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
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........
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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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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Topic: Airstream`s, anyone interested
