CorvettCrzy
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'58 Corvette, '64 Franklin
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Post by CorvettCrzy on Feb 6, 2014 7:20:18 GMT -8
The beginning..... Found sitting next to a pond, PO used as a changing room and an occasional guest (?). Wheels were off, rear lights had pieces of roof shingles over the holes and they had used several different substances to stop a vent leak. Eventually they removed the vent and attached a piece of plexiglass with a TON of goop, tar and sealer. Couldn't get the hitch to go over the ball so we tied it to the truck with chains. Luckily we only had a few miles of back roads. Not sure what we're going to do about that yet.
Corvette 1 by Corvett crzy, on Flickr
It had been rear-ended at some point and so the PO decided the fix was to square off the back end, weld a section on to the frame, remove the pass side access door and put a "new" one in the back, cutting the skin and using the cutout piece to cover the old access hole. Looks like they shortened the J channel in the process. Repaired the back with plywood and added a floor extension.
sept913 026 by Corvett crzy, on Flickr
To fix or not to fix? You can see on the lower rr corner at the radius they trimmed the skin off that goes under the J channel, not sure how to get a good seal here if we restore the profile (without new skin). Would love to hear any ideas.
Corvette3 by Corvett crzy, on Flickr
Crud on the top! We were planning on trying to clean it off, but now we're checking in to the cost of new roof. Sounds like the shipping will cost more than the material. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
DSCN1403 by Corvett crzy, on Flickr
Interior:
sept913 008 by Corvett crzy, on Flickr
sept913 009 by Corvett crzy, on Flickr
sept913 011 by Corvett crzy, on Flickr
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Post by Hamlet on Feb 7, 2014 9:30:49 GMT -8
Absolutely, restore the great old shape at the back. This is a great little trailer. Shows Just how flexible that little 10' box can be. Congrats, it's a diamond in the rough!
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CorvettCrzy
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'58 Corvette, '64 Franklin
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Post by CorvettCrzy on Feb 7, 2014 11:25:34 GMT -8
Thanks! We originally thought she was in really bad shape, but now that I've been looking around, it seems she's in better shape than most of the projects all of you take on!
But I'm in trouble... I get about 7 hours every week totally to myself to do whatever I want (pre-school), and I just spent 2 1/2 hours of it researching trailer parts and buying aluminum screws................ not to mention I stayed up half the night!
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txoil
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1960 Shasta Deluxe 19
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Post by txoil on Feb 7, 2014 14:28:24 GMT -8
Congrats on a great find! The way I see it you have two paths to choose from with this unit... 1.) Since it apparently suffered a rear end hit, and most DEFINITELY the PO had *altered* the original sheetmetal, framing and layout, you can restore it any way you see fit, i.e., change up the layout, appliances, interior paneling, etc. and feel no guilt about it. Let your inner designer have free reign! OR 2.) You can do a faithful restoration, and return it to original condition, shape and appearance. This path will be more costly and time consuming, but if you REALLY want an original example of a canned ham, this is the way to go. In any case it is a real jewel and let us welcome you to the addiction!
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slider
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Post by slider on Feb 7, 2014 15:43:36 GMT -8
I like it. Tha'ts a cool little camper.
The good news it's yours and you can do whatever you want with it. I read in your earlier post you want to make it a palyhouse for your daughter but I would attempt to make it a fully functioning (however you define that) camper too. You may be plannig that already anyway, but you could make it like original, barbie theme or whatever you/she want, but that way it could be a playhouse most of the time and she'd probably enjoy taking her playhouse to the nearest park or something every once in a while for a campout.
I'm relatively new at this too, so I have no good advice on any of your questions but pretty sure this site has it covered. Looking forward to the posts.
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CorvettCrzy
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'58 Corvette, '64 Franklin
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Post by CorvettCrzy on Feb 7, 2014 22:06:24 GMT -8
Thanks everyone! My inclination at this point is to try to accomplish both! The reality is that we never intended to "invest" in this camper. But now that we have it, our love of old things is pulling us toward restoration as well.
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Post by vikx on Feb 7, 2014 22:07:40 GMT -8
Restore the original canned ham shape. The skin should curve around, you might even have to shorten it. Just be careful with it until the edge bend is straightened! If you lift the front/rear skins without, they will split.
You need new roof, just like we did. Silver Slop is awful stuff and won't come off. I often pick for days and sand when it's not too thick, but heavy ruins the roof. Cost $550 for new roof metal, including the front and rear skins... shipping is more.
And Finally: Send ME the heater and stove top, they take away from the overall look of the trailer....I'll pay shipping, of course.
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CorvettCrzy
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'58 Corvette, '64 Franklin
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Post by CorvettCrzy on Feb 8, 2014 6:01:01 GMT -8
I guess I'm just going to have to get out of my ROI (return on investment) mindset! Easier for me than Jim. Clearly the "return" on these little campers is enjoying the end result!
Slider.... your absolutely right, we're going to make it functional as well!
