January 30, 2012 by RV Business
Even on a cold, dank day, it gleams and shimmers, this 1957 Airstream
Flying Cloud travel trailer. But, according to a report in the
Sacramento Bee, that's nothing compared to the glint in Kevin
O'Connell's eye as he stands back and admires a classic example of
Americana.
"Look at that," he says, with a curt nod. "It's got great sex appeal.
You could line up 1,000 trailers on the street, and they'll flock to
this here Airstream."
O'Connell stands in the expansive workshop of his second-career business
and first-rank labor of love, Russian River Vintage Travel Trailers,
just off the main drag of Guerneville, Calif.
Around him are examples of a bygone period, those carefree Eisenhower
years when people hit the open road in souped-up trailers and campers
that catered to their every need as they traveled from state park to KOA
sites to see America with the family.
Some trailers, such as the Airstream and a 1955 Aljoa Sportsman, he has
refurbished piece-by-piece, inside and out, more for his own pride of
accomplishment than monetary rewards. (Though both are for sale, for
$16,000 and $13,500, respectively.) Others he repairs and restores for
people who share his nostalgic bent.
Those folks had better not be in a hurry, though: O'Connell, 65, cannot
be rushed.
"I can be a detail freak," he says. "I'm very peculiar – no, that's not
the right word – particular about the history of these units. I'd like
to get these from the original owner. And I need to have all the
original parts."
O'Connell opens the showroom and workshop to the public on most Fridays,
Saturdays and Sundays. Sometimes, during the height of tourist season in
summer, he draws 200 visitors.
"It's not really a museum or anything," he says. "I'm actually working
on restoring (the trailers). I've got clients as far away as New Zealand."
But so enamored of trailers is O'Connell that he'll take time to show
visitors the inner workings and details. In the sexy Airstream, he
points with pride to the toilet – "original porcelain," he says – and
the white-oak cabinetry polished to a luster. Then he steps out and runs
his hand along the Airstream's body, pausing at the curves and purrs,
"That's pure aircraft aluminum."
Business is not exactly booming because of the economy, O'Connell says.
But he does detect a rise in interest among collectors.
"It's a whole subculture," he says. "It's catching up with the vintage
car folks. People appreciate the craftsmanship. These trailers here,
restored right down to the frame? They're better than when they left the
factory 60 years ago. People appreciate that."
------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from this group, go to http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/AirstreamList/ and unsubscribe. To suspend delivery while traveling, simply change the delivery option to No Mail-Web only.
This site is not sponsored by or affiliated in any way with Airstream Inc, Thor Inc, or the WBCCI.
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AirstreamList/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AirstreamList/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
AirstreamList-digest@yahoogroups.com
AirstreamList-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
AirstreamList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
0 comments:
Post a Comment