Description
“A true design icon, ready to be your mobile Office, Summer/ Garden House, or for conversion to a Camper, or commercial use as a Hairdressing Salon, Airbnb, a Bar, or some form of catering unit.”
Vehicle Overview
Fresh from a seven-month renovation, this Airstream Safari sits on a single axle (rarer and more desirable than the twin axle) and is just nineteen feet long and seven feet wide, making it big enough to support any adventure you care to think of, while still being small enough to thread along narrow country lanes behind the family jalopy.
It was built at Jackson Centre in Ohio in 1962, which means it was certainly built of the thicker-gauge aluminium the firm used until prices rose so high as to make it unviable, forcing a switch to a thinner material.
The interior is refinished but bare, leaving it for the new owners to fit out; benefitting from a stable door, which the seller thinks is “possibly the only one in existence on a period Airstream” and not to be confused with the “door within the door” normally found in this decade of vans.
It is rare for an Airstream to come available in this state of readiness, as usually they are offered in a rough and unrestored state, or completely fitted out at a premium price.
The versatility of this highly attractive project, is limited only by your imagination. Exterior
The renovation saw the exterior being repaired where necessary before being polished to a rich lustre. The owner suspects the Airstream didn’t see much work in its life as the front is clear and free of the sort of stonechips and dinks a lot of towing will inevitably cause.
This happy state of affairs meant that curation and preservation was therefore the name of the game and he was happy to leave a few dents and dinks, and even the odd patch, acknowledging that it is sixty two years old and there’s no good reason to pretend otherwise; like us, he believes the resulting patina only adds to its character and vintage appeal.
Every seal has been renewed on the tinted windows, along with some of the exterior window flashings. * Two new window winders for one of the end windows, and retaining clips are currently on order with Vintage Trailer Supply from America.
One of the windows is louvred for better ventilation, and this, along with the newly created stable door, is something you’ll appreciate as you’re drinking something long and cold in there in the heat of the summer.
The 15-inch steel wheels are enhanced by chrome hubcaps and a pair of matching 205/ 70R15 Hifly tyres.
There is an awning with support poles too, and this is stored outside the main ‘van along with the electric cable. There’s an external locker too, which used to contain the batteries and could be repurposed: slide-out barbeque anyone?
And, to protect the finish, it comes with a large cover to protect it from the elements when it isn’t being used.
Interior
The inside might be bare but it hasn’t been neglected. Having been accessed from below and above, the original floor was found to be in mint condition, bar a small area near the door, which was replaced.
A wooden laminate flooring was installed, leaving a clear, neatly finished area upon which to build your dream interior. Of course, this might be as simple as installing a desk and a couple of chairs; it’s so lovely in here there’s probably no need to overthink it.
Further groundwork was undertaken, including insulating where possible, before painting it with Antique White Rustoleum, a finish that is both durable and neutral.
The electrical system comprises a double 240-volt socket and a twenty-five metre lead to plug into the mains. Again, the van can be fitted out to whatever degree you need, and it would take much – LED lighting and a decent solar panel, for instance – to make it an off-grid living and working space.
There is a built-in cupboard at one end too, plus direct access to the outside via a bottom-hinged door: come the next plague they could post a tray of food through it so you’d never need to interact with another human if you didn’t want to - and I think we can all see the appeal of that now and then, eh?
Mechanical
The UK hitch is removable, for added security, which is a nice touch and isn’t something we see very often.
It also comes with two adjustable axle stands and chucks, for levelling and keeping it wobble-free when you’re pitched.
The van has numerous hatches which give access to the outside, as well as a battery box.
The stable door is a unique and very useful feature.
Comes with an American sender unit for the breaks.
History Highlights
The history file contains some invoices for work and materials used during the renovation, and the van itself comes with two keys.
At £18, 500 ono, it represents a great investment for the future.
What use would you put it to? Maybe a garden room to write the great novel in you. Or a place to work from home. Or even a mobile exhibition room for your business. Or a commercial conversion.
