Shasta? Help please!

[isuzusponge]

So I bought this beautiful little trailer about 6 months ago without doing enough research. Was told it was believed to have been a 57 Shasta Compact. Title was redone in 98 as a homebuilt. Original vin's are no longer present. I'm positive it isn't a homebuilt, so I'm assuming all old records were missing and they defaulted to reregistering it with new numbers. All identifiable interior parts are gone. It's 9 1/2 feet long and 7 feet wide. I have had some questionable responses from other Shasta enthusiasts as to any existence of a compact prior to 1960. I've also looked at hundreds of vintage trailers with the hope of finding another with no luck. Any input would be greatly appreciated. What do you guys think?

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[schweetcruisers]

I can tell you without a doubt, it's not a Shasta. What it is, I am not sure, there is a manufacture that did the doors that way, with the vertical skin breaks.

[Deleted]

SB, Where ARE you??!!

Sure do miss Bruce...

Whatever make that is it is cute lil sunuvagun. Hope you will share more with us.

[isuzusponge]

Does anyone know the answer of whether or not they made aCompact or smaller version prior to the evers-so-popular 62ish body style compact?

[isuzusponge]

Here's a front shot.

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[isuzusponge]

And, not that it helps find the answer to my question, here's the inside. At least you all can understand why there is nothing recognizable left on the inside.

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[isuzusponge]

Bed in back.

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[schweetcruisers]

Based on this thread you have a 1956 Fireball

vintageshasta.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=sobforsale&action=display&thread=7381

Look familiar? Unfortunately only one picture was saved.

Shasta did not make a Compact prior to 1960, they had a smaller trailer known as the 1400, but the Compact did not come about until the 60's.

[isuzusponge]

That's awesome info! Thanks schweetcruizers! Gosh, I'm really surprised the paint scheme could be near original style. I thought some cross-eyed painter was trying to copy Shasta's design. Lol!

[Deleted]

Does look that way eh?

You are right, the interior really does not give much of a clue...looks like it possibly was changed a tad. Still is a sweet little unit...

[Hamlet]

Also the windows are not the same, but if there was more than one model year, it's entirely possible that the manufacturer changed them slightly. Cute little trailer!

[isuzusponge]

With the help of Schweetcruisers response and link, it appears that this same trailer was built between 1950 and 1956. Made in California, but out of business now. Not a huge following like Shastas, and apparently, not many survived the times either. And , I'm pretty sure they don't have their own forum full of helpful enthusiasts....thanks everyone. Please keep the info coming.

[mobiltec]

For the most part, they are all the same in the 50s. The hardware is all the same stuff. Just different floor plans. Same framing. Some built from solid plywood or pressboard. The rest have the same types of framing. Some more framing than others. Shastas have the least of everything! They all have the same aluminum. Some with different break patterns. Same lights. Same propane lines. Same plumbing. Same floors.

Just like cars. The basics are all the same. Only thing that changes is the decore.

[isuzusponge]

I understand Larry, but I didn't want to go around calling it a Shasta, just based on what the previous owners thought, if that truely wasn't what it was. Although I'm a little sad I didn't come across some super rare pre-60's Compact, I'm really excited to know what I truelly have!

[mobiltec]

And it's a beauty too! I love smaller trailers. I'm just about ready to start in on a Tear Drop from the late 40s. It will be my first.

[isuzusponge]

Thanks. I'm pretty excited about it. Even though I would've preferred an original interior . A teardrop, that should be a cake walk for you. Aren't you the same Mobiltec that does the YouTube videos?

[mobiltec]

Mar 26, 2013 2:28:11 GMT -5 isuzusponge said:

Thanks. I'm pretty excited about it. Even though I would've preferred an original interior . A teardrop, that should be a cake walk for you. Aren't you the same Mobiltec that does the YouTube videos?

Yes I am. But I have never done a complete Shasta untill now and believe me it has been no cake walk. I came to this forum in search of the answer to one question which I never did find the answer for. It's a great forum and if I had come here in the beginning and studied it, I would have turned this trailer down or offered to do a complete off-frame rebuild and I would have charged so much that the owner would have surely passed. These early 1500s have so many things wrong with them right from the factory that I will never do another one.

[isuzusponge]

Ouch! Be careful with the Shasta blasphemy! There could be an uprising on this forum. Lol. That's surprising that that is your first. I thought you had an entire video series on a Shasta?

[mobiltec]

I do. It's not finished yet. Just about though. It's an ongoing series. I think the funniest part is the demolition. These things practically take themselves apart.

Blastphemy? Everyone here knows about the leakage problems of the earlier models. It's like a big joke around here. Nothing new. But every trailer that has passed through these pages has had a lot of hard work and love put into them. And all these kind folks were good enough to post all the different ways of dealing with every little problem one could come across here except one. How do deal with the wheels and tires. I'm saving that one for last.

[safetybruce]

Here is a rear pic of the Fireball Schweet posted.

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