1956 Model 1500 Shasta (pre-wing)

Owner: Phil & Reneé Montano

Location: Littleton, CO

We searched at least 6 states over about a 3 year period looking for the perfect size and shape of vintage trailer. We weren’t exactly sure what we wanted, we just wanted it to be cozy. My son Josh called me one Saturday morning and said “Dad, I found your trailer!” It was parked on the side of the road literally less than 5 miles from our house. We went down that afternoon to look at it, called the number and made an offer. So much for the rubbernecking every junk yard across the region. The first thing we did was hop on the internet and search for resources, parts, forums, etc. I really only had to use three sites to get all we would ever need to get started - vintageshastas.com, retrorestoration.com and vintagetrailersupply.com. I guess there were a few others but not nearly as helpful as these.

Once we determined there was no way I was going to actually be able to do most of the work, I called my uncle Leonard in Albuquerque, NM who happens to be an expert woodworker and told him what I had found and he immediately wanted to help restore it. I also called my Aunt Lu (who is an upholstery pro) to persuade her into helping us out with cushions and curtains. She can’t say no to her God son. I had no idea that Leonard has always wanted to restore one for himself. My Gramps (his dad) used to build them.

I purchased a 1966 14 ft. Shasta from the same lady we bought ours from and gave it to him in trade for some of the labor involved. Titling them was a nightmare I would rather not even bore anyone with. After all of the parts, fixtures, appliances, fabric, wood, lights, tires, wheels, etc. were found, the final step was to call Larry Hill at Retro Restoration to see if he would be willing to replace the skin, fix the windows and paint it 2-tone.

Once I got everyone on board, my cousin Pete and I drove it to Albuquerque, duct tape and all, to Leonard's for the rebuild of the century. He worked though the winter tearing it down to the floor. Throughout the process he learned more than anyone ever needs to know about a rebuild of a vintage trailer. I think his words were “It would have been a lot easier and faster if I built one from scratch.” I won’t mention the few choice words I could hear now and then all the way in Colorado. You know the kid in the back seat of a car on a road trip that says...”Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?” I was that kid, except “are we there yet?” was “Is it done yet?”

He gutted the inside first, then removed the paneling, replaced most all of the framework, including customizing solid one piece front wall sections, engineering the queen size cargo/bed section so it has no vertical support beams in the way of large cargo yet supports properly, after he wired it he insulated it. Oh, did I mention the bent A-Frame he had to straighten? Truth is, this entire story could be about just the work he put into this trailer. My son Josh and I delivered his 66 to him and stayed for 5 days helping with ours.

Larry H. was a big help with guidance on proper framework for the skin. He even went to my uncles house to review the work before skinning it. I can tell you one thing, this trailer is SOLID, we are all well aware that if the framework is weak, it’s all pointless. The pictures don’t do Leonard's work justice, and if a picture says 1,000 words, that should tell you how amazing this trailer is.

Larry did an amazing job on stripping the windows, replacing the glass and screens, re-skinning it with a light cream aluminum (and original 6” brake pattern), putting on all of the new lights and painting the lower half with a muted sage green Renee and I picked.

Some of the finishing details include: A maple interior with a white pickled finish, a thick custom inset-panel entry door, a screen door that is customized for the door handles, fiberglass cabinet door panels, a stainless steel backsplash, a bamboo floor, and last but not least, solid surface counter and table tops with pinstriping along the edges. The counter even has an abstract representation of a river next to the sink. The cushions are sage green with small white dots, the curtains are dark sage in two layers to keep out the light. The fixtures and accents all have a vintage flare. We simplified the cabin by not putting in a stove, heater, or propane fixtures. Everything is portable with no hassle.

We realize our 56 is pretty modern but we managed to combine modern materials and function while maintaining the vintage feel.

Philip Montano

Design Shop
phillip@the-designshop.com
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Many thanks go to the "Z-TEAM"!

Camping at Buena Vista!