I'm hoping we can cut the rear off without removing the second wall, but we'd have to replace the skin for sure to do that, or try to put a curve in that storage door. We'll actually be short on Jrail, since they cut the excess off, the skin they folded up on the under side. We talked about shaving that radius a little past original in order to overlap the jrail onto the side that's been trimmed. Can't think of any other way to ensure a good seal.
The framing on the roof looks surprisingly good, I hadn't thought about the weight. It is a mess, sure would love to have a new roof! Any one know of a skin mfg. in the east? Shipping costs..................ALOT.
Hhhmmm............that stove top would go real well in your Little Yellow Vet..Vikx....... but I think I'll keep her together, it would hurt me to piece her out. Although it's not a popular idea around here to store the entire interior in the barn for an extended period of time! If we're not able to completely restore her, I'm determined to make sure someone can.
I've got your re-do bookmarked, seem to recall you did a nice job on re-doing your table top, mine has "crackles" in it, want to try to save it if I can.
Do you think the heater was original? I'm a little nervous about working with propane. I saw that someone took their stove to an RV place to be tested, maybe I'll go that route.
This is such a great site with such great people! Thanks!
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Post by Hamlet on Feb 8, 2014 8:15:30 GMT -8
We're glad you're considering a full resto. Isn't it interesting how these little guys grow on you? We've started out on Vintage Shasta Trailer Forum (predecessor to this one) just a few weeks after Brian started it in 2009. We have read probably ten thousand (at least) posts in that time. We have never heard anyone finish a difficult restoration and then say they were sorry they did it You may never get the full "ROI" but if you look at the time and money you spend as recreation and learning, then you don't have to worry about breaking even. Sorta like going to Vegas. What you get underneath the skin is really a craps shoot.
Anyhow, we look forward to pictures. Don't worry about storing stuff for a while. It took us a year and a half to finish Hamlet.
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Post by vikx on Feb 8, 2014 21:21:34 GMT -8
Not sure if the heater is original. I've seen them in older trailers and they are still here and there... It might not be a vented heater (no chimney) which could cause CO issues if there isn't adequate venting like a window cracked. If it isn't vented, a safer unit would be the Wave 3.
The table top was "filled" with resin. It had been badly warped and the resin leveled it most of the way. It still is a little off, but the laminate was saved. Takes at least two people, one to stir the other to pour. If bubbles form, a propane torch is used to get the resin to flow and the bubbles dissipate.
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SusieQ
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'62 Shasta Compact
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Post by SusieQ on Mar 22, 2014 19:55:39 GMT -8
Great stove top and icebox. The knobs on the stove are awesome. The ice box looks like you could open it up and find a glass bottle of milk in it; I love the handle/latch.
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CorvettCrzy
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'58 Corvette, '64 Franklin
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Post by CorvettCrzy on Mar 22, 2014 20:05:42 GMT -8
Update: After much discussion I thought we had decided on minimal investment. Seal it up, replace floor and 1 rotted wall, something inexpensive for the ceiling and paint the rest. We had went back and forth, it was a difficult decision. Then I started to re-do the windows, which are looking really good, and I showed Jim (hubby) a photo history of a rebuild. We laid low for a couple of weeks and then Jim headed to the barn. Next thing I know: The rotten side comes off DSCN2168 by Corvett crzy, on Flickr He draws the curve back on the "good" side and cuts it out, all while I'm feverishly trying to figure out if we are going to be able to replace the rear skin. DSCN2239 by Corvett crzy, on Flickr Well..... I guess the flat back is gone........... DSCN2242 by Corvett crzy, on Flickr Oh honey..... look how rotten those side boards are............. and if we're going to replace those, we might as well re-paint the frame........ camera apr 30 14 163 by Corvett crzy, on Flickr So much for the Patch & Paint............ I better get busy trying to find alum. and get a title... he's on a roll.......... by the end of a four day stint he was off buying repair parts for the axle.............
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CorvettCrzy
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Posts: 934
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'58 Corvette, '64 Franklin
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Post by CorvettCrzy on Mar 24, 2014 19:04:33 GMT -8
I know most of you could do this in your sleep, but this is my first finished project (sort of) and I'm pretty proud of it. I was going to wait to post my progress until I was finished with all the windows, but I couldn't resist.
T25 by Corvett crzy, on Flickr
T27 by Corvett crzy, on Flickr
T21 by Corvett crzy, on Flickr
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71kcfdcapt
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1958 16' Santa Fe
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Post by 71kcfdcapt on Mar 24, 2014 20:40:07 GMT -8
Window looks great, we were amazed how good ours looked after rebuilding. Keep it up!
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txoil
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1960 Shasta Deluxe 19
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Post by txoil on Mar 25, 2014 2:28:00 GMT -8
Great job so far! Have you tested that rear window for water tight integrity? The actual glass seals may leak, so lay it down flat and pour water on the glass to see if it seeps through to the other side...if it does you will need to remove the glass and replace the glass seal. Better to do it now then find out it leaks when you've reinstalled it.
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