Post by gryffendorfen on Jul 5, 2014 14:35:39 GMT -8
Greetings!
Meet Lemon Drop, a 1962 Shasta Airflyte. As she was being delivered to my home on a trailer bed, and I behind her, I kept thinking to myself: What in the world am I doing?!?!
You see, her purchase was a hasty decision, as well as my desire to restore her. Just last week, I started searching for a place to flop when I visit the Adirondacks in NY. I started by looking at new travel trailers, but I found them expensive, poorly constructed, and uninspiring. Early in my search, I stumbled on a photo of a restored, early 60's Shasta Compact, and I was immediately enamored. It was funky, cool, and unique. And although I had no prior experience in restoration or carpentry, I was up for the challenge.
I did a quick search of "Shasta" on Craigslist, and there she was: a 1962 Shasta Airflyte. The listing had only one photo, and it was not at all flattering. She was dwarfed by trees that cast eerie shadows across her, and her top was coated with black grime. I was not optimistic.
Nonetheless, I drove two hours to the owner's home to check it out. She would become the first Shasta I stepped into or even seen up close. I was nervous and excited at the same time. Could this be the one? When I opened the door, the air enveloped me with heat and dust. The clutter had expanded to very surface. My immediate thought: turn around and run! Then I thought, wait, are those the original dinette seats? Are those the original appliances?! light fixtures?!! magazine rack?!!! canvas for the hammock bed?!!! the owner's manual?!!!!
I had to have her. But I'm a haggler by nature, and this time was no different. As I marched back to the owner's house, I repeated to myself: poker face, poker face, poker face. As I approached the owner, he yelled out, "So what'cha think?" Then it slipped out, without any thought: "That's a fair price. I'll take her!!!"
Below are several photos of Lemon Drop. Please take a tour. The photos were taken after I cleaned her and removed the fixtures, dinette seats, etc. Let me know if you have any thoughts or suggestions.
Meet Lemon Drop, a 1962 Shasta Airflyte. As she was being delivered to my home on a trailer bed, and I behind her, I kept thinking to myself: What in the world am I doing?!?!
You see, her purchase was a hasty decision, as well as my desire to restore her. Just last week, I started searching for a place to flop when I visit the Adirondacks in NY. I started by looking at new travel trailers, but I found them expensive, poorly constructed, and uninspiring. Early in my search, I stumbled on a photo of a restored, early 60's Shasta Compact, and I was immediately enamored. It was funky, cool, and unique. And although I had no prior experience in restoration or carpentry, I was up for the challenge.
I did a quick search of "Shasta" on Craigslist, and there she was: a 1962 Shasta Airflyte. The listing had only one photo, and it was not at all flattering. She was dwarfed by trees that cast eerie shadows across her, and her top was coated with black grime. I was not optimistic.
Nonetheless, I drove two hours to the owner's home to check it out. She would become the first Shasta I stepped into or even seen up close. I was nervous and excited at the same time. Could this be the one? When I opened the door, the air enveloped me with heat and dust. The clutter had expanded to very surface. My immediate thought: turn around and run! Then I thought, wait, are those the original dinette seats? Are those the original appliances?! light fixtures?!! magazine rack?!!! canvas for the hammock bed?!!! the owner's manual?!!!!
I had to have her. But I'm a haggler by nature, and this time was no different. As I marched back to the owner's house, I repeated to myself: poker face, poker face, poker face. As I approached the owner, he yelled out, "So what'cha think?" Then it slipped out, without any thought: "That's a fair price. I'll take her!!!"
Below are several photos of Lemon Drop. Please take a tour. The photos were taken after I cleaned her and removed the fixtures, dinette seats, etc. Let me know if you have any thoughts or suggestions.
