So here I am, finally, with a story — and it’s a fabulous one: Reader Pete shows us his 1964 Shasta Astroflyte travel trailer, which he gut-renovated inside and out. Wow, you must admit this baby has the va va voom goin’ on! Click on through to read Pete’s story…and to get to links of more photos chronicling the entire restoration process.

.
Pete writes:

Hi Pam,
. 

About five years ago we (wife Cindy, daughter Charlotte and Lane) were in the North Georgia mountains near Clayton, Ga., and I saw this strange looking trailer parked in the Walmart parking lot. It had large silver wings on the back, and I thought it looked awesome. Being a fan of late 50′s early 60′s cars with fins (I have a 1961 Comet) I did a u-turn in the street and pulled into the Walmart to take a look. It was an early 60′s Shasta Airflyte. After marveling over it, my wife and I decided that one day we would get one of these.. 

After doing months of research on all types of vintage trailers, we decided that we had to have a Shasta with wings, so we found one on Craigslist in Virginia. It was not an Airflyte but a 1964 Astroflyte, which is just like the Airflyte but it has a cabover to sleep two more people, which we needed with our family of four. Living in Atlanta I didn’t go up to Virginia to look at it (mistake), but had it shipped down. I knew that it would be a restoration and would be in rough shape, but when the courior pulled up to the house and we walked in the trailer, we were horrified. It was totally trashed. Dead mice on the floor, infested with ants, and the biting stink bugs were all over the place. It stunk like nothing else and rotted wood was everywhere.. 

Renovation in progress. Look familiar to RR readers?

I thought, “I just spent $1,200 on this.” We talked about selling it, but I decided to give a restoration a try. I’m a mechanic at Delta Air Lines and like working of things, but I’ve never restored anything of this magnitude. I worked on the weekend shift, so I had four days off during to week to work on it. A year and a half and $6,000 later it was all finished as of June of this year.. 

We have camped in the North Georgia state parks about six times and LOVE the trailer.  It really gets a lot of attention, and it is great, inexpensive activity to bring the family together. On Wednesday we take our longest trip yet to Disney World Fort Wilderness and are really looking forward to it.

The Shasta Astroflyte all set up at Disney World Fort Wilderness. Don't try to tell me you don't Wish You Were Here!

[Update: Photo live from Disney World, provided Friday, above. - Pam]

Restoring this trailer is the best decision we have made. It’s not perfect and I make plenty of mistakes but we enjoy it. I received a lot of help from the internet, especially Repairing Yesterday Travel Trailers.

Congoleum vinyl-type tile

Thanks to YOU for giving me the flooring idea [slubby retro Congoleum tiles] !. 

How many readers have a dream to buy and restore a vintage travel trailer? (Me!)
Or do you have one already? 

Related posts:

1. More vintage style travel posters, courtesy Stephan Stephan from Palm Springs weighs in on last week’s post...
2. A gorgeous vintage toilet for your retro renovation bathroom So where else can you come to swoon over beautiful...
3. Bath towels, rugs and a nice selection of shower curtains from Restoration Hardware I was at the big mall yesterday and scooted into...

Second, we often talk about vintage and upcycling, and I made Astro a sweater last year, out of recycled wool. Above: Cute overload in a handmade knit sweater and matching cap, $36 from thedoggiemarket. Owner Robin says, “That cute pug by the way is my baby, Buford. He’s a very good sport and gets lots of carrots as treats for modeling.”

Third, because I’ve been writing about handmade gifts from etsy to buy for the holidays. Doesn’t woofie deserve a little something, too? Above: More orange luv, and in granny squares, too. <3. Handmade dog sweater from HepsibabaBowWow, $54.

Fourth, some days I just want to write about cute doggies like other “normal” bloggers. Can you blame me? Above, wise leprechuan in a handmade dog sweater, $52 from HepsibabaBowWow.

Mary of HepzibabaBowWow says these chevron patterns are an homage to the 70s. You know I like that. Dog sweater from HepzibabaBowwow, $49.

The “manly granny” dog sweater by HepsibabaBowWow, $52.

Jewel tones for sure look good on the pup, she’s a “winter”. $49 from HepsibabaBowWow.

Does this sweater make my ears look big? Crocheted dog sweater from HepsibabaBowWow, $45.

Evie models a pink dog shrug, $15 from Lukesmom6.

Evie in a crocheted sweater, $25 from Lukesmom6.

Eileen’s doggay sweaters are crocheted in gay pride colors. Dog sweater $30 from TepperWear.

Amailo makes knitted dog sweaters, this one is $33. I love this mustard color, but I don’t think it’s Astro’s color. He also is a winter.

Buford looking dapper. Dog sweater is $36 from thedoggiemarket.

Amailo also is selling patterns to knit dog sweaters, this one is $5.50.

Ack! A dog backpack. Cutest. Pattern for a knitted dog backpack is $5.50 from amailo.

Ozarknomad also sells patterns. $4.50 for the dog sweater crochet pattern above.

And $5 for the dog sweater pattern above, also from ozarknomad.

You can get a handmade knitted shawl, too. $15 from amailo.

The shawl, or cowl, can be quickly converted to a cap. $18, amailo.

Does anyone try to put big dogs in sweaters? The cutie above is from asyoulikeitcrafts, £10.00 GBP

Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas from Buford. Bandana is $18 from thedoggiemarket.

All photos used here with sellers’ permission. See my etsy treasury list (holds 16) here. Thank you, and good luck with holiday sales 2011!

Related posts:

1. Made in America Holiday Gift Guide: Handmade treasures on etsy.com Yes, I would be remiss in my continuing coverage of...
2. Retro bling: Vintage beaded sweaters Now that the house is pretty much done, and the...
3. Staffordshire dogs by Beswick Ware Meet my new buddies, Will and Kate. They are small...

At Home: A Short History of Private Life

Related posts:

1. A mint-in-box vintage stove finds its home sweet home in Lawrence Bill’s knotty pine kitchen Last September, reader Tina sent me a tip that there...
2. Made in America Holiday Gift Guide — Tito’s Handmade Vodka In my Made in the USA miniseries, I’ve been trying...
3. Roller shades an excellent choice for 40s 50s and 60s window treatments After much research, I bought Smith and Noble roller shades...