Custom (1:1 Scale)

So one of the reasons I’ve been mostly absent from here is I’ve taken up a custom that will take most of my time, but mostly - all of my money.

The wife and I have talked for a while about getting an airstream and effectively living in it as we travel the country seeing the national parks and whatnot. When retirement comes we will probably live in it on a piece of land in the middle of nowhere.

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Illustration for article titled Custom (1:1 Scale)

(Wife peaking from the doorway)

Anywho, we found an awesome deal. Airstreams carry a pretty hefty price tag compared to other rv trailers. Amazingly we found this one for (only) $4,000. Usually you would find something similar for double the price.

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Illustration for article titled Custom (1:1 Scale)

It’s a 24 footer and is from 1973, we think... 70’s either way. The thing that sold me on it is the windows are good, the aluminum exterior panels are good, and the exterior lights are good. The interior... well that was a different story.

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It’s important to note that a totally gutted airstream would still go for double what we paid for, so gutting the interior wasn’t really a bad thing for us.

Here are some shots of the inside. There was mold everywhere and the subfloor was wrecked...

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Illustration for article titled Custom (1:1 Scale)
Illustration for article titled Custom (1:1 Scale)
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With that, the demolition began. We were going to take EVERYTHING out.

After a few weeks here is where it stands as of this afternoon.

Illustration for article titled Custom (1:1 Scale)
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Totally gutted, nothing left but some bits of glued-on fiberglass insulation

Illustration for article titled Custom (1:1 Scale)
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Looking to the front

Illustration for article titled Custom (1:1 Scale)
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A lot came out of this thing...

Illustration for article titled Custom (1:1 Scale)
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She feels so much lighter! I’ll keep you guys updated as I go along, it’s going to be a very long process (mainly so I can save up the funds to do this thing right).

Overall the plan is to effectively restomod this bad boy. Making it livable, but with modern tech. Getting rid of the entire propane system, adding solar panels, mostly electric appliances, updated bathroom, etc. Also throwing in a wood-burning stove for emergencies out in the wild ;)

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Anywho, keep at it LaLD! Loving all the posts from our new members as well.