It turns out that finding an Airstream with the right level of cost to deterioration ratio was hard to do. We were beaten to the punch on several opportunities as people jump on the nicer ones. We had a tight budget that made it even more difficult. Finally, a nice guy said he would hold onto it so we could drive to upstate New York and check his out. Jackpot! We were so happy to have someone willing help us that we bought it and towed it home.
Once we got our treasure home to family property in New England, we started to investigate what exactly we had gotten ourselves into. To some this would be a great opportunity for restoration since most of the original structures and appliances are present. Every surface, corner, crevice had filth and evidence of mice.
Stylish avocado counters, tiny sink, propane oven and stove top. The oven is full of mouse droppings and urine. Gross! The oven and burners work. That is the good. The bad is that my wife was throwing up after the urine caught and was burning off in the stove. Oven cleaner helped but days of burning and cleaning at 500 degrees and hosing it out several times between firings are what worked in the end. Days and days of gut wrenching stench and gagging.
Another shot of the same showing the furnace and the dog.
Overhead lights were discolored, melted and full of dead stuff and droppings. Every bit of the vinyl is sticky like fly paper. You can also see the partition to the bedroom.
Propane/electric fridge from Sweden and skinny pantry both full of rot, mold and mouse leavings. The smell was terrible but it also was in working condition.
Sink with cover and old dishes that may or may not have come with the travel trailer.
Fold out gaucho couch in purple and brown plaid and under storage bins.
Previous owners custom constructed foam bed full of mouse waste and mouse nests.
The closets. These are actually pretty great but we are going to need this space for other things.
Toilet and wet bath. Sit on the toilet and shower anyone? Everything is yellowed and or broken here. I am worried the floor under the cracked shower/bathroom floor will be rotten.
Looking through the dark cave back towards the hitch and big windows. It felt dark dirty and small.
Curtain rail and another shot of that amazingly ugly and mouse smelling cushion fabric.
The bathroom counter and storage.
View from gaucho couch into the dark area. We felt squeezed and hemmed in with the dark paneling and sectioned off areas.
The bathroom after removing a wall. to the left is a closet that has the power converter and plumbing. Power and plumbing? Hmmm…
The retro 70’s stuff with all the complimentary mold, mouse urine and feces made for a smelly and closed in space. Since we have a family source of free wood to rebuild and restyle and it would be primarily sweat equity for the basic construction, we decided to redesign the interior to our specifications and building capabilities. Demolition work next!
Airstream_Wheeler 