Road Icon: Join the Airstream Argosy Club
In March 1972, when the first Airstream Argosy rolled out of the company’s newly opened manufacturing plant in Versailles, Ohio, it marked a pivot for the venerable brand—one not entirely welcomed by Airstream enthusiasts. Until that point, the iconic company had almost exclusively produced high-end, shiny aluminum trailers that turned heads on the highway. That shine—that distinction, that head-turning quality—was something of a status symbol.
But while the Argosy was designed much like the standard Airstream, it didn’t have the shine. It was painted white. The sidewalls were still aluminum, but they were occasionally made from damaged panels, and the trailer’s end-caps were made from plastic and steel. By painting the trailer, the company concealed blemishes and cheaper material.
Photo Credit: Airstream
“It was a recycling method,” explains Dan Maul, the visitor experience coordinator at the Airstream Heritage Center in Jackson Center, Ohio. “We wanted to take the aerodynamic design and other cues from the Airstream and create a less-expensive travel trailer.”
The Argosy was also a way for Airstream to experiment and reach new customers amidst the 1970s economic malaise. Depending on the model, Argosy trailers could be had for a few thousand dollars less than their pure-bred counterparts; they featured concepts like wraparound windows, narrower widths on some trailers, a rear bedroom and composite aluminum flooring.
In certain eyes, it was a great success. Maul estimates a few thousand Argosy trailers sold during an initial eight-year run, and the ability to test new features helped Airstream launch into the motorhome space, too. But some Airstream owners refused to accept Argosy owners as their brethren. For decades, the Airstream Club International (which is independently run by enthusiasts) refused to let Argosy owners join up or attend events.
Photo Credit: Airstream
Due to the same economic conditions that spawned the Argosy in the first place, the Versailles plant was closed in the late ’70s. Airstream was acquired by THOR Industries and the Argosy line went out of production (though the name reemerged briefly as a fifth wheel concept). In 1991, club members finally relented, and Argosy trailers—steadily becoming classics—were welcomed at rallies.
“There are still a few members out there who remember the days when the Argosy was not permitted,” lifetime club member Kevin Allen wrote in an Airstream forum. “Fortunately, this group is a small minority.”
Today, Maul says, the Airstream Argosy is growing in popularity—not only because it’s a vintage unit, but because white panels allow owners to customize the exterior. “A lot of the hype came after the fact,” he says. “These days we celebrate all the models. It is part of our family now.”
This article originally appeared in Wildsam magazine. For more Wildsam content, sign up for our newsletter.
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