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Post by desertrefinisher on May 31, 2013 17:40:41 GMT -5
Picked up a 1965 Zipper (looks like a '59 shasta compact, I have a thread about it in this section) a couple months ago. More recently acquired a 1984 uhaul 'egg' camper... had been working on both projects at the same time whenever I had time.
Then life happened, and I have family to look after out of state... pretty much immediately. I can only take one camper with me, and the egg was chosen.
The bad: Zipper is dismantled. Completely. Down to the flatbed. Was going for a total overhaul, including sandblasting the frame, but there is no time now. No time for any kind of reconstruction. One upper interior shelf was lost in a recent move, interior paneling is dubious at best. This is a total rebuilt project. One portion of an interior wall was lost to water damage over the years. Have title somewhere, but chain of ownership was broken two sales ago. Title is worthless for registration, good for identification only.
The good: Most parts are still intact. Brand new tires on original rims, some great original parts (hubcaps, lights, windows, etc) Hardboard was purchased to replace interior paneling (intended to spray out with a urethane for a clean bright white interior) and cut to size already. Will make a good template for hardwood paneling. Also have the 'actual' sides as well that I drew the hardboard template from. Ceiling material is gone.
All this is FREE. Location: Bethlehem, PA. Life just took a twisted turn for the worse in my arena, I'm just hoping to god this piece of history isn't scrapped. At the very least, there are some good original parts for use on other campers, and the right person could restore this.
I'm horribly ashamed to try to approach this community with a torn apart 'ham, but I didn't know where else to turn. I have this weekend, and this weekend only, to rehome... leaving the state shortly.
Will post pics here in a minute, but wanted to get the message out there. This is an urgent SOS... hopefully someone can save this guy.
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Post by desertrefinisher on May 31, 2013 17:50:49 GMT -5
The cushions are from the uhaul egg, not the zipper. Also included in all this are a bunch of new 1x2's for framing, seen resting against the wall. Bought a couple bundles of them.
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Post by desertrefinisher on May 31, 2013 17:54:21 GMT -5
This is Zipper before I tore apart. It pains me to look at the old pictures... I really don't want to give him up, but theres just no way to keep him. Between the two, I had to choose the 'egg.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2013 18:30:43 GMT -5
PM sent
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Post by desertrefinisher on May 31, 2013 18:40:13 GMT -5
That PM may have been lost in transit. Maybe my settings on this new Proboards format has messages from users off or something, I'll check.
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Post by desertrefinisher on May 31, 2013 19:11:35 GMT -5
Sent you a PM a few minutes ago, did that one go through? First time using this sites message system, I'm hoping I did it right
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Hamlet
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Posts: 2,241
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Post by Hamlet on May 31, 2013 20:10:51 GMT -5
Please let the rest of us know how this page-turner ends up!
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Post by purplepeep on May 31, 2013 20:19:01 GMT -5
(Zipper) Chris I hope you can help this little camper out! They're so neat!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2013 20:25:04 GMT -5
Probably will end up like a Robin Williams movie...with a bunch of parts scattered all over the Pennsylvania Turnpike and someone in jail with no one at home to bail them out!
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Post by desertrefinisher on May 31, 2013 22:00:55 GMT -5
If this turns out poorly, this entire community has my deepest apologies for obliterating an irreplaceable piece of history. I wish there were a way for me to take both campers, or less of an urgent situation calling me out of state. Life junk punches you sometimes, and at the worst possible moments. If I had gotten the news I received recently about my parent's health two weeks earlier, I wouldn't have the uhaul to fuss over. *wistful sigh* so sorry, guys.
The craigslist post I put up has already generated an astonishing number of responses, and virtually all are metal scrappers i think. One guy seems legit, but I think he is just getting ready for camping season and hoping for a cheap camper. One look at what he'd be getting into would scare the bejeezus out of him.
EDIT: Just one parent is ill and potentially passing, not both. Reread that post and it sounded like they're both in rough shape.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2013 22:10:43 GMT -5
wish I could grab this
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Post by desertrefinisher on May 31, 2013 22:14:48 GMT -5
Wish you could too, smc. Would love to see it go into the right hands, which would really be someone on this forum or someone that would be at home on this forum. I think I found 2, possibly 3 other zippers floating around on the internet. Not many left out there from what I could see.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2013 22:16:51 GMT -5
It ain't over till the fat lady sings...and so far...no fat broads....(that oughta get me banned from the computer....) Still figuring out how to load.
