bbiwer
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1963 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by bbiwer on Dec 12, 2015 14:26:59 GMT -8
Hello I just joined here and from what I see this looks like a great group full of great information. I recently picked up a Shasta as a restoration project. I was told it was a 1966 but from all of my research that I have done so far I don't think that is correct. Mobiltec, I have watched many of your videos and let me first say they are awesome. I see your post in this thread about your 59 and to me it looks very close to what I have. Can anyone shed some light on exactly what year I have on my hands?   |
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Dec 12, 2015 15:58:34 GMT -8
bbiwer , Looks to be an Airflyte, circa 1960 - 1964. Shasta began building the Airflyte in about late 1957, and the first couple years featured the push-out Hehr windows in the front, and the rear sides along the gaucho. In 1960, they changed and started using the jalousies in those locations, like yours appears to have. In 1965 they changed over to the "toaster" body style and stopped making the canned-hams. You may be able to narrow down the manufacturing date. Yours should have the cast iron sink pit, and there may be a date stamped on the bottom of it. This would be the date of manufacture for the sink, but the trailer would have to be built later than that. There may also be a date stamped on the back side of the mirror if that is still in place.  Also, your VIN should be stamped on the tongue of the trailer (two places) and if you relay it along to our member Ross, in the Shasta VIN thread, he may be able to help narrow down the date also.  Nice score, can't wait to see more! Welcome to the madness.....
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bbiwer
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1963 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by bbiwer on Dec 12, 2015 16:33:46 GMT -8
Thank you for the info Ten. I did get the paint off the little welded on tab on the inside of the drivers side of the tongue but it's just the serial number. I can't seem to find my wire brush drill attachment to grind the paint off the other side to find the full number yet. A previous owner got a plaque stamped and attached to the rear driver side lower corner that says 66. You can see it in the photo, but I don't think it's correct. When I find my drill bit or buy a new one I'll do some paint removal and report my findings.
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bbiwer
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1963 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by bbiwer on Dec 13, 2015 8:02:51 GMT -8
I found my brush attachment and got the paint stripped off and found this. From what I have seen of these numbers it seems like it's not all there or am i missing something?  |
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Dec 13, 2015 8:19:28 GMT -8
Actually it looks like a lot to me, but then I am used to seeing the VIN numbers coming from the Leola Pennsylvania plant. They have ranged from a "P" prefix with a four or five-digit serial number. Does this number coincide with the number on the plate on the other leg of the tongue? The VIN numbers were different depending on the plant of origin. If memory serves me, by 1963 or so, there were at least 4 or 5 plants running in different parts of the country. Time to call on Ross . |
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bbiwer
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1963 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by bbiwer on Dec 13, 2015 9:59:36 GMT -8
Yes it matches the other plate but I don't see anything that correlates to the year. I saw elsewhere that the DS means it was built in Northridge, California and the PA was something that plant put in there. not sure what the 2386 represents though.
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Dec 13, 2015 11:36:19 GMT -8
Congrats on the find by the way. I have one similar but it cost me a lot more than just one song...a couple arms and a leg thrown in to boot....but I love it. The Airflyte is a cool trailer no matter how you look at them. I got mine form the second owner, who had camped in it on their property for 35+ years. Aside from a "permanent" bunk that was added, the interior was all original, and in quite good shape. Some of my photos are here: s1178.photobucket.com/user/crw2620/library/Airflyte?sort=2&page=1 |
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bbiwer
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1963 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by bbiwer on Dec 13, 2015 12:26:12 GMT -8
That looks so much like mine except I don't have the vents on the side behind the door. Those are for your fridge? Mine just has the icebox which is still in it. The original propane furnace is also still in it and it's ducted up through the roof. I can see already that it and the roof vent leaked and caused some rot in the ceiling framing. Unfortunately winter is setting in here and I won't get to do much on it until spring. Ohhh but I'm itching!
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Dec 13, 2015 16:39:40 GMT -8
My guess is 60 not 66. Yours was made in the PA plant. This is our 59:  Email Ross and he will be able to tell you the year. He is our resident expert. I want one of these trailer trailers for Christmas!  |
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bbiwer
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1963 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by bbiwer on Dec 13, 2015 17:14:21 GMT -8
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Dec 13, 2015 18:49:04 GMT -8
I thought the PA was the plant. Ross will know.
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Post by Ross on Dec 14, 2015 3:51:41 GMT -8
bbiwerThanks for you vin#. Being that this was posted in a few places, I will post to all. Your Shasta Airflyte was born in 1963, in Northridge, California. When determining the origin, you alway use the prefix letters. In you case, they would be "DS" and I am not sure what the reason for the second set of letters is. Looks like an awesome project! Ross
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bbiwer
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1963 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by bbiwer on Jan 2, 2016 12:20:37 GMT -8
So after doing lots of research and reading the forums I have come to the conclusion that I don't have the best candidate for a restoration to original. Reason being that pretty much all of the interior is missing. So I'm looking for opinions. I think we have decided that we want to keep the original layout but I have nothing as a template to go from to rebuild the original cabinets etc. What's everyone's thoughts, would you painstakingly try to get it as close as possible to original or would you throw out the rules and go with a complete custom interior design/layout, or would you go somewhere in the middle?
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jan 2, 2016 14:24:50 GMT -8
I think it was Universal who did a complete do over of his Airflyte. He added bunks and a little potty room, I think. But he did it with a generous tip of the hat to the original feel of the trailer. when we did Hamlet, we changed the configuration a bit, but with the goal of having it look original, and it does! Nobody looking at it without knowing the original floor plan would realize it didn't roll off the factory floor that way. We even raised the roof several inches in the front, and it
S not noticeable either.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Jan 2, 2016 16:39:01 GMT -8
If I had to start from ground zero I would stay with the original Airflyte layout and customize the kitchen a little. I like the golden birch interior but paint done right looks very clean and fresh. I would definitely include an AC unit and modern heat system.
Many of us are purists but since your camper is almost gutted it's a blank slate.
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