Vintage RVs offer a unique charm and a glimpse into the golden age of travel, where adventure met retro style. Many of these classic RVs have become highly collectible due to their distinctive designs, quality craftsmanship, and nostalgic appeal. Restoring these timeless vehicles not only preserves a piece of history but can also be a rewarding project for enthusiasts. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most sought-after vintage RVs that are now worth restoring, highlighting their key features and why they’ve become valuable collectibles today.
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Airstream Safari (1950s-1970s)
The Airstream Safari is a vintage RV icon, known for its sleek, aerodynamic design and durable aluminum body. Manufactured between the 1950s and 1970s, the Safari was designed with adventure in mind, offering a lightweight yet sturdy construction. It featured spacious interiors with comfortable sleeping arrangements, a kitchen, and a bathroom, making it ideal for long road trips. The Airstream’s timeless “silver bullet” design has made it highly collectible, and its aluminum shell is easy to restore, making it a great project for enthusiasts. Restored models can fetch high prices due to their desirability among collectors.
Winnebago Brave (1966-1979)
The Winnebago Brave is a quintessential American motorhome that was first introduced in 1966. Known for its distinctive “flying W” logo and boxy design, the Brave was built for comfort and practicality. It came equipped with a V8 engine, making it powerful for its time, and offered features like a full kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping accommodations for up to six people. The Brave’s fiberglass body and simple mechanical components make it relatively easy to restore. Vintage models are highly collectible, with prices for restored versions ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 depending on condition.
Volkswagen Westfalia Camper (1950s-1970s)
The Volkswagen Westfalia Camper, commonly known as the VW Bus, is one of the most iconic and collectible camper vans. Produced from the 1950s to the 1970s, it features a pop-up roof, fold-out beds, and a compact kitchen, making it perfect for weekend getaways. The Westfalia’s air-cooled engine and simple mechanics make it a favorite among DIY restorers. The classic split-window design of early models is particularly sought after. Restored Westfalia Campers can fetch high prices, often exceeding $50,000 for well-preserved or fully restored models.
GMC Motorhome (1973-1978)
The GMC Motorhome was ahead of its time with its futuristic design and front-wheel-drive layout, which provided better handling and a smoother ride compared to other RVs of the era. It was built using lightweight aluminum and fiberglass, making it more aerodynamic and fuel-efficient. The interior featured high-quality materials and a spacious layout with modern amenities like a full kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping space for six. The GMC Motorhome is highly collectible today due to its innovative design and ease of restoration, with restored models often selling for $30,000 to $80,000.
Shasta Airflyte (1961-1969)
The Shasta Airflyte is a compact travel trailer known for its iconic “wings” on the rear corners and bright pastel colors. Its lightweight aluminum body made it easy to tow, while its compact design still offered a comfortable living space with a kitchenette, bathroom, and sleeping area. The Airflyte is highly sought after by vintage RV enthusiasts due to its unique retro styling and ease of restoration. Restored models, particularly those in their original colors, can fetch up to $20,000 or more.
Spartan Manor (1940s-1950s)
The Spartan Manor is a luxurious vintage travel trailer, built by the Spartan Aircraft Company after World War II. Known for its polished aluminum exterior and Art Deco design elements, the Manor was built to last, using aircraft-quality materials and construction techniques. The spacious interior featured wood paneling, full kitchens, and bathrooms, making it one of the most luxurious RVs of its time. Spartan Manors are highly collectible today, with fully restored models selling for $40,000 to $100,000 depending on condition and originality.
Airstream Argosy (1970s)
The Airstream Argosy was a budget-friendly version of the classic Airstream, featuring a painted aluminum exterior instead of the polished aluminum found on other models. Despite its lower price, the Argosy was still well-built, with many of the same features as its more expensive counterparts, including a fully-equipped kitchen and sleeping space for up to four people. Its unique painted exterior makes it stand out from other Airstreams, and it’s a great option for collectors looking for something a little different. Restored Argosy models can fetch between $15,000 and $30,000.
Holiday Rambler Alumalite (1960s-1970s)
The Holiday Rambler Alumalite was one of the first RVs to feature an all-aluminum frame, making it lightweight and resistant to rust. The exterior was also made from aluminum, ensuring durability and longevity. Inside, the Alumalite offered a spacious layout with a full kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping accommodations for up to six people. The use of high-quality materials and innovative design made the Alumalite a popular choice among RV enthusiasts. Today, it’s highly collectible, with restored models selling for $20,000 to $50,000.
