How do you find out how much to sell an antique pop-up for?

[Märk]

I'm in a bit of a dilema as I want to sell my antique pop-up (circa 71) and... I think this is the first time in my life I did a search for the make & model online, at auction places, and craigslist and there are 0 hits... ever. It was bought by my family back in '71, but now it needs to go to someone willing to restore it.

My dilema is I think I have something as, it was the king of the models back then (biggest, least sold model, sleeps 11) purchased with accessories and everything is still original even the cloth top. When I brought it camping people would swarm us to check it out the last cloth-top pop-up camper they saw was 20 years ago, or their parents used to take them in one back in the 70's and they couldn't believe how mint it still is (the roof is still waterproof and original, but the cover when closed is beginning to let water in, and floor has just started to become spongy). I'm in no position to restore it.

What would you do for pricing if you truelly believed you had the only remaining high-end brand antique camper of this sort still original, that has just come to the point it should be restored (passers by considered it in mint shape 3 years ago), and have absolutely no reference to its value? Thanks

[Bumpyroad]

is there a web site of collectors of that specific unit, such as for old airstreams. if not, it is little more than a very old RV and somebody collecting them would be rare.
bumpy

[jerem0621]

I bought an Apache Eagle for $60.00 and it was usable but very dirty. I had more in the tires than I did in the trailer. I cleaned it up a bit and got everything working and sold it for $575.00. I never camped in it.

with a road cover and soft floor its going to need a total disassembly and rebuild. Many of these tent trailers use the plywood floors as part of the frame structure to support the body.

The road cover will be about $200.00-$300.00 to have reconstructed. The canvas itself is around $900.00 from Bear Creek Canvas.

Buying your camper sight unseen my minds eye would estimate repairs to be in the neighborhood of $2500.00 by the time I replace the canvas, road cover, bed foam, floor, paint, and depending on weight adding trailer brakes. (I don't tow over 1000 LBS without trailer brakes if I can help it.)

Here is the break down that I would expect before I even walked up on your trailer.

$300.00 - Road Cover
$900.00 - Canvas
$400.00 - Bed foam
$300.00 - Tires, including new spare
$250.00 - Trailer brakes
$350.00 - floor repair/paint/personalization.

I love tent campers and I think they are worth saving.. but thats just me. There is no cult following for vintage tent trailers like there is for Canned Ham trailers and Airstreams. Its kind of sad too as I really like these folding marvels.

I'd probably put the trailer on the market for $750.00 expecting $400-600 being the final sell price range.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[tatest]

The only way to really find out is get it into the antique/classic car auction stream and see what happens to the sale price as speculators play with it. It needs to be well enough known to attract buyers to the auction, and that might not even happen the first time it is offered.

[v7]

Rainy,
could you link me to some serch that shows that ?
i'm in NJ ,
looking
willing to drive to about half of PA, and i saw nothing decent in that price range .

rainy029 wrote:
In my opinion, older pop-up campers do not hold the same value and appeal as say an antique car does. Finding a buyer is gonna be hard. I see pop-ups listed on craigslist in my area for 500-1000 that are in decent shape and need no work.. that don't sell to quickly. I'm sorry but I just don't see a market in restoring a pop-up.

Personally, I would list it on ebay with a reserve of what you are will to sell it for and see what happens. You never know what might happen.

[Bumpyroad]

RimCountry wrote:
400...? If it's everything that you say it is, why not start at 4 THOUSAND and let them work you down? You don't need an expert on vintage recreational vehicles... you need and expert haggler! (IMHO)

well I think starting at $4,000 will scare everybody off. start at $1,000-2,000.
bumpy

[wthibeaux]

In 1995 we sold our 72 Venture by Starcraft for $1000. It was a pretty basic model, but in solid condition.

[RimCountry]

400...? If it's everything that you say it is, why not start at 4 THOUSAND and let them work you down? You don't need an expert on vintage recreational vehicles... you need and expert haggler! (IMHO)

[Märk]

Thanks all, I think you're all correct.

There's a lot of things that can happen, for things to work like I'm dreaming I'd need a couple of people looking for the brand camper I have followed with some knowledge of the brand back in the 60's and 70's to know the one I have is a one of a kind. Whether those people are still alive... is for another debate.

I don't think some know what a cloth-top pup is since they went out of vogue in the early 70's. Do a google search for images of Cox camper, look for pictures of ones with 100% cloth roof and open like a rainbow. It's very unique and rare, and hasn't been made since early 70's. If you're looking for that style/100% cloth top that opens like a rainbow, there's currently only 3 for sale in the USA that I found and really can't be compared to the pop-ups locally with hard tops which have been made every year since late 60's and still made today. Mine seems unique because most, including the ones you'll see on the internet were the common man's model designed to be pulled by 4-6 cylinders. Mine has 4 beds, sleeps 11, and should be towed by an 8 cylinder it is a castle amongst the rare cloth tops, and trust me when I say there isn't one picture on the internet that's big like mine.

But it makes the point, I know what it is but others don't. I'd need someone who knows 60's and 70's cloth tops, to know the value and rarity of mine and that it's the "Lamborghini" of them likely and those people are likely long dead so my chances of finding people and having them get into a battle is pretty small. I'll start it at probably $400 see what happens. Thanks!

[Bumpyroad]

it is worth a lot less than you may think it is worth.
bumpy

[Francesca_Knowl]

Here's something similar-sounding that's been for sale for a month at this link

According to the ad it's been in dry storage for forty years. It's so pristine/complete that it even has the original real mattresses/canvas sleeping bags, not to mention practically unused kitchen/campware including some GRISWOLD cast iron, and even the original turquoise webbed aluminum chairs! Link to more pics

Price: $1800.00

[rainy029]

In my opinion, older pop-up campers do not hold the same value and appeal as say an antique car does. Finding a buyer is gonna be hard. I see pop-ups listed on craigslist in my area for 500-1000 that are in decent shape and need no work.. that don't sell to quickly. I'm sorry but I just don't see a market in restoring a pop-up.

Personally, I would list it on ebay with a reserve of what you are will to sell it for and see what happens. You never know what might happen.

[RimCountry]

I agree with the general consensus... but I would establish an asking price - base it on whatever you will - then allow for negotiation with the term "OBO" (Or Best Offer). The responses that you get should help you gauge the market.

[DutchmenSport]

Unfortunately, you have personal connections with the camper, and because of your personal sentiment, you value it more than someone else ever would. In the eye of the seller, it's always valued higher than what the buyer thinks it's worth.

If you really want to sell it, you'll have to just start at a price, and if it does not sell, keep lowering until someone shows interest. And if you get it down to "Free", then really ... it's valuable only to you. Sorry for the harsh reality, I don't mean to hurt your feelings.

On the other hand, depending upon who your market target audience is and who's interested you could potentially get a good price.

Considering it needs work and restoration, just put a price on it an see what happens. Who knows, "American Pickers" may show interest, or some RV renovation television show may find you!

[the_bear_II]

Mark,

I'm no expert but I think you would be hard pressed to find many folks who would consider a 70's pop up as collectible.

I would say $1500 to $2000 would be a great price for you or $1000 to $1500 a great price for the buyer who wants to put some additional cash for repairs and then use the pop-up.

In looking through Southern California Craigslist the pop-ups are going for $1000 to $1800 for most with a few up to $3800 that are fairly new and in great condition.

Maybe this website can help you price it
http://www.vintagecampers.com/restorationinfo.php