minigoogoo
Member
I cannot say for sure, but we may be the only people in the US who have owned two Sprinter Westfalias! If 250 were imported into the US, we have owned 0.8% of the total available stock (compared to 0.4% for most 'single Westy' owners...).
A little over three years ago, we started with Westy #189, now living happily with a lovely couple down in California (and re-christened the 'Silver Flyer'). Aside from the Mercedes kit and decal removal, we didn't do too much to the rig. We owned it for about 16 months before (sadly) selling it to help fund a new home purchase.
At that point, I bought an NCV3 cargo van, intending to do a self-built conversion. I made a few modifications and additions (windows, crew bench seat, etc.), but life and careers got in the way of finishing that project. Sold it a month ago, intent on buying another Westy.
After nearly two years away from Westy ownership, we now own #59. Purchased on the east coast, and unable to swing enough time to bring it home in one trip, it has been hibernating with family in Michigan for a few weeks. I'm off on Saturday afternoon to retrieve it, and will bring it back to the moist Pacific NW next week. We're really excited to have a blue one (I've heard that there are only 5, 7, or 10 of the blue ones in the US...). We think it is a nice change from the previous silver body.
This one is a bit of a cosmetic project, partly due to age, and partly due to a previous owner who was a bit sloppy with the wax. I've already ordered many bits of MB black plastic (all of which are surprisingly inexpensive), which will replace the wax stained (and/or faded) black parts around the body. New bumper covers are on order, the Mercedes kit is in-hand, and I have an extra set of steel wheels that will be sandblasted and powdercoated dark gray before going on the van. The Airstream decals and Dodge badging will go away, as will the silver and blue stripes. The days are numbered for the running boards and batwing antenna as well...
For those who are students of such things, this van seems like a bit of an oddity in the Airstream import/update schedule. As stated, it is #59, so it is early in the US build sequence. It has the older 'italic' Airstream logos (falling off), which to me go along with the early build number. Yet, it also has running boards, which I had understood was an addition to later vans, along with alloy wheels (which ours does not have). It also has the Airstream installed grab handle on the upper cabinet (later addition), which our #189 van did not have... I guess none of that really matters, as it is in good condition, with relatively low miles, and ready for our family to use as much as possible!
Stay tuned, and I'll post updates as various parts of the clean-up are completed.
A little over three years ago, we started with Westy #189, now living happily with a lovely couple down in California (and re-christened the 'Silver Flyer'). Aside from the Mercedes kit and decal removal, we didn't do too much to the rig. We owned it for about 16 months before (sadly) selling it to help fund a new home purchase.
At that point, I bought an NCV3 cargo van, intending to do a self-built conversion. I made a few modifications and additions (windows, crew bench seat, etc.), but life and careers got in the way of finishing that project. Sold it a month ago, intent on buying another Westy.
After nearly two years away from Westy ownership, we now own #59. Purchased on the east coast, and unable to swing enough time to bring it home in one trip, it has been hibernating with family in Michigan for a few weeks. I'm off on Saturday afternoon to retrieve it, and will bring it back to the moist Pacific NW next week. We're really excited to have a blue one (I've heard that there are only 5, 7, or 10 of the blue ones in the US...). We think it is a nice change from the previous silver body.
This one is a bit of a cosmetic project, partly due to age, and partly due to a previous owner who was a bit sloppy with the wax. I've already ordered many bits of MB black plastic (all of which are surprisingly inexpensive), which will replace the wax stained (and/or faded) black parts around the body. New bumper covers are on order, the Mercedes kit is in-hand, and I have an extra set of steel wheels that will be sandblasted and powdercoated dark gray before going on the van. The Airstream decals and Dodge badging will go away, as will the silver and blue stripes. The days are numbered for the running boards and batwing antenna as well...
For those who are students of such things, this van seems like a bit of an oddity in the Airstream import/update schedule. As stated, it is #59, so it is early in the US build sequence. It has the older 'italic' Airstream logos (falling off), which to me go along with the early build number. Yet, it also has running boards, which I had understood was an addition to later vans, along with alloy wheels (which ours does not have). It also has the Airstream installed grab handle on the upper cabinet (later addition), which our #189 van did not have... I guess none of that really matters, as it is in good condition, with relatively low miles, and ready for our family to use as much as possible!
Stay tuned, and I'll post updates as various parts of the clean-up are completed.