corky
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1964 Shasta 16-SCS
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Post by corky on Dec 19, 2013 12:30:12 GMT -8
Hey folks,
There's a farmer around the corner from me, (in Georgia), who buys and sells old stuff, by putting his stuff in his front pasture by the highway to display. My grandson and I were goofing around today while he took a "sick-day" from school, (otherwise known as a "Pops-therapy-day"), and look what appeared in the farmers pasture:
We stopped for a visit. The guy has no idea what he's got, having acquired it to complete a trade for a horse--no kidding! I'm guessing its a 63 or 64 Astrodome, what do you all think?
Although ole Corky's acquisition budget has been devastated by a very bad year, if any of you are interested I would be willing to act as advance recon for you.
Fair warning: one look inside confirmed this would be a complete rebuild. Prior owners were not resto-oriented, and only saw this ole beauty as basic camper/hunting/etc shelter. It's been completely gutted then redone inside with 2x4's, flat panels of 1/4" plywood, and paint...there doesn't appear to be anything original inside. It'd have to be torn down to the frame to bring her back from the brink...not in my wheelhouse at this stage of the game!
What's something like this worth? His first reply was $650, but you know how that goes!
Cheers!
Corky
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Dec 19, 2013 12:49:58 GMT -8
Nothing inside? If the skin is in great condition, $300. I may be feeling miserly today, but given it needs everything, and there isn't even a template for a resto, I wouldn't do more than that.
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corky
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1964 Shasta 16-SCS
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Post by corky on Dec 19, 2013 13:10:13 GMT -8
Nothing inside? If the skin is in great condition, $300. I may be feeling miserly today, but given it needs everything, and there isn't even a template for a resto, I wouldn't do more than that.
Hi Hamlet. It's not nothing, but all the original stuff appears to be gone inside and has been replaced with what I politely would call "redneck reconstruction"! 
To my mind, it's pretty much only a palate to begin a total project, the original frame, metal, windows, 6-lug axle, and what you see of the unique outside shape of the Astrodome. The wings are gone, the door is missing the triangular window, parts are broken , etc. etc...But on the plus side it looks like the mattress is in the top sleeper.
It would take a special kind of maniac to take this one on; but in my old car and tractor days, it seems we always had such fun fanatics in our groups...don't know about here yet on that front, but I sure enjoy showing the potential catalyst!
Corky
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Dec 19, 2013 13:18:42 GMT -8
I agree, corky. This one is not for the faint of heart, and would need someone with more than just basic fix-it skills. But for someone who'd do it anyway, it could be a wonderful starting place. I still wouldn't go much higher than $300 unless the guy could prove that all the rot was taken care of correctly. There are still great bargains to be found, but at $650, it might be a decent price, but not a great bargain. That being said, if we were in the market, we'd bring an ice pick and $300 in one pocket and $100 in the other and have a chat with the owner.
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mobiltec
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Dec 19, 2013 13:44:35 GMT -8
I think differently concerning these matters but he would have to pay me to remove it from his pasture. Not trying to be funny. This thing is just not worth paying for unless you absolutely MUST have a dome, can't find one anywhere else and you are good at building cabinets. I have not found one of these yet that has not been completely inundated with rot. So I look at it as a box full of headaches.
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corky
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1964 Shasta 16-SCS
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Post by corky on Dec 19, 2013 13:48:01 GMT -8
We think alike!
But life has brought me to both a more pessimistic AND optimistic view of things. Pessimistic in approaching something like this under the assumption that it's rotted through-and-through; but Optimistic that if I'm crazy enough to take it on, that me and my buds can pull a rabbit out of the hat!
However, my times and trials are currently such that this ole gem won't make my project list. But fun to ponder the possibilities with others similarly-situated and with poorly-developed senses of fear, and highly-developed senses of adventure!
Cheers!
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Post by schweetcruisers on Dec 19, 2013 14:29:39 GMT -8
Just an FYI it's a Astroflyte, not a Astrodome. The Dome's had a bathroom, and the flytes didn't. Judging by the windows it doesn't have the bathroom.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Dec 19, 2013 15:04:09 GMT -8
Just an FYI it's a Astroflyte, not a Astrodome. The Dome's had a bathroom, and the flytes didn't. Judging by the windows it doesn't have the bathroom. Oh ok.. Thanks for that. Anyhow I've never seen one that wasn't rotten to the core. They just seem to be prone to leakage up there where the inside curve of the "dome" is. |
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Post by schweetcruisers on Dec 19, 2013 15:17:55 GMT -8
Funny I was looking at again and I doubt it's a Shasta. The upper Front window is too small and looks like it pops open(Shasta's were fixed) the side pop out vents are too big and Shasta didn't use Jalousie dinette windows on either the Astrodome or Flyte.
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Post by bigbill on Dec 19, 2013 15:30:27 GMT -8
If the walls have been redone with 2 x 4s as stated in the first post I think it would be a ground up project requiring everything to be redone. NO THANKS I at least like some parts for patterns.
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Dec 19, 2013 18:51:51 GMT -8
This looks like a definite project for someone with a huge imagination. It could be "cut off" ... Like some others I know.... I do not believe it was a Shasta either, but there were a few other companies that made this style in the same era. (Triangular door window? Mobile Scout, perhaps?)
Personally $650? Probably not. $6.50, maybe.
I would agree with Hamlet's approach...set a limit and stick to it, and use a little "lacking" to bargain with. I've always thought the bunk-over style screamed of early-60's vintage camping. It would make a great "blank slate".
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corky
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1964 Shasta 16-SCS
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Post by corky on Dec 19, 2013 19:52:20 GMT -8
Interesting! The more I look at my own pictures, the more I agree this is probably something other than a Shasta. I don't remember seeing any branding on it, and where the wings would have been, there were no mounting holes in the metal.
As for the interior, I think most of the exposed 2x4 framing was as replacement for the casework, rather than the exterior walls. If I were to guess without looking again, I'd guess the shadetree framing was done all from the inside with no outside-in work at all.
This one's staying in the cow pasture as far as I'm concerned, but that bunk cubby did look kinda cool!
Corky
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Dec 19, 2013 20:12:42 GMT -8
It would make a great hunting trailer. Or chicken coop! Parts trailer... Not impossible to restore but why waste your time on something like that? It would have to be someone who is just in love with this particular trailer. Or a flipper.  I've noticed that trailer sales have kind of gotten stuck lately on CL. Suddenly, they aren't selling like they used to for the high prices people are asking. We may have seen the Vintage Trailer Bubble burst. Then again it is winter. Not the season really. |
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Post by vikx on Dec 19, 2013 22:23:53 GMT -8
I think the hams are still popular, but newer models-people want canned hams with golden glow wood.
I agree with the others, this dome isn't worth messing with. A CUT session might be fun...
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Dec 23, 2013 15:57:13 GMT -8
I lack the common sense not to buy something like this. Fortunately I also lack the funds to buy it.
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I've noticed that trailer sales have kind of gotten stuck lately on CL. Suddenly, they aren't selling like they used to for the high prices people are asking. We may have seen the Vintage Trailer Bubble burst. Then again it is winter. Not the season really.
