There are few vehicles more iconically American than an Airstream camping trailer. Sure, to go you have to tow, but whether you have a brand-new pickup or a resto-mod classic truck, you’ll be going in style.
The Pick of the Day is a 1973 Airstream Land Yacht being advertised on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Tempe, Arizona.
“This very cool all original 1973 Airstream was just traded in by an older couple who owned it since new!” the dealer reports.
“They had a ton of fun and long years of memories of California road trips and trips down Baja Mexico.
“Original aluminum is overall good condition with some sun damage up top. Also, some tire blowout damage on both sides behind the wheels but easily repairable.
“All glass is watertight and crack free. The interior is completely original and ready for a clean vintage preservation or make it your own and modernize the interior.”
The dealer adds that the RV’s smaller size means it can be towed “by most V8 vehicles.”
Airstream is the creation of Wally Byam, who was born on the Fourth of July in 1896 and was the grandson of pioneers who traveled West on the Oregon Trail in a mule-drawn wagon. His wife didn’t enjoy tent camping so Byam created an alternative, putting a tent atop a Model T chassis in the late 1920s.
Unhappy with the result, a teardrop-style shelter replaced the tent. People who saw the new trailer liked it and Byam published DYI plans in Popular Mechanics magazine and started building examples for sale. By 1931, he opened a small trailer-building company in Culver City, California.
During World War II, Byam went to work at Curtis Wright Industries, building aluminum-bodied aircraft. After the war, Byam applied his new skills back into building travel trailers, which he promoted not only across the country but with caravans around the world.
The Pick of the Day is offered for $22,900 and can be viewed on ClassicCars.com.
Wow! I love the Airstreams, but wouldn’t pay more than $5500 for that one. Even without all the damage!
Agreed
What’s the length?
Seems like a lot of money for an original condition 1973 model. And I see some exterior damage on the right side front (right of the hitch). Good luck. The interior likely needs a total refresh.
I lived in L.A.
Everything is 3x as expensive as anywhwere else in the US.
Maybe that’s why all these crzy prices keep poping up.
This won’t last long at this price, absolute basket cases are selling for $10-12k with restored prices reaching $60-70k check out the modern looking restored jobs. Airstream marketplace.
‘Had an Airstream about this vintage , had it towed up to the top of our mountain property, and , OMG! the guy pulling it with his MONSTER diesel simply plowed through the flora and faunal to plop it where we said to “Drop it !”. And then he plowed on to leave – hilarious !
The hilltop rodents loved their new digs !
Years later , with the onset of my mother’s dementia , we sold our beloved property – the land had become a drought stricken wasteland ; dead from the ground to skies. A month later a fire roared across the hills to the horizon and torched those sad 10 acres in 5 minutes.
Seeing this trailer brought back so many memories – thank you.
Too expensive for all the repairs and age!
Agreed way too much