New member looking for advice on Shasta Compact search

  First, I'm no expert but I've learned a lot since acquiring one.  Check out the "THE HUNT" section in this forum.
Compacts official manufacturing year was 1960, some are said to be 1959's. The shape and layout changed in 1964, but some 1963's still had the more rounded shape.   Some have birch interiors and a few, like mine have ash.   A good restoration job is much more valuable than a rotted out trailer in my opinion.  It's my belief that the value of a trailer depends on what someone is willing to pay for it.  They are really hot right now. 

This is one of my favorite links with a collection of information on Compacts :
www.freewebs.com/kc8jwa/shastacompact.htm

Good luck.  Can't wait to see what you find.  Also, watch the "For Sale" section, members list not only their own trailers for sale but trailer that they find for sale.

Editing my original comment here.  The shape and layout change can be found in 65's and sometimes 64's.  A '63 should still be round.  I knew that, because I thought I had '63 before I found documentation that it was '62.  Sorry, I'm a little dyslexic with numbers, maybe a lot!  

SusieQ,

Lula Belle is titled as a '64 and still has the rounded shape. I thought the change to the more rectangular Compact was '65?

Here's a cool picture from the inside side of the skin, this is one of the panels next to the front window. It says "128 pieces 7/31/1963." I take that to mean they made 128 of those panels in late July, 63, so they were planning on making a few more Compacts after that!



OP: good luck! They're out there. I prefer the shape and the interior of the rounded ones.

Hi Mike - welcome to the forum!

Picking a Compact is going to be a matter of your personal taste and appetite for rebuilding/restoring - or paying out some pretty big bucks for one already restored/rebuilt or being very lucky and stumbling across a trailer that's been kept inside (we see it - but it's getting rarer). I do think it's like buying any other collectible - I wouldn't do it for an investment or even thinking I'd get my money back and break even - but that's me.

Yes, canned ham shapes are very popular but the late 60's early 70's Compact Shasta's have their share of believers (me included). Just beware that while you can replace the birch in the older canned hams and stain it to look very much like the original - damage to the paneling of the later models is going to require a different strategy - like painting, or replacing with something completely different as it's not possible (to my knowledge and I've tried) to match the paneling in them.

Virtually all canned ham Shasta's from the 1950's have to be 'redone' to some extent. Windows and the vent often (always?) leaked, with water running down corners so even if you can't 'see' the water damage - a peek behind the skin will tell a different tale. Covering up the water stains with brand new birch makes the trailers look pretty - and sometimes the damage is not disclosed. Spend some time here reading the posts and follow links to look at restorations.

If you are going to buy a restored trailer - ask questions - lots of questions.

Good luck in your search.

1964 was a transition year - so there are some with the canned ham look and some the more toaster style.

I am not a restorer - don't have the talent - but there are lots of people here who have done it more than once. And they're very good at what they do.

Barbara