So I went to look at a real-life, actual Barth today that's for sale... a 1986 32' Regal (I think) with a tag axel. I had spoken with the owner by phone a couple weeks ago, and of course he made it sound like an absolute gem. It was great to see that distinctive "Barth" logo and design from the outside, but after he gave me the keys and I poked around it for awhile I was mostly disappointed. Dirty inside, cobwebs in and out, mismatched and peeling paint on the exterior, loud manifold leak with engine running, overall not taken care of and left in the driveway to wear out. Shame. Plus the owner mentioned that he "bought it for 21k and has about 8k in it", but he would never tell me what HIS asking price is. I.E. he's not too serious about selling and it would be waaaaaay overpriced. (TOP PHOTO)

So I'm driving home a different way, on a rural highway that I never drive. Pass through a small town and there's a self-storage place on the left... and what do I see but a Barth front end staring at me from the lawn! Sitting out in front of the storage sheds, with a couple FOR SALE signs in the windows. I think I exclaimed out loud "that's a freakin' Barth!" as I yanked hard on the steering wheel and pulled in. And the body was almost identical to the first, 32' (or so) Regal with a tag axel. Looks to be about the same age, in much better shape though. I called the number on the sign and left a message so we'll see. (BOTTOM PHOTO)

But it was very strange to run into TWO Barths on the same day, the 2nd totally by accident and within a few miles of one another. If anyone can tell me anything about the two models pictured below, that would be great.

That's truly kewl! But we Barth ownrs know that the true differentiation between Barths is the horns....

Anyway, the first one has nav lights that seem more contemporary than the second (which has nicer horns).

I think both are 33's, but there are a lot more folks on the site that can tell. The second Barth has what appears to be a more modern paint scheme (but all Barths were distinctively different).

Barthing aside, evasive owners never rang my chimes; when something is described as a "cream puff", I want to see cream.

The manifold leaks on the first pretty much certify the engine as a Chebby 454 (when WILL GM solve that issue?)

Anyway, buyers of a used motorhome need to plan to spend a few kilobucks on making it right, regardless of the care that previously went into maintenance. My Breakaway, scrupulously maintained by the prior owner, will hit around $5K for maintenance/repair/upgrades in the next couple of weeks (new heads for the engine - [ouch!] the big expense).

But after the money's spent, the coach is still a Barth!

They both are at least an 81 model year. The 1981 model year was a transitional year for round headlights - You could get a 1981 with round or square.

Because of the lack of an overhang above the front windows neither unit is newer then an 87. In 1988 the piece over the front windows became fiberglass and had a more distinctively modern bus look.

It looks like slightly different floor plans based on the side window and fridge grate in the lower picture.

The pictures show the difference between someone who is serious about selling.

Bill N.Y.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill N.Y.:
They both are at least an 81 model year. The 1981 model year was a transitional year for round headlights - You could get a 1981 with round or square.

Interesting, also regarding the front overhang. Those little age & design differences are what I still have to learn about the Barth models.

On the first one, I originally spoke with a friend of the owner who had it listed on eBay. He said it was an '88. When I talked to the owner on the phone, he said it was an '87. Then when I was looking through it yesterday, I found the registration card that says it's an '86. 1986 it is.

Still haven't heard back from the owner of the second one, which I am much more interested in. I like those horns better too, and the square fog lights.

GO FOR THE BOTTOM ONE: I have an 88 33' Regal SE and my Hadley air horns look like the top photo. Click on the middle RED botton (Gallery)
click on page 8,the 1st Barth shown is a 33'tag axle. Does this look like the 2nd Barth you saw? Keep us posted and I'll bet you are in for some fun

"THE TOY" 88 33' Regal SE Coach #3448

carl, your '88 does look a lot like the one I saw, although yours has got that post-87 windshield overhang bill mentioned. And from peering in the back window I could see that the one I saw has twin beds in back, vs. your full size. Which brings up another question, but I'll post that in a new thread.

Well I talked to the owner (of the bottom pictured Regal) today by phone. It's a 1984 model. Sounds like it's in very good shape and has been taken care of, but the $16k price tag he mentioned has pretty much put it out of my league. Oh well, I'll keep searching!

quote:

Originally posted by scottydl:
Well I talked to the owner (of the bottom pictured Regal) today by phone. It's a 1984 model. Sounds like it's in very good shape and has been taken care of, but the $16k price tag he mentioned has pretty much put it out of my league. Oh well, I'll keep searching!

Mske sure he has your phone number.