The 1961 Shasta Airflyte canned ham trailer is coming back! Well, in a limited edition run, that is. To mark its 75th anniversary, Shasta RV this September will launch production of 1,941 copies of the company’s iconic 1961 Shasta Airflyte travel trailer. On the outside, you likely won’t be able to distinguish the old from the new. On the inside: The reproduction anniversary Shasta will get a vintage look like the original, too, but with modern mechanicals and plumbing. Sticker price is expected to run $15,000 to $17,000. On Wednesday, I spoke with company President Mark Lucas about the introduction – and I’m excited.
First, props to RV Daily Report, which first reported this story. And, thanks to reader Shara, who tipped us to this news.
My interview with Mark Lucas, president of Shasta RV
I tracked Lucas down while he was waiting to get on an airplane in Knoxville, Tenn. To be sure, he sounded juiced about the project, too.
“Shasta is the oldest name in the industry,” he said. “We started in 1941, and are still in production today – even older than Airstream, for example.” Launched in 1941 – 1,941 reproductions to celebrate the 75th anniversary – get it?
Lucas told me that after he joined the company two years ago, he began to notice that competitors were increasingly putting retro-iconic cues on to their products – cues that were basically imitating some of the classic 1961 Shasta features – like the “canned ham” shape and Shasta wings.
Just how popular was that original ’61 Airflyte? Lucas explained that Shasta first introduced the “canned ham” shape in 1954, built in Shasta’s Los Angeles plant on another model trailer… the Airflyte was introduced in 1961… and by 1967, the look was over.
During that time span, though, Shasta was #1 in the world, with five production facilities in the U.S., including one in Goshen, Indiana, the historic epicenter of trailer manufacturing, he said. Today, the company still operates two production facilities, both in Middlebury, Indiana.
Looking at what was happening in the increasingly retro-inspired RV market, Lucas told me he thought, “Why aren’t we in this game?” And as he dug deeper, “Why don’t we just reissue the original?”
Lucas said that he is a “car guy.” The 1960 Cadillac in the glamour shot, above, belongs to his wife — that’s him, with the first reproduction Airflyte. He knew – from being a car guy – that the first step to creating a repro was to get his hands on an original.
Wanted: 1961 Shasta Airflyte for parts – all of them!
So, he went hunting for a 1961 Shasta Airflyte, and once he found it, brought it into one of the plants to take a look at. His partner in flying-under-the-corporate-radar skunks works crime was Mark Dunithan, Shasta RV’s head engineer.
Mark Dunithan — on the right, with Lucas — was a car guy, too, Lucas told me. “He drives a ’53 Chevy pickup that looks like it was found new in a barn. He was a great partner. He really jumped into this project.”
The two Marks – along with the help of craftspeople at the plant – got to work. Within two days, the vintage Shasta was stripped down to its frame. The idea was to disassemble it, learn from it, and use the pieces as a guide for new patterns and parts specifications. (Ultimately, the vintage model was also reassembled and restored.) The Shasta RV team also found old design materials in their archives that helped.
Other employees also were eager to be a part of the special project. “Line workers worked weekends and after hours… stopping… starting – to make sure that when we walked out there, that it felt like a ‘61. There was a lot of trial and error,” Lucas said. He recalled one employee’s above-and-beyond attention to detail, “’That wing – if we move it down three inches – it will look better,’ he told me. It strikes a chord – employees are really proud that we’ve reissued this, too,” he said. “This was totally heart and soul.”
Interestingly, Lucas said, getting his hands on a vintage ‘61 Shasta in good shape took more effort than he expected. “It was hard to find one in restorable condition – either they are too far gone or already restored.” I believe this. Those canned ham Shastas: Everyone wants ‘em. Like Lucas said, they are iconic – they have ‘the look’ — and that 16’ length is kind of not too big, not too small, just right.
Creating “a 90% replica”
The team has been very successful at meeting the goal, he said. He called the 2015 model a “90% replica,” so much so that “most of the new parts will fit into the old one.” The metal siding is even applied using circa-1961 methods (which are different than today’s) to ensure a water-tight seal given the design, he said.
The interior has a retro diner feel. Interior features include:
- Birch cabinet doors with chevron cabinet pulls; birch plywood elsewhere in the interior.
