6 mpg.
It’s so easy to say “I’d be interested, except for………..”
An Argosy was the economy version of an Airstream that why they are painted from the factory. It’s cheaper to paint than to polish and protect the clear finish of the Airstream. Not relevant to this coach considering it has been gutted the Argosy’s interior finishing were a substantial down grade in comparison to Airstream. From what I have read Airstream was trying to build a more competitive RV to compete with the masses at the time. They also made trailers in the same line. Yo my knowledge the structure of the Argosy was relatively the same not sure about the insulation or subfloor.
I’m sure this thing won’t pass many gas stations either, the 454’s were known gas hogs in their day especially in this application. I wouldn’t be surprised if it isn’t in the 3-5 MPG range. No better than my 44’ 64,000 lb. motorcoach and trailer with a 600HP Cummins. This RV I would agree it would be much better with a more modern drivetrain with an overdrive transmission.
Ruined it, it’s a TACO foodie truck. Half finished for that. Hope it has the generator. @ 3-5 MPG the big engine wouldn’t matter, don’t go far. Makes the cockpit awful hot, front engine. Needs paint, aluminum is a pain take care of.
Paint it yellow and use it to sell deep fried Twinkies at the fair
I see this as a real opportunity to have a truly modern yet retro motorhome. Call me cup half full. I see promise at that price. Endless possibilities.
My mother likes the airstream caravans
Someone just paid $8500 for this 1000000 hour project
It doesn’t need much
New engine
New transmissionadd efi and computer
And
Only a bit of work to completely redesign and build the interior
I have done accident repair on these jalopies and had a first hand opportunity to see the (£€¥bs) craftmenship
In this case , buying a running one would have been cheaper in time and money