Gallery

1962 Shasta

Astrodome

Sometimes buying a half finished project can be a good buy, but then sometimes it might not.  In some cases, such as in this 62 Astrodome, it cost more to finish than it would have to start with an unrestored original.  In this case, the restoration consisted of gutting the trailer and redoing all of the paneling (nice stained finish) and floor, and some new wiring, all it needed was the "furniture put back in.  However, everything inside was missing!  Building the cabin is actually pretty simple, building cabinetry is time consuming (therefore expensive), especially when there is nothing to start with.  Not only did we build every bit of cabinetry to match what would have been original, we had to supply all of the appliances, sink, water tank, light fixtures, seat frames, table... the list seemed endless.  After we pulled the skin, we noticed a lot of the structure had not been done correctly, and the wiring was not done safe (no fuses or breaker box).  We had to re-do a lot of what had already been done.

We started by replacing the flooring that had been replaced... they had just used cheap big box vinyl sheet that was bubbling up everywhere, we laid a black and white checkerboard in the correct 9" tiles.  We then built every cabinet from scratch.  From my stock of used parts we found a period correct turquoise sink, stove and range hood, and used a NOS sheet of discontinued coral boomerang laminate for the counter and table top.  We used one of our retro Frigidaire fridges, and we added AC above it.  For the upholstery we built new seat frames with hinges, just like Shasta built them and covered them in a combo of turquoise and coral.  In the back, we added a custom built innerspring mattress on a permanent bed frame, not the gaucho bed it would have come with.

While it may not have been the best way to go in the first place, the good news is the owner now has essentially a brand new 1962 Shasta Astrodome for less money than any brand new trailer on the market.