Airstream Conversion: 1990 Ford E350 Camper Van

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Camper life is still a major force in the automotive enthusiast landscape, with pandemic-plagued consumers finding ways to escape the ordinary without relying on an airplane. This trend has also caused prices for campers and miniature RVs to skyrocket, or at least make it a highly competitive event to try and snag one. This 1990 Ford E350 conversion van was modified by Airstream when new, and turned into a very convenient home-away-from-home with plenty of features and a reasonable size. The seller notes it is very original with just 64,521 original miles. It comes loaded up with features like a toilet and a kitchenette, and it’s listed here on eBay with bids to $12,600 and no reserve.

The incredible thing about that bid price is if this Ford was just slightly ratty or had a tired interior, you wouldn’t see that kind of number. It’s all about condition when it comes to campers, and whether you can move into it as soon as you take delivery. The other big selling point is the level of features, as some campers this size just have a bed and a sink, which is certainly less complicated not not necessarily as suited for months on the road. This Ford has been given a wide assortment of features that should make it a good road trip partner able to leave home and not return for quite some time. There’s plenty of sleeping space, too, so you don’t have to take off for parts unknown with just a solitary friend or canine.

It’s nicely appointed throughout, with the driver’s compartment featuring half leather / half cloth bucket seats. There’s full curtains as well, so you can pull off and cover up all the windows to grab some Z’s. Other features include running water, shower, toilet, sofa, bed, top sleeper area, generator, micro monitor, full stove/oven, microwave, mini fridge, and more. Now, the big question that isn’t answered is whether all that equipment still works. The trouble with a camper of this vintage is that some of the more desirable items – like the generator and the running water – can be problematic by this point, either due to outright equipment failure or leaks (or both.) Fortunately, this Airstream conversion doesn’t appear to be hiding those faults.

The exterior doesn’t set my heart on fire – blame the industrial color scheme – but the inside looks to be very well preserved, and certainly quite clean. The fake wood trim still presents well, and the upholstery and carpets don’t reveal any obvious soiling. The toilet area looks clean enough to use without any fear of catching a disease, and the touchable surfaces – switchgear like the head unit and CB radio, switches, controls – all look very clean with no heavy signs of use. I’m sure up close you’ll find some flaws, and I’d still want to have the interior detailed before taking up residence, but it certainly presents well enough in photos that I’m not surprised to see the bidding so far.

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Bruce71Camino

    We have a class A RV and wish I had something this size. Not bragging, bought it when it was 5 years old at less than 1/2 the original price. Hard to park in a lot of places and barely gets double digit MPG. Current market for RVs is an aberration. These things usually depreciate like crazy. Great size for 2 people on the road. No hassle with towing a car. Maybe a newer unit makes more sense but not a bad price point for someone handy who wants an RV.

    Like 9
    • Bruce71Camino

      Forgot to mention that the brand you buy can be a huge factor. This is an iconic brand

      Like 5
  2. Howard A. Howard AMember

    I can just see this thing laying on it’s side in some of our gusty winds out here. Tear that top “pod” right off, it would. It’s a clumsy looking arrangement, and I wouldn’t want to drive it. These top heavy vehicles really need dual rear wheels, and many a white knuckled driver found that out the hard way. Like driving a box truck with single tires. It’s a nice unit, in that once you get there, or cushy ride for the passengers. Fuel mileage in the single digits, and pulling anything will result in “gallons per mile”, not that it’s anything unusual with these. Can’t be a “miser” driving this. Many went with small motorhomes like the Cortes coming up after scary rides in these, and these quickly fell out of favor.

    Like 2
  3. Joe

    Listing already canceled.

    Like 0
  4. t-bone BOB

    Ended: Sep 14, 2021 , 9:34PM
    Starting bid:US $0.01
    [ 0 bids ]

    Located in:Severn, Maryland

    Like 0
  5. Bill McCoskey Bill McCoskeyMember

    This is actually in my neighborhood, and I looked at it earlier this year. While it looks big on the outside, it’s amazingly tiny on the inside. I would not suggest this for more than 2 people without kids. Weekend use only, as it does not have a “Full” bathroom, only a toilet sitting directly above the waste tank, in front of the 2 back doors.

    Like 3
    • Erica Sherwood

      There’s also a shower/tub combo off the right of the toilet. You are right it’s tight for more than two people however we made ours work for 4 weeks straight with two adults and a 13 year old. We spent a lot of time outside. We ended up selling the 1994 model and got a 97 which has a bigger shower in the toilet area. We went over 2000 miles and because of the additional sway bars underneath and some steering upgrades, we had no problem in the open planes winds of up to 30mph. Yes the Airstream is iconic and holds its value for sure. I’ve always owned Airstreams and ever lost money when we decided to get a different one.

      Like 0
  6. Fahrvergnugen FahrvergnugenMember

    Saw the clone to this one parked along Henry Hudson Pkwy W in Riverdale Bx NYC yesterday, in ‘fair to meh’ condition.

    Like 0

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