Silver Streak Clipper (1940s-1960s)
The Silver Streak Clipper is another competitor to Airstream, featuring a similar polished aluminum exterior but with its own unique design elements. Built for durability and luxury, the Clipper was made from aircraft-grade aluminum and featured a spacious interior with wood paneling, a full kitchen, and a bathroom. Its Art Deco styling and high-quality construction make it highly collectible today. Restored Silver Streak Clippers can sell for $30,000 to $70,000 depending on condition and originality.
Boler Trailer (1968-1980)
The Boler Trailer is a compact, lightweight travel trailer made from fiberglass, making it easy to tow and resistant to rust. Its unique egg-shaped design and small footprint made it a favorite for weekend getaways. Despite its small size, the Boler offered a comfortable living space with a kitchenette, sleeping area, and small bathroom. The fiberglass body is easy to restore, and its distinctive look makes it highly collectible. Restored Bolers can sell for $10,000 to $25,000, depending on condition.
Airstream Bambi (1960s-1970s)
The Airstream Bambi is a smaller version of the classic Airstream trailer, designed for couples or small families. Its compact size made it easier to tow, while its lightweight aluminum body ensured durability. Inside, the Bambi featured a cozy living space with a small kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area. Despite its smaller size, the Bambi retains all the iconic design elements of larger Airstreams, making it highly collectible. Restored Bambi models can sell for $20,000 to $50,000.
Clark Cortez Motorhome (1963-1970)
The Clark Cortez was one of the first front-wheel-drive motorhomes, offering better maneuverability and a lower center of gravity than its competitors. Powered by a Chrysler slant-six engine, the Cortez was known for its durability and ease of handling. The interior featured a full kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping space for four, with a compact but comfortable layout. The Cortez’s unique design and solid construction make it a favorite among collectors, with restored models selling for $20,000 to $40,000.
Travco 270 (1960s-1970s)
The Travco 270 is a classic motorhome known for its distinctive fiberglass body and smooth, aerodynamic design. Powered by a Chrysler V8 engine, the Travco 270 was built for long road trips, offering a spacious interior with a full kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping space for six. Its durable fiberglass construction makes it relatively easy to restore, and its unique design makes it highly collectible. Restored Travco 270s can sell for $25,000 to $50,000 depending on condition.
Serro Scotty Sportsman (1960s-1970s)
The Serro Scotty Sportsman is a small, lightweight travel trailer known for its distinctive “canned ham” shape and compact design. Built with an aluminum exterior and simple interior features like a kitchenette and sleeping area, the Scotty was designed for weekend getaways. Its small size and lightweight construction make it easy to tow and restore. The Scotty’s retro design and affordability make it highly collectible, with restored models selling for $10,000 to $20,000.
Airstream Excella (1970s-1980s)
The Airstream Excella was a larger, more luxurious version of the classic Airstream trailer. Featuring a polished aluminum body and spacious interiors, the Excella was designed for long-term travel and comfortable living. It came equipped with a full kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping accommodations for up to six people. The Excella’s timeless design and high-quality construction make it a favorite among collectors, with restored models often selling for $30,000 to $80,000.
Chinook Motorhome (1960s-1970s)
The Chinook Motorhome was a compact yet versatile RV known for its fiberglass construction and aerodynamic design. It was powered by a Ford or Dodge V8 engine, offering plenty of power for its size. The interior featured a small kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area, making it ideal for weekend getaways. The Chinook’s unique design and lightweight construction make it highly collectible, with restored models selling for $15,000 to $40,000.
Ultra Van (1960s)
The Ultra Van is a rare, unique motorhome built on the Chevrolet Corvair platform. Known for its lightweight aluminum and fiberglass construction, the Ultra Van featured a rear-mounted Corvair engine and a spacious interior for its size. It offered a full kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping space for four people. The Ultra Van’s distinctive design and rarity make it highly collectible today, with restored models often selling for $20,000 to $40,000.
Dodge Xplorer (1960s-1970s)
The Dodge Xplorer was a compact motorhome built on a Dodge van chassis, known for its rugged design and durable construction. It was powered by a Dodge V8 engine and featured a compact yet functional interior with a small kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area. The Xplorer’s solid construction and practical design make it a favorite among collectors and restorers. Restored models can sell for $10,000 to $30,000, depending on condition.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
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