Since pretty much Day #1 of this blog, readers have been hocking me to write about restoring vintage travel trailers. Just like remodeling a midcentury house, right? Except all the rooms — kitchen, bathroom, living room, bedroom — are all crammed into one small space, on wheels, and you get to go on vacation in it..
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..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.[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.
Thanks to YOU for giving me the flooring idea [slubby retro Congoleum tiles] !.
Shane fales says
I have a 64 shasta 16 ft that I’m resorting now.im putting cedar tung and groove walls and changed the doors and an out to put selves in it
Bernie hutter says
Beautiful vintage camper you have there . I bought one on E bay about 5 years ago but haven’t gotten to restore it yet . It’s a 1956 Playette . about 13 feet long bumper to ball hitch . I love the 50 ‘s and 60’s retro stuff . I hope to get it done this year and hook it up behind my 1959 Ford Galaxie convertible . I plan on painting it like yours Aqua and white to match my 59 ford . Thanks for sharing your story and pictures .
vickie clark says
My dream for about 15 years was to buy and fix a vintage trailer. I was finally able to afford one 2 years ago. It’s been alot of fun and i love owning mine. We haven’t taken her on a road trip yet as the underside wasn’t done when we bought it. My husband is planning on fixing it this summer. Maybe then we will try her out. In the meantime….. she’s a fun place to visit out under my mullberry tree!
Pete Whitley says
Another option is a “new” Serro Scotty. They have been true to their original design for over sixty years.
http://scottytrailers.com/
pam kueber says
Very cool!
Pete Whitley says
Thanks Bill. The new 1961 Shasta reissue that Pam mentioned is one option. They are limited edition and getting snapped up so if you want to go this route act quick. This is another new one to consider.
http://www.riversidervs.net/
If you want a restored original there are several places to look. If you want to buy an unrestored vintage trailer and want someone to restore it for you there I can guide you in the right direction. Plan on spending $15,000-$20,000 for a new vintage style trailer and $20,000 plus to have someone professionally restore the trailer of you dreams for you.
pam kueber says
Well, those are just super cute, too. Thanks, Pete, for the tip!
Bill Knight says
I really like what you did with the trailer. I am not that handy so,I’d have to buy one that’s already finished. I am truly a retro guy (former DJ ) almost 70 & my wife and want tour America and Canada in the next four or five years.
pam kueber says
Seems like you need to get yourself one of these before they are sold out, Bill: https://retrorenovation.com/2014/08/04/shasta-rv-reissue-iconic-1961-shasta-airflyte-trailer-1941-unit-special-edition-coming-september/
Jennifer says
Pete,
I saw your trailer at the Tyrone Vintage Trailer show last weekend, and it is beautiful. We are thinking about restoring one, too…a family project. My son-in-law’s father is a retired Delta mechanic as well, maybe he can help! : ) Can you contact me via my email on this post? We are in Fayetteville…
Pete Whitley says
Hi Jennifer,
Believe it or not I’m just seeing this, lol. If you need any help please give me a shout. I’m in Sharpsburg very close to the where the Tyrone Vintage Trailer show was held.
Pete
jackie blevins says
just bought a 1963 Frolic camping trailer. been well taken care of. i,m the third owner.
Debbie says
Would a Shasta 1977 18 model be a good investment
Rhonda says
Yes, it is true, we were bitten by the vintage trailer bug approximately 10 years ago. Eight years ago we brought an 1975 Airstream to reside at our home, and have since added “Frankie” and “Kenny”, a 1967 Globetrotter and a 1966 Kencraft. Several other family members have joined in the vintage trailer restoration and to see the end results is amazing. We love it!