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vikx
3K Post Member
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Post by vikx on Jun 1, 2013 1:24:56 GMT -5
All Right: sayings like "fat broads" and "cat lady" are not allowed. Swearing is OK as are initials... but limited to what *I* like.
Hardi Har Har Har.
I hope you find a home for it, desertrefinisher. I'm very curious.
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Post by desertrefinisher on Jun 1, 2013 11:24:29 GMT -5
I am too, vikx Been brainstorming last night/this morning. A nail biter to be sure.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jun 1, 2013 11:29:12 GMT -5
If we weren't 3000 miles away and in the middle of a distance move this weekend, we'd have done a cross country drive just to get a pal for Hamlet. Projects never scare us. Good luck. And take care of yourself as you care for your parents.
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Post by persimmonpal on Jun 1, 2013 13:14:07 GMT -5
Hi, I sent you a PM. If it is still available, I have some family members (sister in law living in my Father-In-Laws house, right on High Street in Bethlehem. Thy have PLENTY of storage room for all the parts, and plenty of room for the frame. This one will be rebuilt this fall/ winter!!
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Post by desertrefinisher on Jun 1, 2013 19:15:16 GMT -5
Pers, PM'd you. A drop off location 9 minutes away? It was truly meant to be.
What a close one it was... had sorted through the scrappers and a woman was coming in the morning but she was really unsure if she could complete the project... just wanted a cheap camper and was going to wing it. She seemed genuine, but said she was limited in funding and experience.
Thank you, Pers
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2013 19:18:36 GMT -5
Huh.... Suddenly, I feel better....
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Post by desertrefinisher on Jun 1, 2013 19:39:21 GMT -5
Me too, Chris. What a lucky break. Thanks again for your efforts, I can tell any ham in your care is in good hands.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jun 1, 2013 19:51:19 GMT -5
HOORAY!!!!
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Post by purplepeep on Jun 1, 2013 20:19:19 GMT -5
Sniff, I wanted to see her get put back together. I'm glad she found a home though.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2013 20:56:54 GMT -5
Believe me, I want to be the one to put it together...though it would be quite possibly couple years in waiting...behind the Airflyte and all.
For those outside the PM's:
I was packing my underwear in a duffel bag last night as we exchanged messages here, and also spoke on the phone. However, the part that foiled my plan was my wife's sickness, ailing since Wednesday night, and her diabetes just compounds the problems tenfold. Aside from the logistics of traveling on the open road with parts loaded on an open trailer, I could not leave her alone at home with no safety net, and she sure couldn't travel. (She is much better tonight and well on the way to strength again, so the day of rest paid big dividends...)
As relieved as I am to see this possibly coming under the custodial care of someone here, I still will kick myself for a long time for missing the opportunity at such a rare gem.
I think the most important part of the story is bigger than the trailer. It is "only metal and wood...but family first." Publicly I would like to offer my absolute best wishes to Mike as he goes to be with his family in a trying time. That is what is really important.
Life gave me lemons this week, but nowhere near the ones he will be dealing with.
I'll share a tale from my younger days.....I was probably 7 or 8 years old, and staying with my grandparents for the summer. One day, Grandma told me to ask Grandpa about the lemons.
Me: "Grandpa, what about the lemons?"
Grandpa: "What happens when life gives you lemons?"
Me: "Lemonade!" (Thinking we were going out to make some and ice it down real well...)
Grandpa: "Nope."
Me: *quizzical look...*
Grandpa:" No, soon you will have had your fill of lemonade. Instead you should grab one of them, cut it into sections, and turn and squirt life in the f***ing EYE! SCREW that lemonade!!"
I have no idea what the conversation was after I got shooed out the door.....but we made grape Koolaid that day....