- Countertops with dogbone-pattern Formica trimmed in polished aluminum edging. (Original Airflyte countertops were sparkle laminate with cracks; Lucas told me he tried to find this, but of course, we know you can’t get it any more!)
- LED lighting reproduced to look like the original ’61 Shasta Airflyte gas lamp.
- Jalousie windows!
- Bench seating upholstered in two-tone, tuck-and-roll pleather with silver welt; red has a bit of an aged look.
- Black-and-white checkerboard vinyl floor.
- And you’ll notice – that reproduction birch Shasta magazine rack hanging on the wall!
- Mechanicals – like the stove, microwave, toilet, shower – are new, but chosen to harmonize with the retro interior.
- There’s even a speaker system – but it’s hidden from apparent view, Lucas said.
Exterior colors, painted to look just like the original:
- Seafoam Green
- Buttercup Yellow
- Matador Red – the color from GM in 1961, Lucas said.
You can get one starting in September
That red baby we’re seeing in these photos is Job #1. “We’re building a turquoise and yellow this week,” Lucas said. “The first week of September, we’ll have full production. Each of our two production facilities will be making between 40 and 45 a day, to start, ramping up to 60 a day.” Production will continue until all the orders – up to 1,941 – are filled.
Lucas told me that RV dealers who have been carrying one or more of Shasta’s four current product lines will get priority in submitting orders for the 2015 models. “Shasta has been around for a long time – people who have been with us – we want to reward those dealers.” (Note, Lucas explained to me that unlike auto dealerships, RV dealers can carry any model from any manufacturer.)
A lot of dealers are already submitting orders, he said – which is also helping the company to tweak colors. To order one — head to Shasta RV’s website and use the Dealer Locator.
Want to guess which color is in the lead? Which color would you choose?
Would the company consider extending the run – or making this a permanent addition to the product line? Lucas pretty much told me: No. “I think it takes away the specialness if we extend the run,” he said. Boo to the hoo. How about: Will we see some new, more retro-styled Shastas in the future? Like a good company executive, Lucas would not hint at future plans. Okay, I’ll take that as a ‘maybe’ — fingers crossed – bring on the retro!
How does Lucas feel about all this? We are having a great conversation. Lucas seems thrilled with how the 2015 model turned out and even gets – kinda gushy — which really impresses me. “It made me feel like I’m in mother’s kitchen, which is absolutely a place where I feel at home and loved.” Awwww. We understand.
He his wife have four children of their own now, and he says that he will be buying one of the 2015 Airflytes, for sure. “I’ll take it to the soccer games on Saturday – watch all four kids – hang out there all day — use it as base camp,” he said.
“I feel a huge responsibility to be at the helm of this brand name, which for a lot of people is tied to their childhood – to trips with their families to Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon…. I want to honor the brand — don’t tarnish those memories – and make those memories again. That’s what I want my kids to remember.”
Link love:
Update: Where to get information about specifications etc.:
If you have any questions about specifications or delivery or any other such technical issue, Mark contributed this information (excerpted here) down in a comment on 9/23. I am excerpting it here to make it easier for buyers and potential buyers to spot, if they want or need further information. Note: Such questions will not be answered in our comments section, you need to go to the resources Mark identifies:
Hello all-
Thanks everyone for the overwhelming interest in the re-issue of the Shasta Airflyte. There is a lot of information swirling around concerning this product, and many of us are becoming concerned about the flow of ACCURATE information.
CURRENTLY, THERE ARE ONLY TWO SOURCES FOR THE LATEST AND MOST ACCURATE INFORMATION:
1. YOUR LOCAL DEALER – http://WWW.SHASTARVING.COM HAS A DEALER LOCATOR WHERE YOU CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH THE CLOSEST SHASTA DEALER
2. THE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/1961ShastaAirflyteReissuedin2015/
WHICH WAS NOT STARTED BY AND IS NOT MAINTAINED BY SHASTA, BUT RECEIVES FREQUENT UPDATES AND HAS SEVERAL DEALER MEMBERS
Again, I’d like to thank Pam and her group for the great article and getting everyone as enthused as she is about this great period in American design….
Thanks again to Pam. And within the next hour, an update will be posted to the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/1961ShastaAirflyteReissuedin2015/) concerning dry weight, awnings, grab handles, spare tires, the start of production and remaining units.
