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.
Cynthia says
We ordered ours today. They said they are waiting on part(s) to get more out the door…
Rick says
Yes, I spoke with a Shasta rep yesterday and he said they were waiting on a light and door handle from manufacturers before moving into production. Once the units are assembled, they are moved to a holding area for transport and to bring them back in to add parts is way to time consuming and certainly not cost effective. I can understand why they are on hold. They do have two additional prototypes in seafoam and yellow constructed though. Looks like a bit longer than early Oct for delivery to dealers.
Rick says
Great questions, Chuck. I’m sure those of us who have put down deposits and are buying sight unseen, would LOVE to see some updates (hint, hint). They should be under construction and it seems like a lot of the recent questions on upholstery design, awning, and others could be answered at this juncture. Also, would love to see some photos posted of different colors, jalousie windows, and interior shots. Thanks!!
Rick
Chuck says
Mr. Lucas,
Great looking trailer, I have one on order. Can you give more details on wall construction? What is used to hold the framing together? Is it staples, pocket hole screws or metal plates? You stated better construction than original with newer materials. Are the walls better insulated or thicker than original?
Since production was scheduled to start this week, do you have any updated pictures?
Chuck
Ray Alaniz says
We want one, live in Edinburg, Texas 78539. this is perfect for us retired folks and our two chihuahuas !!
April says
Ray…I bought mine from Mark, at Nichols RV in Mesquite, TX. Tell him I sent ya! He’s a great guy!
Kimberly Curry says
A Facebook Group/Club is starting to form at – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1961ShastaAirflyteReissuedin2015
We are hoping to gather like minded owners of the new Reissue Shasta Airflyte and/or those who wish they had ordered one too 🙂 (You just have to love the Shasta Reissue) Hope Mr Mark Lucas will join our group too!
Shannon says
I was wondering if the dinette upholstery will have the 50s diner look in the photos above? The link below shows upholstery with a ‘v’ shape which I associate with the Shastas. Anyone comment what the original Shastas shipped with, and what the re-issue will ship with? Thanks!
https://www.facebook.com/vintagecampertrailers/photos/a.798276513547286.1073742677.128986567142954/798276776880593/?type=3&theater
pam kueber says
shannon, there are photos of the upholstery in our story…
Shannon says
Hi Pam, yes I referenced the seats in the story photos. They don’t look like the original seats, and with all the rolls & tucks these do not look as comfortable to be the (main) bed mattress as what I believe to be the original Shasta dinette seat design. Since the photos in the story were for the prototype and they look similar to the 50’s dinette seats also used in the new Riverside Retro trailer series also made in Indiana, I’m hoping they’ll be replaced by (what I believe to be) the original Shasta design seats in the shipping models — or something that will create a smooth sleeping surface anyway.
Stickbug says
I would really like to know the dimensions of the awning, Going to camp our way home and knowing the size of the “porch” would help us make the best of the trip.
Thank you
Carol says
I jumped the gun on that Mount Comfort RV Shasta Airflyte pricing…it’s actually $16499. Has anyone else seen any other pricing on this one? Also, does anyone know, is the awning larger on the 19 (compared to the 16)
Sandy says
I really would like the answer to the above question about using the bathroom with the bed made up. That’s the entire reason I ordered the 19′ so I could leave the bed made up. Can we access the bathroom with the bed down?? How about a pocket door?
Carol says
Looks like Mount Comfort RV is already taking 2015 Shasta Airflyte 19 foot orders and has set their price http://www.mountcomfortrv.com/default.asp?page=xInventoryDetail&id=826137&p=3&s=Year&d=D&sq=19 with an estimated dry weight of 2500lbs. They said if their price turns out to be higher it’s your lucky day. You still get the $15999 price. I still like the smaller version better.