Beschreibung
To be offered by Silverstone Auctions as part of the ‘Live Online NEC Classic Sale’ from 1:00pm on 13th and 14th November 2020. Please see the Silverstone Auctions website listing for my direct contact number, full details on how to register for bidding and how to book a viewing. Thank you for looking and feel free to call or mail with any further questions on the car or buying process – Steven.
LOT NO. 261 - 1975 AIRSTREAM ARGOSY 20' MOTORHOME
Estimate: £10, 000 - £14, 000
Buyers Premium 12. 5% + VAT
"Live the Airstream Dream" and tour with style in this rarely seen premium American Motorhome.
Details Specification;
- UK registered since 2010, the Argosy 20’ Motorhome is a rare vehicle in its own right, even in the USA
- Beautifully engineered using traditional aviation techniques in aluminium as per the classic caravans
- Presented in a classic Airstream colour combination with the option to strip back, reveal and polish the aluminium bodywork
- Basic American running gear; Chevrolet Chassis with a 350ci engine and automatic gearbox
- One of only two in the UK, offered from a private collection and driven to the auction in the Midlands from Surrey
Highly versatile, refurbish, repurpose or just have fun
In 2015, our vendor, himself a fan of the weird and wonderful, was invited to buy this Argosy Motorhome from a family in North Yorkshire, and, having never seen one before, was intrigued. Whilst not really 'weird and wonderful' this junior Airstream is a little unusual with a certain quirky appeal and consequently, a deal was struck, shortly followed by a baptism-of-fire drive home from Yorkshire to Surrey with a hefty amount of horsepower under his right foot, and a surprisingly lightweight body shrouded around him.
“She can pick up her skirt and run” he gleefully tells us as he describes what it’s like to drive. It's fitted with a particularly small-diameter steering wheel which, despite the power steering, makes course-plotting a bit busier than one might truly enjoy, but with sufficient horsepower from the Chevy V8 to keep up with modern traffic, it’s not an especially difficult vehicle to travel distances in.
The exterior wears the traditional Creamy White paintwork with Brown stripes that most Argosy 20’s were sporting when new, and it’s true that in places it is beginning to look a little tired, however, it would brighten up beautifully with some elbow-grease. If that polishing effort was a tad too vigorous and the base aluminium was exposed, you could simply carry on and polish-up the rest of the aluminium body in classic Airstream style.
With regard to the interior, it carries the original fit-out kitchen with sink, fridge, oven and three gas hobs. It has a retro 70s feel as you’d expect, but it’s not in poor repair. There is a seating area, curtains, American sockets for the electrics, and a fixed toilet in the bathroom. At the front of the vehicle are two Blue and Cream Captain’s chairs, with an enormous hatch between them which, when opened, exposes the engine! Outside, there is a large full-side awning, but we haven’t attempted to attach it.
The speedo is in MPH, with the odometer showing 24, 421 miles, although we’ve no way to corroborate what mileage may have been covered. As we’ve said, this is an exceptionally rare vehicle, perhaps one of just two in the UK, and one that would, with a little TLC and detailing, be a comfortable motorhome for touring, secure in the knowledge that you are not going to see another one.
You can now book a one-to-one appointment (up to one hour) to view this lot at our central location Monday to Friday between Thursday 29th October - 12th November. Please contact our office on the details below to secure your appointment or to discuss the car in more detail contact Steven on the details below / using the button below. The health and safety of both our customers and team remain the utmost priority, we are therefore operating to strict COVID-19 guidelines and full instructions for arrival and inspection protocols will be given when making your appointment.