Mark Lucas
President/General Manager
Shasta RV
All material in this story copyright Retro Renovation 2014.
Damian says
Pam,
Thank you so much for your profound inlightening suggestion. Speaking with my dealer goes without saying. With this being a foram to discuss the Shasta Travel trailer I thought other folks may not have realized the specification changes noted in the latest information.
PS… ALL CAPS in emails is recognized as yelling!!!
pam kueber says
okay – sorry! I, too, am frustrated with lack of information, and it stressed me out. My apologies. Thank you for sharing.
Just to make it super clear: I don’t have the details on ANY of these questions – we just reported the story as it was explained to us, originally…
Rick says
Just spoke with Shasta. The “dry-weight” of the unit is going to come in at right around 2,300 lbs. (+ or – 30 lbs or so.), no 1,840 as originally mentioned in the video. Seems that the frame, the additional wet bath components, tanks, etc. increased the weight. This is with an empty propane tank and no battery. So add about another 85 lbs just for full propane tank and a battery and you will be pushing 2,400 lbs.
Your Rubicon should still handle this. I’m towing with a Jeep Liberty 3.7L tow rated at 5,000 lbs., which is way over capacity for a Liberty. You have more HP and pound feet of torque in your Rubicon than I do in the Liberty. Just make sure you have a weight distribution hitch with sway control due to the high profile nature of your Jeep.
pam kueber says
Okay. But again, my disclaimer: We have no knowledge or expertise about any of this, here. Consult with the company….
Rick says
I thought that’s what I did. I spoke with Shasta. They are the company. If one person, such as myself, consults the “company” do you not want us to post our findings here?
Jeanne says
Rick – as a “first time owner” of any type of travel trailer, I thank you for the follow-up, comments posted from you and the others. I am learning lots from this blog. I especially enjoy the excitement and positive comments posted regarding this “Winged Shasta”!
pam kueber says
I said that for everybody else and also because you gave specific advice about towing capacity for another vehicle. I’ve never had a story like this become a “forum” for so much back and forth about a product. At this point – I’m trying to figure out how to handle it. Honestly: I want Shasta RV to start their own Forum to answer their product questions!!!!
Shannon says
Hi Damian,
With due respect to Pam and her tremendous part in getting the word out for Shasta (they haven’t had to do much in the way of marketing thanks in large part to her and Mt. Comfort RV imho), there is a dedicated Facebook group for the 1961 Re-issue that provides more detailed, confirmed information and has files stored with specifications. It has both dealers and Mark Lucas’s wife as members providing information. It’s a great rumor collecting and answering forum because you’re right, we all need a place to put what we know out there and get feedback. Kimberley Curry provided the FB URL at the top of the comments here. Or just type in ‘shasta 1961 re-issue’ on your FB profile if you have one to find it.
Damian says
Hello all,
I noticed the latest pic’s and specifications now list the dry weight as under 2500. When we originally ordered ours in yellow the specifications listed the dry weight under 2000. We are planing on pulling ours with a 2014 Jeep Rubacone. Now I’m getting nervous that we will not have enough capacity to pull the now 2500 dry weight and have enough power for two adults and extras to have fun on our trips. Does antone know why the dry weight changed? Thanks, Damian
pam kueber says
Please contact the company or your retailer directly with these questions!
Craig says
Man this little camper is going to grow wings. Oh wait – too late! Like many others I have ordered mine sight unseen (red 19) and find it odd there is no reference whatsoever to the 2015 Airflyte on the Shasta website. Hopefully this will change soon and include some missing details such as spare tire availability, awning included or optional, current production status etc. Not a huge deal as I will make it work no matter what.
Rick says
Craig and others, go to this link to see newer photos taken last week that include the awning which comes with the trailer. http://www.mountcomfortrv.com/default.asp?page=xInventoryDetail&id=861705&p=1&s=Year&d=D&sq=shasta&fr=xAllInventory
The spare tire is a conundrum, as I don’t know about attaching it to the rear. One would need to have a shop weld something to the frame, because there is not enough of a bumper support to attach anything on to it. Perhaps someone who is far more adept at this kind of mod than I could weigh in. Here’s another website to go to, to better understand what I’m talking about. http://www.retrotrailerdesign.com/traveltrailers.html
Craig says
Thanks Rick. I wasn’t so much wondering about mounting the spare but rather if a spare tire was even included. The link to the additional pics was also enlightening – The ceiling vent fan (12V?) does exist – good, the front and rear cargo doors don’t appear to lock – bad. I also miss the original grab handle by the door and wonder now if the new door latch is key lockable.
