Mobile Spy Ship: 1988 Airstream Executive Coach
When it comes to looking at vehicles and equipment for sale on government surplus auction sites, it’s sometimes laughable how little information is provided related to the complexity of what’s being offered. This 1988 Airstream Executive Coach totally looks like it was set up for top-secret espionage missions but the listing reads like it’s for sale by the worst buy here, pay here lot you can think of. This Airstream is huge and clearly once housed a ton of equipment, the purpose of which remains unknown. Find it here on GSA Auctions website with bids reaching just over $10,000 at the moment.
The red, white, and blue suggests that this RV-turned-spy ship wasn’t trying to hide its duties to protect the United States from nefarious communications. These days, if you saw it parked on your block, you might be more convinced it was just a team of auditors watching to see if you sold any craigslist items out of your garage that day (“Excuse me, sir, but did you sell those wheels and tires for $601 or $599….?”) These days, most of our security-driven communications monitoring is done via satellite, so a dinosaur like this isn’t much use.
I’m sure there was far, far more equipment stored in here at one time, but perhaps it wasn’t overly laden with 1980s computer monitors and Tandy keyboards. Sometimes, when we see the stereotypical FBI agent in the movies, they just need a set of headphones and some heat-sensing equipment to know how many thugs they’re up against that are behind the brick wall trying to bust out a safe. Again, however, the gigantic motorhome painted red, white, and blue would likely stand out parked near a deserted alley way.
The listing does confirm it needs new tires and that you’ll need a truck with a winch to move it; presumably, this translates to meaning it doesn’t run. The fact that bidders have already pushed it to $10,000 likely means there’s more than enough potential here to justify the risk, especially if some of those bidders are assuming it was just parked in different locations and didn’t rack up enough mileage to overly stress any of the core mechanical systems. Mileage is listed as just 8,199, and if that’s accurate, $10k starts to look like a very good price. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Chuck F. for the find.
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Comments
This was a NASA machine, evidenced by the color scheme and the shape of the logo sticker removed from the side.
That is one of NASA’s rigs. See the lead photo from below.
https://www.airstream.com/blog/driven-by-legacy/
Hmm, not sure, that lead photo looks like a GMC and not the Airstream featured. NASA pixxed away so much money, it’s anyones guess what this really did.
Being an Airstream site, it’s definitely not a GMC. Further down, they show an Airstream hearse.
Looks to me more like a NASA/USAF communications monitoring van used during testing aircraft that do not exist ! :)
It’s listed under the category NASA Shuttle/Hubble, so guessing monitoring space flights.
The article said it was for transporting astronauts to the launch pad from 1983-2011.
with that roof mounted stuff I would venture to guess it was some sort of portable storm monitoring and warning rig
The link the 2nd comment was on.
Ground control to Major Tom,,
…that was the first thing that came to my mind when I saw this vessel!
Buy this and you will be definitely the talk of the campground. Pretty cool and probably cost the taxpayers a couple hundred grand back in the 80’s.
That is one long vehicle! That rear overhang is just nuts! VIN says it is a GM P32 with a 454 bbl, which I would guess struggles to move this thing around with anything resembling urgency.
454 4bbl I meant to say.
Its not measured in miles to the gallon but gallons to the mile !
I had a 32 foot 89 holiday rambler with a p30 chassis and 454 and it would have needed 2 engines to get moving !
This is overloaded and is going to be quite a job to modify for camping
The 454-barrel carburetor is a technology that I must have.
heck yeah…that 454 must be pinned just gettin that Bahemith to 55…presumably it’ll do 55 of course🤔😏
Those are JATO (jet assisted take off) tubes above and behind the front wheel.
Imagine pulling into a campground and wearing all black suits with the dark sunglasses and black hat. A total Twilight Zone moment. After a few hours (and paranoid rumors) you’d be the only rig in the park… NICE!!
Look at all the spots that just opened up,,
It probably runs very well but with California stupid emissions laws you have to tow it off government property after that put your temp tag on it and drive it home
Ghost Busters iV
I loved the over-the-top advertising for their other rigs: “…the overwhelming look of wonder and joy on the driver’s face…”.
This is really cool that it was owned by NASA at one point. Still makes me think of the movie Stripes when I see one of these, either the GMC or Airstream versions.
If diesel powered it would be useless in CA, without an engine swap. But, presuming it is gasoline, it would be a neat ride to Burning Man, but too long for many campsites. And if you look at it like furnishing an apartment, rather than the custom motor home stuff, it could be done on the cheap. Think angle brackets to screw things to the floor. And the chairs shown would be fine for roaming on your computer when nature was too much for you. And, I bet the wind gage still works.
It’s probably fast enough to get passed by loaded logging trucks when driving any road with hills. A mid sixties VW bus might well crush this in a drag race. I wonder how big the fuel tank is for this beast. I’d love it.
This monster is probably front wheel drive too. It looks like it based off the GMC dual rear axel motor homes.
Rear wheel drive. GMC built theirs starting in 1973, Airstream in 1974.
This monster is probably front wheel drive too. It looks like it based off the GMC dual rear axel motor homes.
excellent write up. One can tell by the comment section. Jeff sets a good tone, now –
who are the over 1, 2K$ bidders? 100K$?
Someone who rents vehicles to movie studios might buy it for use in a movie or accommodation for the actors.
Since it California probably from edwards Air Force base which was the back up landing site for the shuttles but that site was not used very often
RV interiors can be done very nicely with off the rack home improvement cabinets and appliances and inexpensive furnishings if you can do the work yourself
Love the comment show up wearing black suits and sunglasses
You would most likely gather a crowd asking questions rather than empty the place out though
I read, Airstream was very influential in NASA, but I don’t think this was for the astronauts. Images show an Airstream, but not a tandem axle, for transporting astronauts. Fact is, I can’t find any images for this vehicle, and for good reason. Who knows what the real reason for this vehicle was, IRS surveillance? High paid weather folks to predict a 50/50 chance of rain? Santa Claus’ trip progress? Who knows?
Could have been for IRS surveillance…it is after all, pretty inconspicuous. Lol!
While it would take some work to finish this into a motor home it would make a great home on wheels.