1975 Airstream Excella Desert Rose Is Looking for a New Home, Can Be a Unique Side Hustle

Folks, feast your eyes upon the machine we see in the gallery and try to remember when you last saw a unit this old in this sort of shape. What we're looking at is nothing more than a 1975 Airstream Excella, one that can accommodate up to four guests. Did I mention that its current bid is at no less than $1,000? That's right, but there is a reserve, so you'll have to join the bidding war in order to see if it's yours or not. Then again, you could wait out the auction - there are no bids just yet (at the time of publishing) - and contact the seller afterward. Maybe you can get a better deal.

Now, this unit has been posted by fsbovehicles, an eBay user with a 100% positive rating who has sold over 1.3K items on this famous platform. Also, there's something you should know about fsbovehicles: every single one of their listings is vehicle-oriented. They sell 18-wheelers, trailers, old hot rods, classic cars, you name it.

Well, one of the items on their list is this 1975 Excella, a model that, honestly, isn't one of the most common out there, even though this lineup was carried through the years until 2001. According to sources, starting with 2002, the Excella was simply known as the Classic, one of Airstream's most beloved modern units.

The unit before us is one of the models that is as close to the first model year as possible; according to sources, the Excella 500 (seen in the gallery) was first launched in 1971 and ran through 1979, and 4 years off that target isn't all that bad, especially for collectors. Oh, and as we can clearly see, this one's ready for use, which is the true strong point here.

Regarding the exterior, we only have one image available, and from this perspective, everything looks perfect. The aluminum shell still shines in the setting sun and reflects the images around as if it were a mirror. The windows also appear to be just what the doctor ordered, and while it may appear to be so, there is no awning. Since this unit may have been used as an Air BnB, you can expect an exterior shell that is in working order.

This whole idea of a BnB in the middle of nowhere becomes even more apparent the moment we step inside the Excella. However, it's also once we take our first steps into the Excella that we can start to see some of the work that went into restoring this unit, and even some features and spaces that are sure to require extra attention from the future owners.

Now, at first glance, the Excella comes across as a rather dreamy space, with a forward lounge on one side, ready with an L-shaped couch and coffee table sitting against a backdrop of windows all around, and as we head toward the rear, we lock eyes with what appears to be a modular couch sitting across from a dinette that has that retro feel. This is brought on by the presence of an old-timey fridge design and the color palette chosen for the job.

At the very rear, a bathroom is spotted sharing the same wall as the galley. The last space is the bedroom with an elevated mattress that runs east-west, a massive bulb for a reading light, and that classic Airstream window in the background. Be sure to take note of things like the AC, the tiles in the shower stall, and that old-school heater or fireplace. I noticed a telescope in one of the images, but that doesn't seem to be mentioned in the list of features.

Yet, this beauty isn't perfect. As I explored the details and images offered by fsbovehicles, I noticed some features had been restored in a rather hurried fashion, or this puppy was starting to fall apart. For example, by the entrance to the unit, we can spot some paint all over the floor, or whatever that may be, paneling behind the galley seems to be exposed, and behind the fireplace, the floor shows even more damage. The bathroom isn't in the greatest shape, either.

But it's the bedroom I'm most worried about. In one image, we can see that the bedroom king mattress is sitting atop a construction that appears to be completed with some wood panels and simply painted over. If you want to turn this one back into a money-maker, you'll need to redo this portion of the unit; just some advice on how to maximize your cash flow. Oh, and you may want to do something about the panel around the bedroom window coming undone.

If you do fall in love with what you see and feel that you'd make a great owner for this 1975 Airstream Excella, drop your bid, call fsbovehicles, or head out to Williams, Arizona, to see it in person. Just don't forget to ask for an inspection before you do; maybe there's more damage than I could spot. Nonetheless, this is a unique opportunity, to say the least.