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Airstream Motorhome History
The Airstream would not have been what it is now with out the Argosy testing.The Argosy was created between 1974-1979.
It was created by Airstream, but they gave it the name Argosy. These motorhomes were testers for the Airstream and were
not as high-tech as the future Airstreams. Argosy's were built on the Chevy P-30 serie and so where the later Airstreams.
Argosy's had an aluminum riveted look but there were some galvanized steel panels in the front and rear of the motorhome.
The Airstream company thought that the Argosy look was so great that Airstream used look for their future Airstream motorhomes
upto 1992.
In 1979, the Argosy's became discontinued and Airstream then created their first Airstream. Between 1979 and 1981, the
Excella model was born. It was very similar in comparison to the Argosy, except it was made of all Aluminium and it had a
couple more bells and whistles. During that time, in 1980, the Airstream was sold from Beatrice to Thor.
During 1982-1983, Airstream introduced it's new models; 208, 300, and 310. These numbers referred to how many feet long the
motorhome was. 280 was equal to 28 feet. To understand exactly what length an Airstream would be, all you had to do is drop the
zero and add the word feet at the end of the number. 1982 was also a revolutionary year for Airstream because this was the time
that they invented the "wood grain stripe" that they put on the sides of the motorhomes.
After the new models created in 1983, Airstream created yet two other models named 325 and 3445 in 1984. These units had a
tag axel in the rear, which made them be totally different from the older Airstreams. These units were extended to 1989. Then,
the 270 was produced. It was just the 345 in a smaller version.
1989 was a year full of hanges for Airstream. The first change was that the wood stripe on the side was removed and in it's
place is a silver burgundy paint job. Some units were also produced in silver, blue, and grey. Only in 1989 was the color blue
used.
The other big change was that Airstream created a new model, the 370. This one was with a Ford 460 and it was placed on a Gillig
chassis. 1989 was the beginning and end of this model. 15 were made during that year and so far, one has made it to 2006.
In 1991 and "92, Airstream added six inches to the 345 and the 350. They also created two new models, the 300 and 250.
People weren't satisfied with with the looks or the size of the Airstreams. They wanted bigger and better. Airstream produced
the Classic 36'. This motorhome was available in gas and deisel. This Airstream was produced until 1996 when the alumiunum skin
became too costly and people could not afford them.
Today, Airstream is still standing. You can still see them on the road or at camp grounds. They are not too costly makes them
look all the better to new RVers. One of the main reasons why people are purchasing these models is because they like that
Airstreams are more durable and are made of better quality. Airstrem has traveled through the time and their ride does not end
here.
It was said that in 2005, motorhomes were being produced, but those were just rumors and there has been no proof. On the other
hand, Airstream sent out surveys to the owners of Airstreams to here their opinions about what was like and what should be
changed, in case a new Airstream motorhome was too come in out in future years.
By Maud Schram, technical writer for www.lezebre.eu
Airstream Announces Aluminum-Bodied
G-Series Motorhomes
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An
artist's rendering of the
G-Series motorhome reveals
sweeping curves and
contemporary design
elements. |
Airstream
Inc., a division of Thor Industries,
C847, based in Jackson Center, Ohio,
announced plans to resurrect its iconic
radius-bodied "Classic" aluminum
motorhome, which originally was produced
between 1982 and 1996, with the new
gasoline-powered G-Series model. The
G-Series was designed in partnership
with BMW Group DesignworksUSA of Newbury
Park, California, to reflect the
distinct curved body that has become
synonymous with Airstream motorhomes.
BMW's
automotive design house helped to
develop design elements for the G-Series
motorhome, including exterior styling
and the interior dashboard/instrument
panel. These include the industry's
first use of superplastic-formed
aluminum panels, produced by Superform
USA. According to Airstream, the panels
will provide greater detail and
durability in the aluminum forming
process, creating a motor coach style
unlike anything currently available in
the recreation vehicle market.
More
contemporary yet functional design
aspects of the G-Series will be found in
the interior, thanks to Christopher C.
Deam, Airstream's design partner for
nearly five years. The interior will
feature contemporary styling, clean
lines, and quality materials with
innovative use of space and clever
storage solutions.
The
triple-slideout G-Series will be built
on a Workhorse W24 chassis and will be
available in 33-foot and 35-foot floor
plans. Production of the new coach is
expected to begin in early 2006. |
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