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Post by persimmonpal on Jun 2, 2013 5:11:15 GMT -5
Pers, PM'd you. A drop off location 9 minutes away? It was truly meant to be. What a close one it was... had sorted through the scrappers and a woman was coming in the morning but she was really unsure if she could complete the project... just wanted a cheap camper and was going to wing it. She seemed genuine, but said she was limited in funding and experience. Thank you, Pers Thank Me??? No really, Thank YOU! I want to go on record and assure you and everyone else on the board that this camper will be lovingly restored.. I will of course post lots of pics too! I will start researching interiors of the Zipper campers, so I can get it close to original. If anyone owns a similar Zipper I would LOVE to see some pics! Thanks again desertrefinisher.. I wish there was something I could give you in return!! Think about it and let me know!
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Post by desertrefinisher on Jun 2, 2013 10:36:24 GMT -5
Don't thank me just yet... you're taking on a project that was started by an over-enthusiastic and wildly inexperienced guy, without the benefit of proper documentation on tear down (some pics, but should have taken more)... you'll be getting your hands dirty to be sure! I hope you have as much fun as I have had so far though, its been a blast. Except getting the old stick on floor tiles up. That was... that was just awful. Lol. The tires are new (yay!) The hubs have not been touched, no bearings repacked etc. (aww..) Had a trailer guy lined up to do all that, not even sure if it really needs done. Just assumed that's what you do after its been sitting for ages . Was going to sandblast/recoat the frame as well. There's surface oxidation but no real damage... feels solid as superman. The one upper interior cabinet that is missing sounds like the most detailed woodworking you'll do. The other is in good shape to 'mirror'. Skin came with minor dings everywhere.Its been painted, originally seems powder coated neon lime green and baby blue. It was the sixties There's like 4 bundles of 1x2's, should be enough for the entire ceiling and wall framing. Will at least get you real close.
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Post by desertrefinisher on Jun 2, 2013 11:33:08 GMT -5
Also, Chris, I somehow overlooked your entire lengthly post. The story had me literally laughing out loud, sounds like quite a man Don't kick yourself too hard now, it just means more attention for the hams you have now The best to you and yours!
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Post by persimmonpal on Jun 2, 2013 16:41:39 GMT -5
Great story indeed Chris! I want to thank Mike again for the zipper... I can't wait to get it up here and start on it... Do a total inventory, etc.i have an extra Astral fridge, and I think I saw the Magic Chef cooktop, so appliances are taken care of!! I want this one to be around for a long long time... Definitely going to take my time and do it the best I can.
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Gone Kayaking
1K Post Member
long live the Vintage Shasta Trailer Forum....we're gone but you are not forgotten!
Posts: 1,600
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Post by Gone Kayaking on Jun 2, 2013 23:13:37 GMT -5
I love this forum. A story like this is reason enough not to go elsewhere and try to recreate this community.
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Post by persimmonpal on Jun 3, 2013 3:01:35 GMT -5
Agreed Gone Kayaking.. The coolest nicest people come on here... I live in Boston but My Father in law has a house just down the road from desertrefinisher, so he just hauled it right over, put it right into the garage.. My relatives said he was a super cool guy.. I feel guilty taking it, so I offered some money, but wha I really want to do is restore this thing to the absolute best of my ability, so it wont get lost to time like it seems most of the other Zippers out there. I am sure I will be on here asking lots of questions, and of course posting lots of pics! I currenly have a S.O.B., and I joined a group devoted to them.... although I got some nice greetings, I got my shate of folks who came off as arrogant, that I hadnt "earned" my place on the forum yet... Turns me off.. I love this forum!
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Gone Kayaking
1K Post Member
long live the Vintage Shasta Trailer Forum....we're gone but you are not forgotten!
Posts: 1,600
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Post by Gone Kayaking on Jun 3, 2013 17:26:31 GMT -5
Well here's a thought. don't know if you heard about the gal Staci out in Colorado who lost her trailer and nearly her life this past weekend out in Colorado. She had a votive candle going and it caught the curtains on fire. No fire extinguisher. She left to get something to put it out and by the time she arrived back it was an inferno....went inside to rescue her dog and seconds later the propane and electical caused it to explode. She is in the hospital in critical condition but is expected to recover, doggy is also gonna be okay. Long story short there's a paypal fund set up for her so that she can get another trailer....so maybe the fitting way to repay this wonderful karma is to keep it going by donating to her fund www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=YZMMH8Q8UFDMG For folks on FB it's described in the Tin Can Tourists website www.facebook.com/groups/tincantourists/10152827281430632/?comment_id=10152834265530632¬if_t=like
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