Rick says
Good point. No mention of a spare. I do like the rear spare tire mount idea though. It looks 12V, so it would be an easy swap to install a Fantastic fan as the dimensions are the same. Yes!! The Bargman assist/grab handle. This has been really bugging me and I can’t find an original or repro one anywhere, although I continue to search. Why no assist handle? It’s not that I’m old, it’s just that it was a part of the original coaches. Here’s a link to one that’s lighted that is retro looking. http://www.ebay.com/itm/200715288278?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Carol says
There’s a new video tour showing the inside of the Seafoam Green and Butternut Yellow trailers. http://youtu.be/KgIMAnnY1m4?list=UUgs8x0INSlL0vj_6j3mvysQ I have have to say I really like the yellow interior along side the wood. Soo excited!
Damian says
Hi Carol,
Thanks so much for sharing the new video. We ordered the Shasta in yellow. Really liking how everything is coming together. Damian☺️
Becky says
You could always get the windows ‘frosted’ by adding a simple stick on plastic window product that sticks on. You can find it at Lowes and Home Depot in a variety of patterns and it doesn’t use adhesive. You spray water with a drop or so of dish soap on the window, then put the cut-to-size (by you, with scissors) piece onto the window, and use a credit card or squeegee made for this purpose to slide across the plastic to get the bubbles out. I use it on the side windows of my front door, and it’s great. You can’t make out anything but it lets light in.
April says
You can buy iron vinyl (it’s clear and one side has sticky back) to water proof a curtain of coordinating fabric that matches the rest of your curtains or cut down a premade window shower curtain.
Rick says
Pam is totally correct. From the floor plan in the 19′, the window is to the back adjacent to the gaucho and not part of the bathroom wall. Yes, the plastic curtain is a bit cheesy, and all the window frosting/curtain backing suggestions are good ones. Candidly, I like the light coming into the bathroom, but the frosting of the windows and curtain mod will be a must do.
Jeff Davison says
Since the 19 foot is still being designed, is there a possibility the bathroom windows could be frosted? (Or maybe use an accordion-type curtain) The plastic curtains look cheap. We per-ordered the 19 FT model earlier this month, but are concerned about the bathroom window placement and privacy.
pam kueber says
I found these floorplans on another site — I have no idea if they are official or final. Looks to me like there is not a window in the bathroom of the 19′ unit. Re glass: I think it is super easy to find films that can be applied to glass interiors to frost them…http://smalltrailerenthusiast.com/2014/09/11/2015-shasta-airflyte-update/
NOTE: This is NOT the official site for this info. You all need to contact Shasta RV using the link in the main story!
Lisa Davison says
We ordered a 19 ft in red and are really excited. After looking at the pictures, we are beginning to have some concerns. The window in the bathroom looks so low and is not frosted, we wonder about the functionality of having it in there. The curtains appear to be some form of transparent shower curtain, we are afraid that we will be experiencing our grand kids full moons on a daily occurrence…not to mention occasionally. I hope that the manufacturers figure this out before starting production on the 19 ft. Is there a way to get word of our concerns?
Damian says
Thanks for the updated pictures. It is nice to see other angles of the Shasta.
Rick says
To Max and others interested in interior shots and colors, Mount Comfort RV is really ahead in keeping us informed. Thanks to Steve there for confirming my wife’s fear that it wasn’t the camera, but alas, the color of the interior seating. It’s blue. Shasta says there intent was not to match, but to “complement” colors. Truly a mistake, in my humble opinion, for the seafoam green exterior. Use this link to see for yourself. http://www.mountcomfortrv.com/default.asp?page=xInventoryDetail&id=861706&p=1&s=Year&d=D&sq=shasta&fr=xAllInventory
I know it’s way too late to change this at this stage of the game. I’ve already sought out and found a very nice seafoam boat/auto upholstery fabric and will not doubt be making my own mod at a reputable upholstery shop. May not be as big a deal for many as it is for my wife who was already building her interior design around seafoam. Details, details…
Jeanne Tomb says
Just plain excited as an SOTF.